Best NHL Picks Today: Top Bets and Player Props for Thursday 4/9/26

DraftKings Network analysts share their top bets, player props and predictions for Thursday's NHL slate.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:10pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy, red, and white, conveying the strategic analysis behind the expert NHL picks.Expert NHL picks from the DraftKings Network aim to provide bettors with a strategic edge on the upcoming slate of games.Today in Tampa

DraftKings Network analysts have provided their best NHL picks, including a parlay bet on the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues moneylines, as well as a straight bet on Nikita Kucherov to score a goal for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Why it matters

With the NHL playoffs approaching, these expert picks can help bettors make informed decisions and potentially profit from Thursday's slate of games.

The details

The parlay bet includes the New Jersey Devils moneyline against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues moneyline against the Winnipeg Jets. The straight bet is on Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov to score a goal in their matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.

  • The NHL games are scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Nikita Kucherov

A star forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who is known for his goal-scoring ability.

Hunter Skoczylas

A DraftKings Network analyst who has provided the NHL picks featured in this story.

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What they’re saying

“Tail this bet by clicking the odds above!”

— Hunter Skoczylas, DraftKings Network Analyst

What’s next

Bettors can follow the DraftKings Network betting group to stay up-to-date on the latest NHL picks and predictions.

The takeaway

These expert NHL picks from the DraftKings Network provide valuable insights for bettors looking to profit from Thursday's slate of games.