Expert NHL Picks
The 2025-2026 NHL hockey season is back, and the Doc's Sports team is here to provide you with winning expert NHL picks daily. The season begins on October 7th and the Florida Panthers will try to 3-peat as champions.
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Each handicapper has his own unique style and approach but, on most days, you can expect between 1-3 expert picks with the ratings varying based on the overall strength of the play. We take the approach of "quality over quantity" and our picks represent the best value on the board on any given night.
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Yesterday's Expert NHL Picks from our handicappers.
Just so the public knows we are always transparent and honest with our reporting, in this spot we will list all of the previous days picks and analysis. This will be updated daily at around 5AM Eastern Time.
Get free NHL picks including expert parlays picks for betting NHL predictions today.
Results for Tuesday 6th of January 2026
| Handicapper | Units | Dollars |
| Doc's Sports | 4 | $420.00 |
| Craig Trapp | 0 | $0.00 |
| Scott Rickenbach | 10 | $1000.00 |
| Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy) | -2 | $-230.00 |
| Raphael Esparza (VSI) | 4 | $420.00 |
| Tony George | -4 | $-500.00 |
| Scott Spreitzer | 0 | $0.00 |
| August Young | 0 | $0.00 |
| Jason Sharpe | -3 | $-360.00 |
Tuesday 6th of January 2026
Doc's Sports
4-Unit Play Take San Jose +105 over Columbus (10 p.m. EST, Tuesday January 6)
Great value here with the Sharks. This team is on the way up and they will have some games like last time out as they were jumped all over by the red hot Tampa Bay Lightning and they ended up losing 7-3. Despite the poor start we really liked what we saw from this team as they kept fighting, a stark contrast from the San Jose teams of the past. That loss snapped a three-match winning streak and we expect that the effects from that loss won’t linger with this Sharks team and that they are on to their next game. Columbus seems to get too much respect from the oddsmakers due to last season, but this team is the definition of mediocre this season and this is not a playoff team in our opinion. In fact, they have the least amount of points to date in the ridiculously strong Eastern Conference.
Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports
Robert Ferringo
Passing for today.
Craig Trapp
Passing for today.
Scott Rickenbach
7-Unit Play. Take #29/30 'Over' 6.5 (-120) Columbus at San Jose (10:07 p.m., Tue, Jan. 6)
Great spot for an over. Sharks games are on a crazy high-scoring run plus the Blue Jackets are off a very high-scoring game. 8 of the last 9 San Jose games have totaled 7 or more goals and the lone exception was a game totaling 6 goals! Those 8 games for the Sharks have reached an average total of 9 goals and there is nothing "average" about that! San Jose has scored an average of 4 goals last 9 games and also has allowed 4.6 goals per game in the last 9 games! The Blue Jackets are coming off a 5-4 OT loss versus Pittsburgh and will be looking to bounce back here. They have scored at least 3 goals in 6 of their last 7 games and averaged scoring 4 goals in those 6 games. The Jackets have been much better defensively than the Sharks of late but I also expect San Jose to perform well in the offensive end here as they take advantage of home ice. Also, Columbus goalie Jet Greaves is off of a start in which he allowed 5 goals and that was the 2nd time in the last 3 starts that he has allowed at least 3 goals. As for Merzlikins, he has allowed a ridiculous 23 goals in his last 6 starts. No matter who is in goal for either side here, you can see why this one sets up well to be yet another wild high-scoring game involving San Jose. The Sharks pattern of barn-burners filled with fireworks in the offensive end continues. 7* OVER 6.5 (-120) in San Jose
3-Unit Play. Take #14 Philadelphia (-145) vs Anaheim (7:07 p.m., Tue, Jan. 6)
Love the value here with the Flyers even though they are laying a bit of a price here. The Ducks are in a tough back to back spot after getting hammered at Washington last night. Because of how much of a blowout it was, Lukas Dostal was called into the game for the 3rd period and he was going to be the expected starting goalie for tonight's game. Now he'll likely still start tonight but that is tough too considering that he played 20 minutes in last night's game. Also, Dostal has allowed 4 or more goals in 4 straight starts and allowed an average of 5 goals in these 4 starts. The Flyers have the rest edge here plus the goalie edge as well. Anaheim has lost 6 straight games and also 10 of their last 12 games. Philly has played 9 of its last 10 games on the road and yet still has survived including winning 5 of last 9 games. Surely they are thrilled to finally be back on home ice and they will make the most of it here in what should be a solid home win as the Ducks slump continues! 3* PHILADELPHIA -145
Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy)
2 Unit Play. Take #11 Colorado -115 over Tampa Bay (7:07p.m., Tuesday, January ESPN+) We will back the Avs again on Tuesday after we fell short with them on Sunday. They had a day of rest in Florida and should have their No. 1 goalie back in net on Tuesday. Colorado beat Tampa Bay earlier this season by a score of 3-2 and that is how we expect this game to go as well. The Lighting just finished up a long road trip and often times you come out flat in your first home game back after that occurs.
