Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's predictions, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.
NHL Predictions for March 26, 2026 - Free Picks & Best Bets
March 26 brings a packed 13-game slate with several compelling matchups that could shift playoff positioning in the final stretch of the regular season. From Ottawa's dominant Senators hosting a struggling Pittsburgh squad to an intriguing Devils-Predators battle where analytics clash with home-ice momentum, today's NHL predictions offer plenty of angles for sharp bettors. We'll break down each game using advanced analytics like Corsi, expected goals, and goalie GSAA to identify where value lies across the schedule.
Blue Jackets vs Canadiens
Columbus enters Montreal riding strong recent form with four wins in their last five games, and the underlying analytics back up that success. The Blue Jackets dominate possession metrics with a 51.44 CF% and an impressive 55.5 xGF%, suggesting they're generating quality scoring chances consistently. Montreal counters with respectable numbers at 48.95 CF% and 51.48 xGF%, but they've won just three of their last five—a slight slip that could be significant against a hot opponent.
The goaltending edge belongs to Columbus, where John Greaves (24-13-8) has been more reliable than Montreal's Jayson Dobes (23-8-4). While Dobes has a higher win percentage, Greaves' record suggests steadier performance over a larger sample. Our NHL predictions favor the visiting Blue Jackets to capitalize on their possession advantage and superior recent momentum.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets (53.5%) over Montreal Canadiens (46.5%)
Penguins vs Senators
Ottawa has established itself as one of the league's elite teams this season, and today's matchup with Pittsburgh highlights why. The Senators boast a dominant 56.72 CF% and 59.36 xGF% at home, translating to relentless offensive pressure. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is struggling with a 48.25 CF% and 45.47 xGF%, winning just twice in their last five games. The gap in shot quality and volume is significant.
Linus Ullmark's elite goaltending (23-10-7 record, strong GSAA metrics) gives Ottawa another advantage against Casey Skinner (20-14-9). For free NHL picks in this matchup, the analytics are emphatic: the Senators' superior puck possession and expected goal rate make them clear favorites at home. Pittsburgh needs to overcome substantial disadvantages in both volume and quality of chances.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Ottawa Senators (58.8%) over Pittsburgh Penguins (41.2%)
Kraken vs Lightning
Seattle continues to struggle as one of the league's worst teams, and a road trip to Tampa Bay represents another tough test. The Kraken manage just a 47.13 CF% and 45.52 xGF%, and they've won only once in their last five outings. The Lightning, meanwhile, maintain a healthy 53.11 CF% and 52.75 xGF% with four wins in five games—a stark contrast in recent performance and underlying metrics.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (34-12-3) has been exceptional for Tampa Bay, commanding one of the league's best goalie records. Seattle's John Daccord (19-18-6) faces a significant workload against a team that generates consistent scoring chances. Today's free NHL picks heavily favor Tampa Bay to extend their hot streak against a struggling opponent.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (57.5%) over Seattle Kraken (42.5%)
Wild vs Panthers
Minnesota enters Florida with a slight edge in expected goals (53.91 xGF% vs 49.51), though both teams sit with equivalent four-game records and modest possession numbers around 52%. The Wild have captured two wins in their last five, matching Florida's output, setting up a fairly balanced contest on paper. Both goaltenders have experienced seasons: Filip Gustavsson (26-12-6) for Minnesota and Sergei Bobrovsky (26-20-1) for the Panthers, though Gustavsson's record suggests superior recent performance.
Minnesota's edge in expected goal generation provides the deciding factor in this matchup. Despite Florida holding home-ice advantage, the visitor's analytics give them the slight upper hand in today's NHL predictions.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Minnesota Wild (58.1%) over Florida Panthers (41.9%)
Stars vs Islanders
This one figures to be tightly contested, and our analytics reflect that razor-thin margin. Dallas owns a 48.59 CF% and 49.29 xGF%, while New York's home performance shows 52.94 CF% but only 46.91 xGF%—an interesting disconnect where the Islanders control volume but underperform in scoring chance quality. Both teams have captured two wins in their last five, indicating similar recent form.
Jacob Oettinger (29-10-6) brings an elite record for Dallas against Ilya Sorokin (26-18-2), giving the Stars a minor goaltending edge despite being on the road. Today's NHL picks on this matchup are remarkably close to even odds, with the Islanders catching a slight nod due to home ice.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: New York Islanders (50.1%) over Dallas Stars (49.9%)
Blackhawks vs Flyers
Philadelphia enters this matchup with a clear statistical advantage, particularly in expected goal generation. The Flyers post a 46.35 CF% and solid 50.54 xGF%, while Chicago struggles with a concerning 43.87 CF% and 39.48 xGF%—among the league's weakest possession metrics. Philadelphia has won three of their last five, compared to Chicago's two wins in the same span.
