NHL Plays, Predictions, & Player Props: October 31st, 2026

Unfortunately, our picks from our last NHL write up on the 29th went 1-2. The Hurricanes were dominating for the majority of their game against the Blue Jackets until blowing the -1.5 ATS cover, then the Stars completely get embarrassed by the red hot Montreal Canadiens.

Today's picks will hopefully be less "scary" for us. There's ten Halloween games on the slate today, and some good spots to be profitable and make some coin!

Here's three favorites for today's slate:

Bruins 60 minute ML (-135 Hard Rock)

CHI Projected Goalie: Arvid Soderblom (0-2-0, .820 SV%, 4.58 GAA)
BOS Projected Goalie: Jeremy Swayman (7-3-1, .912 SV%, 2.35 GAA)

Even though they've cooled off a little in their last five games, the Boston Bruins are still one of the hottest teams in the NHL. The roster is not the best team on paper, but they are somehow making it work which is a huge credit to the coaching staff in Boston.

Chicago is the exact opposite. Yes, they've been a "better" team since the return of Connor Bedard, but they are not a very good hockey team. They're a team that gives up the 4th most goals per game and they score the 2nd least (Flyers only team scoring less) goals per game this season. That is not a recipe for success in this league.

Today's game is also in Boston which favors the Bruins in a heavy way! Chicago is still winless on the road and Boston is 5-1-0 in home games this season. Both projected goalies play into this stat as well because Soderbolm has only played on the road with two losses and Swayman is 3-1 in four games this season.

Boston's regular moneyline at -215 is unplayable. The 60 minute moneyline is safer because both teams have only seen overtime once in their last ten games. However, Bruins -1.5 is an option for a plus money play be the Blackhawks have lost six games in their last ten games with one of those loses being by only one goal. The Bruins have won seven games in their last ten games with all of those seven being by two or more goals.

Maple Leafs 60 minute ML (-105 Hard Rock)

TOR Projected Goalie: Anthony Stolarz (4-1-0, .907 SV%, 2.80 GAA)
VAN Projected Goalie: Kevin Lankinen (1-7-0, .812 SV%, 6.17 GAA)

We move from the end worst team in the entire NHL to the worst team in the NHL. The Canucks are not good. Plain and simple. They have the least amount of points in the standings and are current 1-9 in their last ten games coming into today.

The weird thing about Vancouver is that their offense isn't the worst. This team has the capability to put pucks on net and score goals. However, they have the worst defense in the league, averaging 4.53 goals against per game.

Toronto comes into today riding a some two game losing streak following losses to Calgary and Seattle. Before those two losses, the Leafs had won four straight games and were looking very solid. That team is still there and can come out today against the Canucks.

Yes, Marchenko is week-to-week after suffering a lower-body injury in the loss to the Flames on Monday. I'm not going to act like Marchenko being injured isn't a big loss to this team. That being said, Toronto still has talent on the roster. They have enough talent still to handle a team like the Vancouver Canucks.

Due to the odds of the regular moneyline being so low, I'll take the risk of the 60 minute moneyline.

Easton Cowan 1+ Point (-110 Hard Rock)

One of the hottest players on the Maple Leafs in terms of points is winger Easton Cowan. Cowan's currently riding a five game points steak and has recorded at least one point in eight of his last ten games.

At the time of writing this write up, the Leafs have Cowan listed as the left winger on a line with Nick Paul and William Nylander.

Second-line left wingers have had their success against the Canucks over the team's last five games. In four of the Canucks last five games, second-line left wingers have scored at least one point.

I like Easton Cowan to continue his hot hand in helping get pucks in the back of the net. I also like him for an assist in this game on top of the 1+ Point play.

Zach Benson 1+ Point (-120 Draft Kings)

Another hot player in terms of points scored in their last ten games is Sabres winger Zach Benson. He's recorded at least one point in four of his last five games and seven of his last ten games.

Benson is currently playing on the right side of Buffalo top line. He's coming off of a game against the Anaheim Ducks where he recorded three total points in the game.

Top line right wingers are fairly successful against the Los Angeles Kings. They've recorded points against the Kings in three of their last five games. Benson's also had past success against Los Angeles with at least one point in three of five total games against the Kings.

Not only do I love Benson to record a point today against the Kings, I like him to record an assist on top of the point for today's game.

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