Raphael Esparza (VSI)
NHL HOCKEY
4 Unit Play. Take #14 Philadelphia +105 (3-Way) over Anaheim (7:05p.m., Tuesday January 6 ESPN+)
Tony George
NHL
1/6/26
4 Units
Take #19 New Jersey (-125) over NY Islanders
*7:30 EST
NJ is down 0-2 to NY this year, both 1 goal games they lost, and I think they get them tonight. They could have won both those games. NY is without their stud Horvat as well as their best defenseman Schaefer. NJ outshot NY badly in the first 2 meetings and just fell short, I like this spot tonight for them with NY short handed a couple of really good players. I think the Devils come in motivated and get a win.
Vernon Croy
Passing for today.
Scott Spreitzer
Passing for today.
August Young
Passing for today.
Strike Point Sports
Passing for today.
Jason Sharpe
Tuesday January 6th 2026-
3 Unit Play Take #29 Columbus -120 over San Jose (10:07pm est):
Both of these teams come into this game with 43 points on the season but Columbus is clearly the better of these two teams. San Jose is dead last currently in Corsi Percentage and is -20 goal differential on the year. Columbus is off a hard fought overtime loss in their last game and I think they bring the energy and effort to this one as they start a four game road trip out west.
Play Columbus.
Thank you and good luck,
Jason Sharpe
Griffin Murphy
2 Unit Play - Take #13 Anaheim Ducks (+125) Over PHI Flyers. (7:00p.m, Tuesday, January 6th)
Griffin Murphy
Nick Menken
2 Unit – NHL Take # WGP Jets ML (-110) over er VGS Golden Knights (-110 (7:00p.m, Tuesday January 6th )
Nick Menken
Expert NHL Picks History:
Doc's Sports
4-Unit Play Take San Jose +105 over Columbus (10 p.m. EST, Tuesday January 6)Great value here with the Sharks. This team is on the way up and they will have some games like last time out as they were jumped all over by the red hot Tampa Bay Lightning and they ended up losing 7-3. Despite the poor start we really liked what we saw from this team as they kept fighting, a stark contrast from the San Jose teams of the past. That loss snapped a three-match winning streak and we expect that the effects from that loss won’t linger with this Sharks team and that they are on to their next game. Columbus seems to get too much respect from the oddsmakers due to last season, but this team is the definition of mediocre this season and this is not a playoff team in our opinion. In fact, they have the least amount of points to date in the ridiculously strong Eastern Conference.
Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports
Robert Ferringo
Passing for today.Craig Trapp
Passing for today.Scott Rickenbach
7-Unit Play. Take #29/30 'Over' 6.5 (-120) Columbus at San Jose (10:07 p.m., Tue, Jan. 6)Great spot for an over. Sharks games are on a crazy high-scoring run plus the Blue Jackets are off a very high-scoring game. 8 of the last 9 San Jose games have totaled 7 or more goals and the lone exception was a game totaling 6 goals! Those 8 games for the Sharks have reached an average total of 9 goals and there is nothing "average" about that! San Jose has scored an average of 4 goals last 9 games and also has allowed 4.6 goals per game in the last 9 games! The Blue Jackets are coming off a 5-4 OT loss versus Pittsburgh and will be looking to bounce back here. They have scored at least 3 goals in 6 of their last 7 games and averaged scoring 4 goals in those 6 games. The Jackets have been much better defensively than the Sharks of late but I also expect San Jose to perform well in the offensive end here as they take advantage of home ice. Also, Columbus goalie Jet Greaves is off of a start in which he allowed 5 goals and that was the 2nd time in the last 3 starts that he has allowed at least 3 goals. As for Merzlikins, he has allowed a ridiculous 23 goals in his last 6 starts. No matter who is in goal for either side here, you can see why this one sets up well to be yet another wild high-scoring game involving San Jose. The Sharks pattern of barn-burners filled with fireworks in the offensive end continues. 7* OVER 6.5 (-120) in San Jose
3-Unit Play. Take #14 Philadelphia (-145) vs Anaheim (7:07 p.m., Tue, Jan. 6)
