Check out the NHL odds with our expert picks and predictions for hockey games on Saturday, October 19.
The NHL schedule is packed with action all day long. Our hockey pros have perused the Saturday NHL odds board, and they've got 3 best bets for the following 3 games:
- Capitals vs. Devils (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
- Sabres vs. Blackhawks (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
- Flames vs. Kraken (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Below, check out their NHL best bets, which include 2 moneyline bets and a total with tonight's evening slate of games.
NHL odds for matchups as of Saturday and via ESPN BET. Bet on the NHL with our ESPN BET promo code.
NHL Odds Saturday & Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our NHL betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Capitals vs. Devils
By Nick Martin
Seven games into coach Sheldon Keefe's tenure, the Devils have looked quite good in posting a 5-2-0 record with a +8 goal differential. They also hold a league-leading 59.18% expected goal share. I was very bullish on New Jersey all offseason, and nothing we've seen so far has me questioning that take.
Tonight the Devils (-190) meet the Capitals (+160), who entered the season as a side offering a wide range of outcomes after bringing in a number of big-name skaters who underachieved last season, including Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jakob Chychrun and Andrew Mangiapane.
It's been just three games, so there is still plenty to learn about the Capitals, but the early reports suggest they could be a much-improved side. Washington lost to the Devils on opening night, but the Capitals bounced back with a pair of impressive wins in handing the Knights and Stars their first losses of the season.
In their opening three matchups, the Capitals hold a 56.28% expected goal share, and the eye test would agree that their wins over Dallas and Vegas were well-earned.
A number of the Capitals newcomers have looked good in the early going. Chychrun has been excellent on the Caps' top pairing playing alongside John Carlson. They hold a 64.1% expected goal share in 31.2 minutes together at even strength.
The Capitals' new-look second line of Dubois, Tom Wilson and Connor McMichael has fared well while playing the majority of their minutes against the Stars', Knights' and Devils' top lines.
Jakub Vrana and Andrew Mangiapane have the Capitals' third line looking like it could be much improved compared to a season ago.
This could also be a logical spot for the Devils to turn to backup Jake Allen. He will likely play a third of the games this season, and Jacob Markstrom has played the last two games.
Allen should be one of the league's better backups, but having him play over Markstrom would still boost the Capitals' chances in this matchup. The Caps may opt to start Logan Thompson over Charlie Lindgren, and that would not change my price targets.
The Capitals' early play suggests they may not be this heavy of an underdog very often, even versus a quality side like the Devils. At +150 or better, I see value betting on Washington in this matchup, and I'd play it to +145 if Allen is in goal.
Pick: Capitals (+160 at Caesars Sportsbook)
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Sabres vs. Blackhawks
By Greg Liodice
Any chance you can fade the Buffalo Sabres, you should probably take it. Unsurprisingly, the Sabres are off to a rough start to the season, and it doesn’t seem like the kids in Buffalo are buying into Sabres coaching legend Lindy Ruff as their coach.
I’ve wanted Buffalo to perform at a high level for a while, but the team has run out of chances. The Chicago Blackhawks (+130) host the Sabres (-150), and Chicago is already doing the rebuild better than its counterparts.
Having the luxury to draft Connor Bedard certainly helps, but the Blackhawks also came out with an impressive win against Edmonton and then stomped the Sharks (which isn’t hard to do).
Perhaps I overlooked the Blackhawks to start the season. I don’t foresee them making the playoffs this season, but they compete at a high level. Veterans in Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall won’t settle for losing, and Teuvo Teravainen’s return to Chicago has been a sight for sore eyes.
Both of these teams line up evenly analytically. Buffalo is about .6 points better in expected goals and is neck and neck in xGA/60. So, I don’t see any team running away with the game.
But I do believe the Blackhawks have more higher-end and polished talent. The Sabres – while wielded with an embarrassment of young, skilled guys – there are hardly any veterans to keep the room level.
Additionally, I trust Petr Mrazek more than I do either of Buffalo’s netminders.
At plus value, fading the Sabres seems all too good to be true. I’ll take Chicago moneyline, and let’s see where that takes us.
Pick: Blackhawks (+116 at FanDuel)
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Flames vs. Kraken
By Greg Liodice
Who was expecting this start from the Calgary Flames? Four games in, and they’re one of four undefeated teams in the NHL.
Coach Ryan Huska has received a whole lot of buy-ins from his guys. Jonathan Huberdeau is having a tremendous start to the season after a disappointing two years as a Flame while Connor Zary is getting comfortable as a full-time NHL player.
Calgary (+125) heads to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Kraken (-145), who are winners of three of their last four games – including a 6-4 win against the Flyers. We’ll probably see Joey Daccord take the net, and he gives this team the best chance to win. I would also say he's the best goalie Calgary will face to date.
It’s unknown how long the Flames stay hot, but I’m expecting a drop sooner or later. They’ll also be playing one of the best defenses in this four- to five-game stretch. Seattle is third best at controlling the pace, with a 2.7 xGA/60 and it’s been solid at 5-on-5 offense with a 50.75 xGF%.
Calgary has been rolling out a tandem in net, and from what we’ve seen, Dustin Wolf gives the Flames the best chance to win. However, since Dan Vladar hasn’t played in a week, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Huska look to his veteran netminder.
Vladar holds a 5-1 career record against Seattle, and he stole the show against Edmonton last week. It’s hard to expect anything from Vladar since he’s been so inconsistent throughout his career, but I anticipate Calgary’s defense to be working extra to keep the momentum going.
It feels like this game will be a chess match with these well-performing defenses and capable goaltending. I’m expecting a low-scoring game tonight.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-128 at FanDuel)
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