NHL Best Bets (10/26/23): Expert Predictions For Tonight’s Games

Anthony Elio has some NHL best bets for tonight’s slate, which features 11 matchups. Here are 2 of his favorite wager’s for the 10/26/23 pro hockey games.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the most exciting teams to watch early in the season. The team is currently leading the league with 4.86 goals per game thanks largely to an incredible start by Alex DeBrincat. The former Blackhawk leads the league with 9 goals, highlighted by a recent hat trick against the Calgary Flames. Unfortunately, DeBrincat is currently dealing with an illness and is listed as day-to-day. If the star forward doesn’t play tonght, the Red Wings still have capable scorers such as center Dylan Larkin, who has 4 goals and 10 assists to start the season. I also like what I’m seeing from goaltender James Reimer, with the veteran having a successful bounceback (.963 SV %, 1.00 GAA in 2 games) after a tough year with the San Jose Sharks.

The Winnipeg Jets haven’t been too shabby on offense either, averaging 3.33 goals per game in their last 3 matchups. Mark Scheifele leads the team with 7 points and just had a game-winning goal against the Edmonton Oilers. But I’ve got my questions on the defensive side for this team. The Jets have been allowing 3.83 goals per game (29th in the league) and have already allowed 7 power play goals. Usually trustworthy goalie Connor Hellebuyck allowed 10 goals in his first 3 games, and now has a subpar .881 SV% to go with 3.38 GAA. While I’d feel more confident if DeBrincat was confirmed for the game, I’m going to back a hot Detroit team playing at home against a defensively struggling Jets squad.

Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline

Ottawa Senators vs. New York Islanders

The Ottawa Senators are one of those teams I’ve been excited to watch early in the season, especially with the top line of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutlze, and Claude Giroux, which has combined for 7 goals and 18 total points this year. I also liked the addition of Vladimir Tarasenko, who leads the team with 8 points. The Sens rank 4th in the league in both goals per game (4.17) and shots per game (33.83).

But while Ottawa is looking like a top-tier offensive team, tonight will be a true test. The Senators have been successfully picking on sub par goaltending talent (including backups for Tampa Bay and Buffalo), but will face a true Vezina contender tonight in Ilya Sorokin. However, the All-Star goalie hasn’t looked himself the past few games. This matchup will give a clearer picture of Sorokin, who just allowed 10 goals in 2 games after what was looking like another great season. My main concern is that Sorokin’s two rough performances came against talented offensive teams in Colorado and New Jersey.

On the other side, Ottawa doesn’t exactly have a brick wall in the crease as Joonas Korpisalo (.872 SV%, 3.62 GAA) is projected to start tonight. The Islanders don’t have the best offense in the league, but tonight presents an excellent opportunity for players like Brock Nelson (36 goals last season) and former Canucks player Bo Hovrat. It’s tough to pick a side for this game, but I like the value on the over with Ottawa’s offense heating up and Sorokin struggling.

Best Bet: Over 6

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