With all 32 NHL clubs officially past the halfway point of the 2025-26 campaign and the postseason rapidly approaching, competition in the league is about to level up. Usually, it would also be appropriate to mention the tightening of the standings during this stretch with contenders truly separating themselves from pretenders as spring hockey looms – however, this that's not the case this season as both playoff races in each conference are somewhat unbelievably wide open. Onto today's 14-game NHL betting board and our gold, silver, and bronze plays for what is sure to be another super Saturday of hockey wagering. Good luck and let's get this paper.

Updated 2025-26 Saturday Record (Daily Record Tracked/Posted @Flips_Picks):

Gold: 4-5
Silver: 6-3
Bronze: 6-3
Side Bets: 10-16

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Gold Selection
St. Louis Blues @ Vegas Golden Knights – Pick: Golden Knights ML (-275)

Roulette wheels aren't the only things spinning in Vegas right now, as the Golden Knights' goalie carousel is once again on tilt. Carter Hart fell awkwardly in the first period of Vegas' 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday and he will miss at least a few games, so it's next man up for the Knights and once again time for Akira Schmid to man the blue paint. Even with the controlled chaos in the crease, this is still shaping up to be a really great spot to back the Knights at home against a Blues group that sits near the bottom of the league in a number of critical categories.

Not only does St. Louis struggle mightily to produce offense, sitting dead last in goals per game (2.5) and shots on net per game (24.7), but their special teams both sit near the bottom of the NHL and they've also had fits getting consistent goaltending, as both Joel Hofer and especially Jordan Binnington have been downright awful. Take in Binner's numbers so far during what has already been a rollercoaster-type season: 8-11-6 record, 3.55 goals-against average, and .871 save percentage. Ouch.

Straight up, St. Louis is just a very average team who is on the second night of an extremely tough back-to-back to wrap a mini three-game road trip who has also been owned by Vegas over their previous 10 meetings to the tune of a 7-1-2 record. It should be noted the Blues won the only meeting between these two Western Conference foes just last week, but that's not deterring us one bit from backing Vegas at home following two big wins against Winnipeg and Columbus in their last two tilts. Even with the relatively poor odds here, Knights on the moneyline is the play. Slap it into your favourite parlay and thank us later.

Silver Selection
Vancouver Canucks @ Toronto Maple Leafs – Pick: Auston Matthews Anytime Goal (+100)

Don't look now but the Toronto Maple Leafs have points in eight straight games and are starting to resemble a playoff team and less of a punching bag of the Atlantic Division. On the back of strong goaltending from Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby, balanced offensive contributions from the entire top-nine, and a resurrection of No. 34, Toronto is slowly climbing out of the cellar of the Eastern Conference and playing its best hockey of the campaign.

That's not great news for the Canucks who ride into the Big Smoke on the third leg of a grueling six-game eastern road swing while also holding a five-game losing streak. Much like the discussion on the Blues above, Vancouver just doesn't have it. Even with Quinn Hughes in the fold, this team was trending in the wrong direction and things will definitely get worse before they get any better. Credit due to the Canucks who have won their last three meetings with the Maple Leafs, but interestingly enough, not only is Toronto 6-0 in its last six home tilts overall but the Buds also own a 14-2 record against Vancouver across their previous 16 at home.

Food for thought, but the main angle to consider here is that Toronto is finally looking like a team and that's properly running through their best player in Matthews, who looks to be nearing full health for the first time this year and firing on all cylinders with six goals in his last four, bringing his total up to 21 on the campaign. His energy is different, his body language is way more positive, and he's found a little chemistry with Bobby McMann and Max Domi. Combine that with the improved play of the squad and his 18 goals in 25 career regular-season games against the Canucks and we are left with more than enough confidence in throwing some cash down for Matthews to light the lamp once again. 

Bronze Selection
L.A. Kings @ Edmonton Oilers – Pick: Connor McDavid 2+ Points (-162)

Connor McDavid. 17-game point heater. Enough said. Well, how about a few more words to lock this up. Like most Western Conference teams in his path, McDavid has feasted on royalty at the offensive end with 17 goals and 27 assists in only 34 career regular-season games against the Kings. Much like the Leafs running through Matthews, this team's path to success might be the most obvious in the league.

When Leon Draisaitl and McDavid get hot, Edmonton wins. Right now, that's exactly the case and the Oilers have responded with a 6-4-0 record over their last 10 games and even with the struggles on the backend, Edmonton is looking like a top-three team in the division that few clubs would want in a first-round playoff series. The Oilers have taken the last three meetings head-to-head and we would lean to them on the moneyline here as well, but our favourite selection is the hottest player in the NHL to stay hot tonight for our bronze pick of the evening.

Side Bets
Florida Panthers @ Ottawa Senators – Pick: Over 6.5 (-104)
Anaheim Ducks @ Buffalo Sabres – Pick: Alex Tuch Anytime Assist (+144)
New York Islanders @ Minnesota Wild – Pick: Under 6.5 (-172)

Flip Livingstone is an NHL betting expert, fantasy writer, and daily podcast host with the Locked On Fantasy Hockey pod. He also has experience at outlets such as theScore NHL, Postmedia, and Hockey Night in Canada. You can follow him @Flips_Picks.