Darcy Vladar (23-12-7) provides the Flyers with a reliable goaltending option against Arvid Nell Knight (18-19-10), adding another layer of advantage. For free NHL picks today, the Flyers' superior puck management and expected goal rate make them clear favorites at home against a Blackhawks team that struggles to generate quality chances.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (55.4%) over Chicago Blackhawks (44.6%)
Sharks vs Blues
San Jose arrives in St. Louis with significant red flags: they've lost all five of their last games and maintain pedestrian 48.77 CF% and 47.71 xGF% numbers. The Blues, meanwhile, have captured three wins in five and maintain equivalent possession (48.26 CF%) with a slight edge in expected goals (48.9 xGF%). This is a matchup where momentum heavily favors the home team.
Jordan Hofer (18-11-5) for St. Louis provides a cleaner record than San Jose's Alexander Nedeljkovic (13-13-3), reinforcing the Blues' advantage. The Sharks' extended slump makes them vulnerable against a team playing steady hockey at home.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: St. Louis Blues (56.4%) over San Jose Sharks (43.6%)
Devils vs Predators
New Jersey brings outstanding analytics to Nashville: a 56.14 CF% and 58.23 xGF% indicate dominant puck possession and elite shot quality. The Predators counter with a 45.33 CF% and 46.57 xGF%, significantly below their visitors. Yet Nashville has won five straight games, while New Jersey has captured four of their last five—home-ice momentum cannot be discounted in the playoffs' approach.
Juuse Saros (26-19-7) has posted strong numbers for Nashville, competing with New Jersey's Johan Markstrom (21-16-1). This represents a classic analytics-versus-momentum matchup where the teams nearly split the prediction, with Nashville's dominant recent form earning a razor-thin home advantage despite inferior underlying metrics.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Nashville Predators (50.5%) over New Jersey Devils (49.5%)
Avalanche vs Jets
Colorado arrives in Winnipeg as clear statistical favorites, boasting a dominant 57.64 CF% and 55.79 xGF%. The Jets manage respectable numbers at 49.69 CF% and 51.43 xGF%, but the gap in possession is substantial. Colorado has won three of their last five, while Winnipeg has captured just two—another advantage for the visiting Avalanche.
Semyon Varlamov (26-5-6) provides Colorado with one of the league's elite goaltending records, while Connor Hellebuyck (18-19-11) has struggled more extensively for Winnipeg. Today's NHL predictions clearly favor the Avalanche to extend their recent form against a team that struggles with possession metrics.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Colorado Avalanche (55.1%) over Winnipeg Jets (44.9%)
Capitals vs Utah Mammoth
Washington brings a 45.64 CF% and 47.63 xGF% to Utah, both below league average. The Mammoth counter with 50.26 CF% and 45.81 xGF%, suggesting they control possession while underperforming in shot quality. Both teams sit at identical 4-4-2 records with two wins in their last five games, making this a fairly even matchup. Kailer Yamamoto (32-19-3) represents one of the league's best goaltending records, providing Utah with a significant advantage over Logan Thompson (24-20-6).
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Utah Mammoth (52.6%) over Washington Capitals (47.4%)
Ducks vs Flames
Anaheim and Calgary present an interesting battle of similar records and momentum. The Ducks edge slightly in possession (50.36 CF% vs 48.38) and expected goals (48.86 xGF% vs 45.44), while both teams have won four of their last five games. Lukas Dostal (29-15-3) has accumulated impressive wins for Anaheim against Calgary's Dan Cooley (9-9-4), giving the Ducks a meaningful goaltending advantage despite playing on the road.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Anaheim Ducks (50.4%) over Calgary Flames (49.6%)
Oilers vs Golden Knights
Edmonton travels to Vegas as a modest underdog despite generating strong expected goals (51.25 xGF%). Vegas owns a dominant 56.55 CF% with 54.22 xGF%, though they've managed just one win in their last five games—a significant disconnect between metrics and results. Edmonton has won three of their last five, suggesting they're playing better hockey than their possession numbers indicate.
WP Hockey Predictor Pick: Vegas Golden Knights (52.3%) over Edmonton Oilers (47.7%)
Kings vs Canucks
Los Angeles brings superior analytics to Vancouver with a 53.87 CF% and 54.