The best NHL handicapper of the 2026-27 season is David Racey, at 67-55 (54.92%) for +$496. Brian Bitler (+$293) and CD Sports (+$241) round out the top three. Updated November 5, 2026.
These rankings use each handicapper NHL record tracked on PickDawgz this season, graded on a $100 base bet. Cappers are ranked by profit, not win percentage, which matters more in hockey than in most sports because so many NHL bets are moneylines at different prices.
David Racey67-55 · 54.92%+$496 profit #2
Brian Bitler17-14 · 54.84%+$293 profit #3
CD Sports4-2 · 66.67%+$241 profit Best NHL Handicappers 2026-27 Rankings
| Capper | Won | Lost | Win % | Profit (per $100 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Racey | 67 | 55 | 54.92% | +496 |
| Brian Bitler | 17 | 14 | 54.84% | +293 |
| CD Sports | 4 | 2 | 66.67% | +241 |
| Rodd Zawacky | 23 | 24 | 48.94% | +236 |
| Chris Ruffolo | 47 | 37 | 55.95% | +231 |
| John Ryan | 5 | 4 | 55.56% | +21 |
Top NHL Handicappers This Season
David Racey
David Racey leads the NHL board at 67-55 for +$496. With 122 plays, he has released more NHL picks than anyone else in the rankings, so his profit is built on the largest sample on the board, not a short hot streak.
Brian Bitler
Brian Bitler is second at 17-14 for +$293, a 54.84% win rate across 31 plays. Bitler is also in the top three of our NFL rankings this season.
CD Sports
CD Sports rounds out the top three at 4-2 for +$241. That is a small sample, but the profit shows CD Sports has been cashing plays at plus-money prices.
Further down, Rodd Zawacky is a good example of why hockey records need context. He is 23-24, under .500, yet up $236, because his winners have come at better prices than his losers.
How to Pick an NHL Handicapper
Look at profit, not just win percentage. Most NHL bets are moneylines, so a handicapper who picks underdogs can win less than half the time and still make money. Profit shows whether following them actually pays.
Check the sample size. Hockey has a lot of randomness from bounces and hot goalies. A handful of plays tells you very little; 80 or more tells you a lot more.
Know what they are betting. Moneylines, puck lines and totals carry very different prices. A handicapper living on heavy favorites needs a much higher win rate to turn a profit.
Be wary of big promises. Claims of 80% or 90% winners in hockey are a red flag. Realistic, steady profit is what matters.
What Makes NHL Betting Different
The NHL plays an 82-game season with games almost every night, and most bets are on the moneyline rather than a point spread. The puck line, usually set at 1.5 goals, works like a spread but changes the price a lot.
Starting goalies can swing a line more than any single player in most sports, so late goalie confirmations, back-to-backs and travel spots all matter. The best NHL handicappers track these closely.
NHL Handicapper FAQ
Who is the best NHL handicapper right now?
As of November 5, 2026, David Racey leads the 2026-27 NHL leaderboard at 67-55 for +$496, with Brian Bitler second at +$293. The season is still young, so the order can change.
Why can an NHL handicapper be under .500 and still profit?
Most hockey bets are moneylines, so underdogs pay more than they risk. A handicapper who wins at plus-money prices can lose more bets than they win and still finish ahead, which is why we rank by profit instead of win rate.
What is the puck line in NHL betting?
The puck line is the NHL version of a point spread, almost always set at 1.5 goals. Betting the favorite on the puck line pays more than the moneyline but needs a win by two or more goals, while the underdog covers by losing by one or winning.
How is NHL handicapper profit calculated?
Every NHL pick is graded as a flat $100 risk at the price it was released at. A winning +130 underdog adds $130, a winning -150 favorite adds about $67, and any loss takes away $100.
How often are the NHL rankings updated?
The rankings follow the PickDawgz NHL leaderboard, which updates as games go final. With games almost every night, the order can shift daily during the season.
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