NHL Best Bets for October 12, 2026: Three-Game Slate
Monday’s NHL update: Panthers-Sabres under six remains price-dependent, Ottawa is a pass with Sanderson out, and Vegas-Minnesota stays on the watch list.
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Florida at Buffalo remains our small under-six play on Monday’s three-game NHL schedule, subject to the available price. Ottawa is now a pass because Jake Sanderson has been ruled out. Vegas at Minnesota stays on the watch list.
Lineup update, October 12 at 12:41 p.m. ET: RotoWire lists Markstrom and Ellis as confirmed starters. Ottawa’s original lineup condition has failed. The reported sportsbook prices below have not been freshly verified.
NHL Best Bets for October 12
- Panthers at Sabres: Under 6 goals (-115, reported BetMGM price). Risk 0.5 units only at -115 or better, with Jacob Markstrom and Colten Ellis confirmed in goal.
- Senators at Devils: Pass. Jake Sanderson has been ruled out, so the original Ottawa moneyline condition has failed.
Prices are reported by AgentBets, a secondary odds aggregator: BetMGM markets and DraftKings markets. Confirm the price and market at your sportsbook before betting.
Panthers at Sabres: Under 6 (-115)
1 p.m. ET | KeyBank Center
Florida has nine goals through five games; Markstrom owns a .916 save percentage. NHL matchup statistics. With Barkov and Marchand injured, the Panthers are missing two important attacking options. That supports a small under position at six, although five games are too few to establish a lasting scoring trend.
Buffalo scored once in its past two games. Sabres preview. RotoWire now lists both goalies as confirmed: its Markstrom report cites Panthers reporter Rob Darragh, and its Ellis report cites Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News. That satisfies the goalie condition; the price still needs checking at your sportsbook.
Buffalo’s goaltending is the main concern, along with a quick rebound in Florida’s finishing. Keep the stake at half a unit and the total at six. Pass at 5.5, at a price worse than -115, or if either goalie changes.
Senators at Devils: Pass
7 p.m. ET | Prudential Center
Ullmark has saved 81 of 86 shots in four appearances; Stützle has eight points through five games. NHL matchup statistics. Those early performances supported the original conditional underdog lean, with the usual small-sample caution. Sanderson’s absence now makes this a pass.
New Jersey scored three power-play goals Saturday, while Ottawa is already without Zub. Official game preview. RotoWire, citing Bruce Garrioch, now reports Sanderson is ruled out against New Jersey. His inclusion was required for our original pick, so there is no Ottawa bet.
RotoWire now lists Linus Ullmark and Nico Daws as confirmed starters, replacing the earlier Jake Allen projection for New Jersey. Sanderson’s absence still rules out the Ottawa play. The original +114 reported DraftKings quote and +110 minimum no longer represent an active recommendation.
Golden Knights at Wild: Watch Only
8 p.m. ET | Grand Casino Arena
The reported BetMGM total is six, with the under at -110. Vegas has allowed 24 shots per game, while Minnesota has conceded nine goals in five games. Matchup numbers. That points toward an under lean, but it is not enough to add another bet.
Minnesota’s Brock Faber remains out, and both teams have converted more than 30% of their early power plays. Special-teams comparison. The early defensive results deserve caution against that scoring threat.
Carter Hart and Jesper Wallstedt are projected starters. We are passing for now. Confirming both would warrant another look at under six; it would not automatically turn this into a recommended bet.
Use small, fixed stakes and only wager where legal. No bet is guaranteed.