Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, October 26

Winnipeg Jets @ Detroit Red Wings

• Time: 8:07 PM E.T. - Thursday
• Moneyline: Jets (-112) | Red Wings (-108)
• Puck Line: Jets -1.5 (+210) | Red Wings +1.5 (-258)
• Total: Over 6.5 (-108) | Under 6.5 (-112)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. See other NHL sportsbooks for more betting opportunities.

My Pick: Detroit Red Wings (DET)

One of the biggest Eastern versus Western Conference team matchups going on Thursday's slate of NHL games is set between the Winnipeg Jets (3-3) and the Detroit Red Wings (5-1-1). The Jets are looking to establish a rhythm during this early portion of the season. The Red Wings are one of the hottest teams in the league.

The Jets are on a two-game win streak, defeating the St. Louis Blues and the Edmonton Oilers. The Red Wings started the season with a 4-3 road loss to the New Jersey Devils but proceeded to win their next five games before losing to the Seattle Kraken in overtime.

The Jets' offense is averaging 3.33 goals per game as they are finding ways to score. Their defense needs to be more efficient, as they allow an average of 3.83 goals per game.

Detriot is showing why they are one of the most efficient teams on both sides of the ice. The Red Wings are averaging 4.68 goals per game thanks to the stellar play of center Dylan Larkin, who has accounted for four goals and 10 assists. Defensively, the Red Wings are allowing an average of 2.86 goals per game.

Minnesota Wild @ Philadelphia Flyers

• Time: 7:37 PM E.T. - Thursday
• Moneyline: Wild (-125) | Flyers (+105)
• Puck Line: Wild -1.5 (+195) | Flyers +1.5 (-238)
• Total: Over 6 (-118) | Under 6 (-102)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (PHI)

The Minnesota Wild (3-2-1) are set to go on the road to take on the Philadelphia Flyers (3-2-1). The Wild have started the season up and down and are coming off a big 7-4 win at home over the Edmonton Oilers, who are without center Connor McDavid due to an injury.

The Flyers have started the season with a 3-1 overall record. They have, however, lost two consecutive games to the Dallas Stars 5-4 and the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2.

The Flyers are averaging 3.0 goals per game thanks to the star playmaking abilities of right-wing Travis Konecny and right-wing Cam Atkinson. Konecny has accounted for five goals, while Atkinson has accounted for four goals.

Defensively, the Flyers have allowed 2.67 goals per game. They are seeing solid performances from goalie Carter Hart (92.3% save), who has saved 131 of 142 shot attempts in five games this season.

The Wild are averaging 4.17 goals per game as they are seeing solid production from across the ice. Center Joel Eriksson Ek, right-wing Mats Zuccarrarello and left-wing Kirill Kaprizov have all accounted for nine points in six games.

The Wild have allowed an average of 4.17 per game. Minnesota has allowed 211 shot attempts in six games. Their defensive players has to do a more efficient job of suppressing the opposing offense on the ice.

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Dallas Stars

• Time: 8:07 PM E.T. - Thursday
• Moneyline: Maple Leafs (+102) | Stars (-122)
• Puck Line: Maple Leafs +1.5 (-245) | Stars -1.5 (+200)
• Total: Over 6 (-115) | Under 6 (-105)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Dallas Stars (DAL)

Perhaps the biggest game of the night is set as the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-2) are set to go on the road to take on the Dallas Stars (4-0-1). The Stars are one of three teams to not have suffered a loss in the regular period this season.

The Maple Leafs are currently on a two-game winning streak that includes road wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals. They scored four goals in each of the wins.

The Stars are currently on a three-game winning streak after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 on the road in overtime. Dallas' last three games were a 3-2 road win over the Anaheim Ducks, a 5-4 win at home over the Philadelphia Flyers and a 4-1 road win at the Pittsburgh Penguins this past Tuesday.

The Maple Leafs are highly efficient on the offensive side of the ice, as they average 3.67 goals per game. Center Auston Matthews has accounted for seven goals this season, tied for second in the league. Right-wing William Nylander and center John Tavares has accounted for a team-high 10 points this season. Nylander has accounted for five goals and five assists.

On top of the Stars' reliability on offense, the Stars possess a tough and efficient defense. The Stars allow an average of 2.00 goals per game. Jake Oettinger (95.2% saves) is one of the most efficient goalies in the league. Their defense should give the Maple Leafs problems scoring on the ice.