NHL Playbook: Betting Lines, Odds & Picks For Thursday, Oct. 20

NHL Betting Lines, Odds & Picks for Thursday

Thursday in the NHL offers us a massive slate of 12 games to get through, and that means a lot of value to be found on the board if you investigate hard enough. Of course, the BetQL model also has its picks for this week, and that is not something you want to miss with how well the model has done over the past year.

The model has gone 304-241-0 (56% win) on 3-Star and higher NHL spread bets of $100 in the last 365 days, so be sure to check out the model's best bets for tonight. BetQL subscribers can see more betting trends and all of our best bets with star ratings for every pick.

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The Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins are two teams that are going in totally opposite directions to start the season. The Ducks have been brutal out of the gates, getting absolutely crushed in multiple contests so far. In fact, they are getting outshot in the early going by almost 19 shots per game, which is astounding. While the offense hasn't been that great, it's the defense that has been the real problem. Anaheim is allowing about five goals per game, which makes them an auto fade almost on a nightly basis.

Boston meanwhile, is having a fun go of it early this year. The offense has been explosive, averaging over five goals per contest. The defense could be better, as they are allowing almost four goals per game and 33 shots against on a nightly basis, but the offense has made up for their defensive shortcomings so far.

PICK: Boston PL -1.5

This game is pretty disgusting to be honest. The Predators and Blue Jackets have really failed to impress in the early going, with neither team giving me any reason to trust them. Nashville has been the more competitive team so far, but they still have been pretty atrocious in their four games. The offense has been very bad, scoring a measly 2.40 goals per game, while the defense has been okay at best. Nothing impressive here.

Columbus needs some serious help just about everywhere. The offense for this team was supposed to be good following the addition of Johnny Gaudreau, but they have been a massive disappointment, averaging just 2.25 goals per game thus far. Defensively has been just as bad, as Columbus is allowing over four goals per contest. It's been ugly.

PICK: I wouldn't bet the game honestly, but if I had to pick a side, maybe Columbus if they are getting plus money. Both these teams aren't impressive, so I'll take the value where it lies.

Here's another game that isn't going to make people jump out of their seats to go to the betting window. Washington and Ottawa haven't been impressive in the early going, with Washington being the better team so far. I say that pretty mildly, as they have been the epitome of average in the early going. They have allowed, and scored, the same average of goals per game, and their record is 2-2 as of this writing. It doesn't get more bland than that.

Ottawa is a forgotten team in the NHL nowadays because they haven't been competitive in years. They have some nice pieces that could help them compete soon, but it appears they aren't quite there yet. Defensively, they have been a mess, allowing four goals per game. The offense has been pretty good, but they can't keep up with that awful defense.

PICK: Ugh, another one where I would probably just take the best value. Washington will probably win, but plus money on the Sens is hard to ignore.

This could be as bad as it gets folks. The Coyotes somehow just beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, even though they have now beat them nine of the last 10 meetings between the teams. They own Toronto, but to the rest of the league, this is the lowest of the low. Arizona is just plain bad, offensively and defensively. They allow close to five goals per game, and nothing about their offense is scary.

Montreal is right there with Arizona on the list of teams you don.t want to watch. We are talking about an offense that is as bad as the Denver Broncos here, scoring just two goals per game on average and really struggling to get anything going. Defensively, they have been pretty good, allowing close to three goals per game, but that doesn't matter when they can't find the back of the net.

PICK: Don't watch and don't bet, that's my advise. But I have to give a pick, so I'll take Montreal at the best price available.

I hardly have to discuss this game. San Jose is like watching your car get an oil change at the garage through the waiting room window, and then discovering afterwards that they put the wrong type in. They are boring, tiresome to watch and leave you frustrated when the game is over. They are averaging just 1.60 goals per game, the worst mark in the NHL. Avert your eyes from the destruction that is about to commence.

Igor at the garden? New York should have no trouble wiping the floor with this pitiful Sharks team, and if they don't, then what are you going to do? The Ranger offense has been terrific and the defense has been much of the same. This is a no-brainer.

PICK: Take New York on the PL -1.5 or alt line -2.5 and forget

This is a better matchup than some of the other contests tonight, but still not overly exciting. The Kings are starting to build themselves a team after the dynasty years of the early 2010s, but they still have some time to go before they get back to being great. The defense, which has always been what the team is known for, has taken a huge step back. They are allowing over four goals per game, which won't get it done.

