After a wild and high-scoring Saturday slate, we end the week with four games on Sunday. There are some decently heavy favorites today and one very clear team in a bounce-back spot. 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/27

As many teams are approaching 10 games played, the data we have on them is becoming much clearer. Real patterns are starting to emerge and the variance has begun to level off, allowing teams to settle into their true levels. 

Anaheim Ducks vs. New Jersey Devils Prediction: Sunday, October 27th

After a blazing hot start to the season, the New Jersey Devils have lost four games in a row and are looking to right the ship today. They are at home to take on the Anaheim Ducks, who are on the second night of a back-to-back. The Devils have been a solid offensive team for a few seasons and come in this year with 60.69 Total Shot Attempts Created per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 14th in the league. 

They should continue to trend up as the year goes on and now have an immensely favorable matchup versus the Ducks to continue pressing their offense. This year, the Ducks are allowing 73.24 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league. 

They're in the midst of a four-game losing streak, and have one of the worst defenses on the other side of the ice, so this needs to be as simple of a game as possible. Get a ton of shots to the net and keep the pressure up on offense. 

This brings me to Dougie Hamilton, who is the defender on the top pairing and the first power-play unit. He has 39 shots on goal in 11 games this season and has been over the 3.5 mark in 8 of those 11 games. He's the clear target for shots on goal for the Devils tonight. 

 

Ottawa Senators vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction: Sunday, October 27th

The Colorado Avalanche are looking completely different after their 0-4 start to the season and now sit at 4-4. A super slow start to the season is all but forgotten at this point and now have a chance to get above .500 versus the Ottawa Senators tonight. 

Throughout the ups and downs, their offense has been the consistent part, with their defense/goaltending being the point of issue. It won't be a surprise to see that continue tonight, with offense top of mind in this matchup. 

Both teams sit in the bottom 10 of the league for Goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, giving us a truly fun game for props. 

Let's turn to Cale Makar, who is on fire to start the season with 15 points in 8 games, which is not only the most on the Avalanche, it's the second-most in the entire NHL. The Norris-caliber defenseman is an elite puck-mover and a point machine every game. 

With his role on the first power-play unit alongside Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen, the points can come early and often for this trio. 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/27