The NHL season officially kicked off last night with an exhilarating three-game slate, setting the stage for a thrilling campaign ahead. As we transition into today, a full five-game slate awaits, brimming with exciting matchups and betting opportunities.
Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to the world of NHL wagering, today’s games present numerous enticing angles, including moneylines, puck lines, and prop bets. With teams eager to establish their early-season identities, there’s plenty to consider. Let’s explore the top matchups and uncover the best bets for tonight’s action!
Matchups
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montreal Canadiens
- Puck Drop: 7:00 PM ET
- TV Information: Sportsnet; ESPN+
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -180 | -198 | -1.5 (+124) | o6.5 (-122) |
| Montreal Canadiens | +150 | +164 | +1.5 (-148) | u6.5 (+102) |
Preview:
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to kick off their 2024-25 season against the Montreal Canadiens. After another disappointing campaign, where they were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Leafs are looking to turn things around. They’re bringing back their core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander, hoping that new head coach Craig Berube can be the game-changer they need. There’s already cause for concern in Toronto with their goaltender situation as Joseph Woll who was slated to start in their home opener will not due to lower body tightness meaning newly acquired Anthony Stolarz will get the nod.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens missed the postseason for the 3rd straight season, but there’s reason for optimism with a promising group of young talent, including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and rookie Lane Hutson.
Starting Goaltenders:
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Anthony Stolarz (Confirmed)
- Montreal Canadiens: Samuel Montembealut (Confirmed)
Key Stats & Trends:
- Toronto is 5-0 in their last 5 matchups against Montreal.
Best Bets:
- Toronto Maple Leafs in Regulation (-120) – DraftKings
The Leafs are poised to come out strong in their season opener under new head coach Craig Berube. This marks the fourth consecutive season opener between these two teams, with the Leafs winning the previous three matchups, and I expect that trend to continue tonight. Despite the absence of Woll, Anthony Stolarz is a more than capable replacement, having finished third in the NHL last season in Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).
- Cole Caufield over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-120) – DraftKings
Cole Caufield has been a central figure in Montreal’s offense, amassing 65 points last season. He is also a vital member of the Canadiens’ first power play unit, which is expected to see several opportunities in tonight’s game.
Last year, Caufield led the team in both shots on goal and shot attempts. He finished the season strong, meeting his shots-on-goal quota in seven of his last eight games while averaging 4.9 shots on goal and 7.8 shot attempts during that stretch.
Caufield also has a solid history against Toronto, recording over 3.5 shots on goal in three of their last four matchups. Furthermore, last season, the Maple Leafs ranked 17th in the league for shots on goal allowed per game, giving up an average of 29.80 shots. When examining the distribution by position, Toronto conceded the fourth-most shots on goal per game to left wingers.
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
- Puck Drop: 7:30 PM ET
- TV Information: TNT
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| New York Rangers | -125 | -148 | -1.5 (+180) | o6.0 (-115) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +105 | +124 | +1.5 (-218) | u6.0 (-105) |
Preview:
The 2024 Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers will go head-to-head with the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener. The Rangers have come tantalizingly close to reaching the Stanley Cup in recent years, having lost in the Eastern Conference Finals twice in the last three seasons. On the other hand, the Penguins, who have missed the playoffs in the past two seasons, are eager to turn their fortunes around this year with their veteran core seeking to make one final push for postseason success.
Starting Goaltenders:
- New York Rangers: Igor Shesterkin (Expected)
- Pittsburgh Penguins: Tristan Jarry (Expected)
Key Stats & Trends:
- New York is 4-1 in their last 5 matchups against Pittsburgh.
Best Bets:
- New York Rangers in Regulation (+110) – FanDuel
The Rangers’ core remains intact from last year’s Presidents’ Trophy-winning team. New York returns all six of their highest scorers from the 2023-24 season, along with 11 of their top 13 scorers overall. The departures were minimal, with only Erik Gustafsson, Blake Wheeler, and Barclay Goodrow leaving, as well as their trade rentals, Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg.
Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks
- Puck Drop: 10:00 PM ET
- TV Information: Sportsnet; ESPN+
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Calgary Flames | +180 | +164 | +1.5 (-148) | o6.0 (-130) |
| Vancouver Canucks | -218 | -198 | -1.5 (+124) | u6.0 (+110) |
Preview:
The Canucks aim to build on their successful season after reaching the second round of the playoffs last year. Their core remains intact, led by stars J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Quinn Hughes, who won the Norris Trophy last season. Vancouver has also bolstered its offense with the additions of Jake Debrusk and Danton Heinen. However, Thatcher Demko will begin the season sidelined due to a lower-body injury, leaving Arthur Silovs and Keven Lankinen as the goaltending tandem.
