Bets Odds and Predictions for NHL Today: Picks, Props and Parlays Oct 9

Written By Nick Crain | Last Updated at October 9, 2025
May 17, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) and defenseman Luke Schenn (5) and Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) battle for position in the crease during the third period in game six of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The NHL season just kicked off two nights ago, and for many of the teams taking the ice tonight, it’s their long-awaited season opener. Fans are finally getting their first look at new line combinations, offseason additions. and early chemistry.

Meanwhile, bettors dive headfirst into the action on the top sports betting apps. With so many sportsbooks offering fresh promotions to start the year, there’s no shortage of value on the board. From boosted odds to limited time promos, opening week provides the perfect chance to find an edge early in the season.

With that in mind, here’s a set of opening week NHL picks for tonight's slate and why the matchups provide an edge today. Whether you take these standalone or as the larger parlay, these picks come with tremendous value.

Early Season Overs

📊  Parlay Odds (via Caesars Sportsbook): +528💰

Oftentimes, early in the season, offenses outpace defenses. It's much easier for teams to build chemistry and have success scoring the puck than it is for defensive units to work together to keep the goalie clean.

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As such, taking the overs in games that feature high-powered scorers is an attractive early-season betting tactic. Caesars Sportsbook promos early in the season are a great way to further maximize value on bets like this.

Coming Out on Top

📊 Parlay Odds (via BetMGM): +382💰

It's early enough in the season that moneyline odds can be among the most valuable NHL bets to lean into. While there's plenty of data to project how competitive each team will be around the league, the head-to-head matchups for each team and the new roster composition for each squad throw a quirk in things.

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As such, I tend to lean on the top teams from the season prior that didn't undergo massive downgrades in roster quality. BetMGM promotions early in the season can also juice your upside for these moneyline bets.

Identifying Point Scorers

📊  Parlay Odds (via BetMGM): +378💰

When placing bets on players to score points in the NHL, the best value is in taking players who can register that point by scoring or assisting. That multi-faceted approach provides a higher probability than a player known for scoring goals, but doesn't produce many assists.

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When it comes to Wyatt Johnston, Roman Josi and Brayden Point, this is a trio of players who have a history of being able to generate points in both of those ways with a balanced offensive game.

Whether you’re playing individual legs or stringing them together for a larger payout, these NHL player props and parlays showcase some of the best edges on Thursday's board. Finding value before there's more data on these teams and sportsbooks adjusting is a unique opportunity over the first week of the season.

All Odds as of 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 8

Mandatory Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images