Tonight’s NHL slate is packed, with fourteen games scheduled across the league.
Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to NHL wagering, today’s matchups offer plenty of opportunities, from moneylines and puck lines to player props. With teams looking to establish their early-season identities, there’s a lot to consider. Let’s break down the top games and highlight the best bets for tonight’s action!
Chicago Blackhawks @ Boston Bruins
Chicago Blackhawks (+136) – DraftKings
The Blackhawks played a competitive game against the defending Stanley Cup champions on Tuesday, falling 3-2 in a close matchup. The Bruins are coming off an upset win over the Capitals last night, winning 3-1. However, Washington actually led in expected goals 4.33 to 3.06, with Boston relying heavily on Jeremy Swayman’s stellar performance in goal, posting a +3.33 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx). If Joonas Korpisalo gets the start tonight for Boston after recording a -1.7 GSAx last season, Chicago has a good chance to steal one on the road against a team playing on back-to-back nights. Arvid Soderblom is confirmed in net for the Blackhawks and posted a +1.0 GSAx over 36 games last season.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Florida Panthers
Matvei Michkov 1+ Points (-113) – FanDuel
Matvei Michkov enters his second NHL season after an impressive rookie year, recording 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 80 games. His offensive style sometimes clashed with former head coach John Tortorella, who was let go late in the season. After the coaching change, Michkov thrived, posting 12 points in just 9 games.
This season, Michkov is expected to skate on Philadelphia’s top line alongside Christian Dvorak and Sean Couturier. Newly acquired Trevor Zegras adds a significant offensive boost to a Flyers team that ranked 24th in goals per game and 30th on the power play last season. Zegras’ presence should create more scoring opportunities for Michkov, especially on the man advantage.
New York Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres
Josh Norris 1+ Point (-115) – DraftKings
Josh Norris, acquired from the Ottawa Senators at last season’s trade deadline, saw limited action with the Sabres due to injury, posting just one point in three games. Now fully healthy, Norris looked outstanding in the preseason, tallying seven points (three goals, four assists) across four games. He’s expected to center Buffalo’s top line alongside Tage Thompson and Zach Benson. Benson took a puck to the face in practice yesterday but is expected to suit up tonight. Norris will also skate on the first power-play unit, giving him multiple paths to get on the scoresheet against the Rangers.
Josh Norris 1+ Point & Tage Thompson 1+ Point (+160) – DraftKings
If you’re looking for a more aggressive play, consider pairing Norris with Tage Thompson for a (+160) parlay. Both skate on the Sabres top line and first power-play unit, giving them plenty of shared opportunities to produce. During the preseason, Thompson factored in on six of Norris’ seven points.
New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Under 6.0 (-110) – BetMGM
The Islanders open their season on the road against the Penguins, who are coming off a 3-0 win over the Rangers on Tuesday. Ilya Sorokin will start in goal for New York after finishing 10th in Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) last season. Tristan Jarry is expected to start for Pittsburgh and will look to bounce back from a disappointing year. In three preseason appearances, Jarry went 1-0-0 with a 2.95 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage.
With Sorokin between the pipes and both offenses still finding their rhythm early in the season, this matchup sets up well for a low-scoring game.
New Jersey Devils @ Carolina Hurricanes
Nikolaj Ehlers 1+ Point (-145) – DraftKings
Newly acquired Nikolaj Ehlers signed a six-year, $51 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes over the offseason. He is set to skate on Carolina’s top line alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis and will also be on the Hurricanes’ top power-play unit. Last season, Ehlers recorded 63 points in 69 games with the Winnipeg Jets. He also has a strong history against the New Jersey Devils, recording a point in each of his last four matchups for a total of seven points during that span.
Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues
Jimmy Snuggerud 1+ Point (+112) – FanDuel
Last season, University of Minnesota product Jimmy Snuggerud appeared in seven games for the St. Louis Blues, recording four points (one goal, three assists). In his final college season, he was a top-10 finalist for the 2025 Hobey Baker Award. Snuggerud is set to skate on St. Louis’ top line alongside Pavel Buchnevich and Robert Thomas and will also play on the Blues’ top power-play unit.
He should see plenty of ice time tonight and has already shown he can handle the transition from college to the pros, as reflected in his stats from last season. At +112, this is a strong price for a player on the first line and top power-play unit. For comparison, his linemates Buchnevich and Thomas, who also play on the top power-play unit, are listed at -150 and -230, respectively, for 1+ point tonight.
Dallas Stars @ Winnipeg Jets
Gabriel Vilardi 1+ Point (-135) – DraftKings
Gabriel Vilardi is set to skate on Winnipeg’s top line alongside Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele and will also play on the Jets’ top power-play unit. He had a career year last season, recording 61 points in 71 games despite battling some injury issues. With first-line and top power-play minutes, Vilardi should have plenty of opportunities to get on the scoresheet tonight.
At -135, this is a strong price for a player in his role. For comparison, his linemates Connor and Scheifele, who also play on the top power-play unit, are listed at -280 and -230, respectively, for 1+ point tonight.
Late Add: Roope Hintz 1+ Point (-120) – DraftKings
Vegas Golden Knights @ San Jose Sharks
Pick: Vegas Golden Knights (-130) – DraftKings
The Vegas Golden Knights blew a 5-3 third-period lead with eight minutes remaining last night and ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Kings in a shootout. With high expectations this season, Vegas is poised to bounce back tonight and respond after a disappointing loss. They take on the San Jose Sharks, an inferior opponent, in what should be a statement game for the team.
Longshot Parlay:
We cashed a Longshot Parlay (+1988) last night, so let’s see if we can do it again. Here’s my Longshot Parlay (+3488) for tonight.
Sources:
Linemate – Player/ Team Props
I’ve been using Linemate since the start, and it has proven to be an invaluable resource for NHL betting. One of its standout features is the comprehensive data and analytics that help bettors make informed decisions when placing prop bets. The platform also boasts a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both experienced bettors and newcomers alike, allowing them to easily navigate and find the best prop bets. By utilizing Linemate’s robust tools and resources, NHL prop betters can significantly enhance their chances of making profitable wagers throughout the season. Beyond NHL betting, Linemate also provides in-depth data on various other sports, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, EPL, and many more leagues and sports.
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.
