NHL Predictions Today: Odds, Picks & Best Bets for Monday, Oct. 19

I’m featuring three of the four games in my NHL predictions today. 

I like Martin Necas and Nazem Kadri to get on the scoresheet in the City of Brotherly Love against the reeling Philadelphia Flyers, along with backing Leo Carlsson to continue his success at Madison Square Garden. 

Last but certainly not least, Auston Matthews will look to continue lighting the lamp against the San Jose Sharks.

NHL predictions today: Oct. 19

See all of our experts’ NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.

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Best NHL bet today

Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 points (-113 via FanDuel)

Kadri enters on a three-game assist streak, and he has tallied six points in eight games. Kadri, Gabriel Landeskog, and Brock Nelson had a 68.7% expected goals share against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the most of all four lines, and the Avalanche haven’t played since Friday. 

I’m also keen to point out Kadri’s recent success against the Flyers, as he has 11 points in the previous 10 meetings, including at least one point in five of the last six. 

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Martin Necas Over 0.5 assists (+100 via FanDuel)

Necas was exquisite against the Penguins on Friday, notching three assists. He rarely looked to shoot, preferring to set up linemates Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen. Necas took only one shot attempt but threaded the needle to create several Grade A scoring chances.

He has four assists in the previous four games and carries a two-game assist streak against the Flyers into this one. Necas hasn’t registered a helper on the road, which is somewhat surprising. I expect that streak to end against a Flyers team with the second-worst expected goals against. 

Leo Carlsson Over 0.5 assists (+140 via BetMGM)

BetMGM offers the best price by a wide margin, and Carlsson’s +140 odds to register a helper are one of the main reasons I’m locking it in. Of course, there are other compelling factors, as Carlsson has seven apples in as many games. 

While he has only one assist in the previous three games, Carlsson tallied two assists in the last three away encounters. 

He has an excellent track record against the New York Rangers, with seven assists in the previous four meetings. That includes five assists in the last two contests at Madison Square Garden.

Auston Matthews anytime goal (+120 via BetMGM)

Matthews is off to a solid start, scoring six goals in nine games. He netted at least one in five of the previous seven contests. His three-game goal-scoring streak ended against the New York Islanders on Saturday. 

I’m most drawn to this pick because of Matthews’ goal-scoring exploits against the Sharks. He has 14 goals in 16 meetings, including three in the last four. Matthews enters on a two-game goal-scoring streak against San Jose, which allows 3.5 goals per game, the ninth-most.