Pittsburgh has been red-hot offensively out of the gates, scoring close to five goals per game to begin the season. They have also been terrific defensively, allowing just over two goals per game on that end. I don't know how much longer Sidney Crosby has playing at an elite level, but this could be his last chance at a championship with his Penguins.

PICK: Pittsburgh PL -1.5

My god the Maple Leafs are disappointing. Is this any surprise though? They have been doing this for years, and losing to the hapless Coyotes in their last game was just the pinnacle of Maple Leaf hockey. The offense has been average at best, which for a team with this much talent, should not be the case. They have been sound on defense, but there is just something about this team that is such a downer.

Meanwhile, Dallas may be the hottest team in the NHL right now. They have been crushing opponents, and that has led them to an undefeated start to the season at 3-0. The offense has been fantastic, scoring over four goals per game, while the defense has been the best in hockey. The Stars are allowing just ONE goal per game in the early going. That isn't sustainable, but it is great nonetheless.

PICK: Even though Dallas has looked like the far superior team, Toronto is better on paper and more talented. I need to see more from Dallas before I buy in. Take Toronto at the best number.

This is a game that I think legitimately could be the best game of the night. The New Jersey Devils, despite their record and the final score of their games, have been dominating their games to this point. They are outshooting their opponents 39 to 22 in the early going, but they are allowing four goals per game and scoring under three per game. It's a little wild actually how good they have looked, but they have been losing soundly.

New York is a team that I have been high on for years now, and I am pretty high on them again this year. They have been averaging about the same amount of shots for and against as New Jersey, but their luck has been far better. They are scoring over four goals per game, while allowing just two. This is a good Islanders team that I think can be a real competitor in 2022.

PICK: This is a tough one, but I like the Islanders goaltending far more than the Devils. Give me New York here.

I've never seen a team open the season needing the Heimlich maneuver as badly as the Canucks have needed it. They have choked away a 2+ goal lead in every game they have played so far this season, which is incredible. Their defense has been very poor, especially late in games, allowing over four goals per game. Vancouver has actually looked like a really good team, until they get to the third period.

Minnesota has a serious, critical problem on defense. Marc-Andre Fleury has completely lost it, and it looks as though he is a shell of his former self. The defense isn't helping him either, allowing over 35 shots per game. They need to figure it out, and they need to figure it out quick.

PICK: I'll take the Canucks here at plus-money. They have actually looked like the better team so far, they just can't close it out. I'll take a shot that they finally do.

Okay, this line make no sense at all to me. Why are the Oilers favorites here? Connor McDavid doesn't make the team, and Edmonton hasn't looked very good to start the year. They are allowing almost four goals per game, while averaging just over three themselves. The Oilers are another team that has looked just average, and they are playing a team that has been far from it.

Carolina has looked totally dominant to begin the year. They are outshooting their opponents 37 to 25 per game, and they are averaging almost four goals per contest. They are also tied with the Dallas Stars with the best defense in the NHL, allowing just ONE goal per game. The Hurricanes are the better team.

PICK: Take the plus money with Carolina and feel good about it

This could also be another really good game. Buffalo has been surprisingly good to start the season, at least in terms of wins and losses. They are averaging almost four goals per game and allowing just over two per contest. Problem is, they have been outshot by a wide margin in their games so far. Buffalo is allowing 40 shots per game, while only averaging 29 of their own.

Calgary has been very impressive to begin the season, as most would have predicted. The Flames are scoring four goals per game and allowing almost three per game. The difference is that they are outshooting their opponents 36 to 25 to begin the year, dominating the play so far.

PICK: Buffalo has been feisty, but Calgary at home may be too much. I'll take the Flames -1.5.

I'm surprised by how well Vegas is playing to begin the year, especially on defense. They are allowing just two goals per game, while averaging three of their own. They haven't been crushing their opponents, but they have been effective when they need to be. We'll see if they can keep that up through the season.

Winnipeg has been pretty average to begin the year. Nothing special really, allowing the exact same goals per game as they are scoring. I haven't been overly impressed with how they have looked on the ice, and they are allowing far too many shots on goal to begin the year.

PICK: I like Vegas here, and I'll take them on the PL -1.5 for some value