Love the value here with the Flyers even though they are laying a bit of a price here. The Ducks are in a tough back to back spot after getting hammered at Washington last night. Because of how much of a blowout it was, Lukas Dostal was called into the game for the 3rd period and he was going to be the expected starting goalie for tonight's game. Now he'll likely still start tonight but that is tough too considering that he played 20 minutes in last night's game. Also, Dostal has allowed 4 or more goals in 4 straight starts and allowed an average of 5 goals in these 4 starts. The Flyers have the rest edge here plus the goalie edge as well. Anaheim has lost 6 straight games and also 10 of their last 12 games. Philly has played 9 of its last 10 games on the road and yet still has survived including winning 5 of last 9 games. Surely they are thrilled to finally be back on home ice and they will make the most of it here in what should be a solid home win as the Ducks slump continues! 3* PHILADELPHIA -145
Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy)
2 Unit Play. Take #11 Colorado -115 over Tampa Bay (7:07p.m., Tuesday, January ESPN+) We will back the Avs again on Tuesday after we fell short with them on Sunday. They had a day of rest in Florida and should have their No. 1 goalie back in net on Tuesday. Colorado beat Tampa Bay earlier this season by a score of 3-2 and that is how we expect this game to go as well. The Lighting just finished up a long road trip and often times you come out flat in your first home game back after that occurs.Raphael Esparza (VSI)
NHL HOCKEY4 Unit Play. Take #14 Philadelphia +105 (3-Way) over Anaheim (7:05p.m., Tuesday January 6 ESPN+)
Tony George
NHL1/6/26
4 Units
Take #19 New Jersey (-125) over NY Islanders
*7:30 EST
NJ is down 0-2 to NY this year, both 1 goal games they lost, and I think they get them tonight. They could have won both those games. NY is without their stud Horvat as well as their best defenseman Schaefer. NJ outshot NY badly in the first 2 meetings and just fell short, I like this spot tonight for them with NY short handed a couple of really good players. I think the Devils come in motivated and get a win.
Vernon Croy
Passing for today.Scott Spreitzer
Passing for today.August Young
Passing for today.Strike Point Sports
Passing for today.Jason Sharpe
Tuesday January 6th 2026-3 Unit Play Take #29 Columbus -120 over San Jose (10:07pm est):
Both of these teams come into this game with 43 points on the season but Columbus is clearly the better of these two teams. San Jose is dead last currently in Corsi Percentage and is -20 goal differential on the year. Columbus is off a hard fought overtime loss in their last game and I think they bring the energy and effort to this one as they start a four game road trip out west.
Play Columbus.
Thank you and good luck,
Jason Sharpe
Griffin Murphy
2 Unit Play - Take #13 Anaheim Ducks (+125) Over PHI Flyers. (7:00p.m, Tuesday, January 6th)Griffin Murphy
Nick Menken
2 Unit – NHL Take # WGP Jets ML (-110) over er VGS Golden Knights (-110 (7:00p.m, Tuesday January 6th )Nick Menken
Expert NHL Picks History:
DOC'S SPORTS was one of the best NHL handicappers in the nation last season with nearly +7,200 earnings on the year. This season we go for three of four winning seasons, and we are extremely confident that they will have an even better season in 2025. We have been doing our homework and plan on a strong start out of the gate, where we are two steps ahead of the oddsmakers, who are wading waist deep in football action in early October. Doc’s NHL concentrates on high-value underdogs, totals, value pucklines, and small favorites. It is rare that Doc’s will release a pick that is juiced above -150. Doc’s NHL is one you will want to be with the entire season, so we urge you to lock in at the early bird price, which will give you Doc’s NHL picks through the Stanley Cup Finals in June.
ROBERT FERRINGO has racked up THREE straight winning hockey seasons and has been one of the top hockey handicappers in the country over the last two decades, burning the books for 11 of 16 winning years on the ice. Robert erupted for a +7,810 hockey rush last season and he does it with a methodical, selective approach that focuses on plus-money situations. Robert has experienced sustained, long-term success and he is ready for another outstanding season on the ice as he goes for winning year No. 4 in a row.