In contrast, the Flames struggled last season and traded away several veterans, including Andrew Mangiapane and Jacob Markstrom. With Markstrom gone, Dustin Wolf and Dan Vladar will take over the goaltending duties. Adding to their challenges, Calgary’s leading goal-scorer from last season, Yegor Sharangovich, is out with a lower-body injury that will keep him sidelined on a week-to-week basis.
Starting Goaltenders:
- Calgary Flames: Daniel Vladar (Confirmed)
- Vancouver Canucks: Artus Silovs (Expected)
Key Stats & Trends:
- Vancouver is 4-1 in their last 5 matchups against Calgary.
Best Bets:
- Jake Debrusk over 0.5 points (-105) – BetMGM
Jake DeBrusk is coming off a strong 40-point season with the Boston Bruins, where he scored 19 goals and recorded 28 assists. He is poised to make an immediate impact in his regular-season debut with the Canucks. The 27-year-old winger will join a top-six line alongside Elias Pettersson and Daniel Sprong, and he’ll also play a role on the team’s first power play unit. DeBrusk is ready to capitalize on the chance to play in the bumper position, positioning himself as a key one-timer option for J.T. Miller.
Winnipeg Jets @ Edmonton Oilers
- Puck Drop:10:00 PM ET
- TV Information: Sportsnet; ESPN+
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Winnipeg Jets | +145 | +140 | +1.5 (-180) | o6.5 (+105) |
| Edmonton Oilers | -175 | -166 | -1.5 (+150) | u6.5 (-125) |
Preview:
The Winnipeg Jets aim to kick off the season on a positive note following a disappointing first-round playoff exit last year. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are gearing up for another strong push toward the Stanley Cup after reaching the finals last season, falling just one game short.
Starting Goaltenders:
- Winnipeg Jets: Connor Hellebuyck (Confirmed)
- Edmonton Oilers: Stuart Skinner (Confirmed)
Key Stats & Trends:
- N/A
Best Bets:
- Edmonton Oilers in Regulation (-110) – DraftKings
I expect the Oilers to come out strong tonight, driven by an inspired performance from Connor McDavid. While the Winnipeg Jets have a solid roster and should be a playoff contender, they’ll be overmatched by an Edmonton team that’s on a mission this season.
- Connor McDavid over 0.5 Power Play points (-130) – BetMGM
Edmonton’s power play remains intact from last season, a unit that ranked 4th in PP% during the regular season and 2nd in the playoffs. They’ll be up against a Winnipeg penalty kill that struggled, finishing 21st in the regular season and 15th in the playoffs. Connor McDavid also has an excellent track record against the Jets, having recorded at least one Power Play point in each of their last five matchups.
Top Betting Trends and Stats
- Favorites on Fire: In the opening five games of the NHL season, favorites have claimed victory in 80% of matchups.
Betting Strategy of the Week
Early Season Bankroll Management
As the 2024-25 NHL season gets underway, enthusiasm is palpable among fans and bettors alike. The excitement of wagering on your favorite teams, players, and matchups can be incredibly alluring. However, as the season begins, it’s vital to approach your betting strategy with care, particularly when it comes to managing your bankroll.
The early part of the NHL season is often marked by unpredictability. Teams are still adjusting to new rosters, coaching philosophies, and playing styles. Effective bankroll management is essential for any sports bettor, but it becomes even more critical during these unpredictable initial stages.
While analyzing trends is a cornerstone of sports betting, early-season trends can frequently be deceptive. A team may enjoy a strong start, winning their first few games, which can lead bettors to believe they are legitimate contenders. However, as the season progresses, these early successes may turn out to be anomalies rather than reliable indicators of future performance. For example, a team could have faced weaker opponents or benefited from favorable officiating in those opening games.
Moreover, statistics and data from the first few weeks can distort perceptions of a team’s capabilities. Relying too heavily on early-season performance may result in hasty decisions and misjudgments, leading to significant losses.
As the season unfolds, teams will find their rhythm, and patterns will emerge. Bettors who remain patient and cautious during the early weeks will be better positioned to capitalize on trends and insights as the season develops. Waiting a few weeks to gather data on how teams perform in various situations can provide a clearer picture of what to expect moving forward.
Taking the time to assess how rosters settle, how teams perform at home versus on the road, and how they adapt to different playing styles can significantly enhance your betting strategy as the season progresses.
The early stages of the NHL season brim with promise, excitement, and uncertainty. While the temptation to dive into the action is strong, prudent bankroll management is crucial for long-term success. By exercising caution with your bankroll, setting clear budgets, and concentrating on value bets, you can navigate the early season’s unpredictability more effectively. As teams establish their identities, you’ll be in a much stronger position to make informed betting decisions and maximize your returns.
Remember, successful sports betting is not solely about making the right picks; it’s also about managing your money wisely. So, proceed with caution in these early weeks, and set yourself up for a rewarding NHL season ahead!
Promotions/ Sources:
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Shot Propz – Shots on Goal by Position
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.