STRIKE POINT SPORTS had a dominating 2024-25 on the ice (+6,610 overall) and has produced back-to-back winning seasons for their clients. SPS hit 63% of their plays last season (68-40) and dating back to 2023, Strike Point Sports is an amazing 83-44 (65%), +9,090 with their hockey service. SPS was one of the best in the nation in 2019-20, and they are known for getting off to hot starts in the first six weeks of the season. SPS is going for a third straight winning year and you can sign up now to join them!
TONY GEORGE hired a new NHL handicapper prior to the 2022-23 hockey season and the result has been three straight winning years on the ice! Now George is looking forward to going for four in a row. Last year he banked +2,475 and was superb and selective with his top picks, going 6-3, +2,520 on hockey plays rated 7.0+. He has over 30 years of handicapping experience and is one of the most consistent, well known, and most respected handicappers in the sports betting industry. Get on board now.
CRAIG TRAPP joined Doc’s Sports midseason last year and posted a winning season on the ice, hitting 57% of his picks on the year for +2,145 in winnings. Trapp dominated his top plays, going 27-15 (64%), +4,035 with his plays rated 5.0+ last season. He finished last season with five of six winners in the Stanley Cup Finals and he is looking to pick up where he left off. Sign up and put his experience to work for you today!
RAPHAEL ESPARZA is steady and consistent on the ice, notching 9 of 14 winning NHL seasons. Esparza had a monster winning season in 2022-23 and is looking to do it again. At one point Esparza was the sports book director in Vegas at MGM's Aria Race and Sports Book and other top books for 15 years. Put that experience to work for you today.
AUGUST YOUNG has racked up +7,320 with his hockey picks since joining Doc’s four years ago. Young has been phenomenal with his top hockey plays, including going 10-2, +4,320 with his 8-Unit NHL Game of the Year picks over the last four seasons. Young and his team are stacked with fresh data scientists and research experts and he is prime to deliver another big season on the ice!
JASON SHARPE has rocked the books for three of five winning years in the NHL, a fantastic +6,700 hockey season in 2023-24. Sharpe has been superb with his top picks over the last two seasons, going 43-30 (59%) on his hockey plays rated 7.0+. Sharpe is a selective NHL handicapper and is the perfect option for people who enjoy betting just the best of the best expert NHL picks without having to endure the exhaustive eight-month grind.
SCOTT SPREITZER believes in being ready to go right out of the blocks when most bettors & bookies are focused almost solely on college football and the NFL! He put this philosophy to work in October last year and was up +8,085 by January. The NHL is not getting the attention of the masses, seeing less action than the WNBA in some cases. That's perfectly fine with Scott because it means he's going to get value early on. One of his favorite systems is to start with certain teams off a loss as chalk then chalk again in their next game. Not all in this spot qualify but that's where a quarter century of betting the NHL comes into play. Bet early! Bet often! Cash tickets!
GRIFFIN MURPHY is one of the newest handicappers at Doc's Sports and is looking for a big season. Murphy has 10 years of betting experience, with eight years of experience as a professional handicapper. Murphy is going to focus on totals and puck-line plays this winter and he is looking to build on his success with 7-Unit NHL Plays. Sign up and put him to work now!
NICK MENKEN exploded onto the hockey scene at Doc’s last year, banking +5,165 in his first month releasing picks. Menken nailed the first eight hockey selections of his career last December and he is looking for another hot start on the ice this year. Menken was at his best with his top play, going 13-7 (65%), +3,810 on his hockey plays rated 7.0+ and you can get signed up with him today!
ARUN SHIVA had back-to-back dominating NHL campaigns in 2020-21, banking over +13,000 those two years. Shiva banked a wire-to-wire winning season in 2020 and followed it up with a 61%, +8,700 season. Shiva’s one play per day style has made him one of the most sought-after handicappers in the country, and you can sign up today!
VERNON CROY has always looked at NHL as one of his top sports over the last 25 years. Two years ago, Croy went 104-88, +6,910 in the NHL season and banked over +4,400 with his top hockey plays. He is looking for a big rebound season and looking to match that 2023 standard. He is chomping at the bit to start the season hot. Sign-up today!
SCOTT RICKENBACH is the newest addition to the Doc’s Sports team. With over two decades of experience, Rickenbach has a well-earned reputation and ranks among the most popular and sought after handicappers in the industry. Rickenbach has been a top earner in plenty of his 22 years as a hockey handicapper and there will be no better time to catch him than the 2025-26 NHL season!