Ryan Hodges
Welcome to the 2025-26 edition of the National Hockey League! The first puck of the NHL regular season officially drops on Tuesday night in Sunrise, Florida where the consecutive reigning Stanley Cup Champions will raise their second Stanley Cup banner in as many years while playing host to the Chicago Blackhawks. Games to follow will be the New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Los Angeles Kings hosting the Colorado Avalanche.
The NHL has a short off-season. But for hockey die-hards who just want to watch more of their favorite team or another big game, it is an agonizing wait. Fortunately, the wait is up! If you will be tuning in on Tuesday night and want to make it a little more interesting with a wager or two, below are a few we have our eyes on. Along with our 2025-26 NHL Opening Night preview, be sure to check out all of our NHL predictions for almost every slate throughout the season.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and available at time of publishing.
Panthers -1.5 (-110)
The Panthers have won the Eastern Conference 3 consecutive seasons and the Stanley Cup 2 consecutive seasons entering this year. They are clearly the bar that the rest of the NHL is chasing. If there was any doubt prior to hoisting their second cup in a row, there should no longer be any doubt. In any game, they are a difficult fade. Playing against the Chicago Blackhawks, they are a far more difficult fade.
Everything great mentioned above about the Panthers is almost inversely exactly true about the Blackhawks. Chicago has finished at or near the bottom of the NHL for 4 seasons entering this year. It does not exactly look like this season will be much of a step forward, either. Could this be a worse Panthers team or better Blackhawks team than widely expected? Maybe. But if the 2020’s are any indication, this is a very lopsided matchup in favor of the Panthers who will be raising another Stanley Cup banner in their home barn before puck drop.
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Spencer Knight over 28.5 saves (-110)
En route to what could be a big win for the Panthers, they have a good chance to get a lot of shots on goal. Last year, Chicago ranked 31st in the NHL in goals allowed per game and 30th in shots allowed per game. Meanwhile, the Panthers ranked 3rd in the league in shots on goal per game. In the event that averages from last year hold true in this one, Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight will have his hands full.
What gives this prop appeal, in addition to the sheer number of shots Knight could face, is that Knight was a Florida Panther just last season. He was traded to Chicago at the trade deadline for defenseman Seth Jones who went on to be instrumental in Florida’s championship run. Spencer Knight may bring a little extra focus to this revenge game. While it may not be enough in the end, it would be enough of a positive effort to save 29 or more shots.
Head over to our NHL odds page for all the latest odds on the game and futures markets
Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and available at time of publishing.
Game total under 5.5 (+110)
The Penguins and the Rangers both missed the playoffs last season which is a far departure from what feels like the last 20 years. It could be a tough season for Pittsburgh as they appear to be in a rebuild after their 3rd straight season missing the playoffs. Obviously, we do not know much about these teams until they have all played at least a few games. But to the naked eye, this roster does not exactly look like a postseason contender.
The same could arguably be said for the Rangers. On paper, they look a little bit deeper than the Penguins. But New York’s bottom 6 forwards leave plenty to be desired. In a game where teams are not as deep, in season shape, and may be a little bit rusty, it’s difficult to envision where the goals will come from. The plus money for this under, even at a lower total, looks like good value.
We’ll have expert NHL picks for EVERY GAME this season!
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and available at time of publishing.
Game total over 5.5 (-125)
The opposite is true for the Avalanche and Kings as was mentioned above about the Penguins and Rangers. Both teams have a ton of star power up and down the respective lineup. That is reason enough to like the over 5.5 goals for the game. What helps tip the scales even more so is the chip that both teams should have on their shoulder from the way their respective seasons ended last year.
Colorado was eliminated in the first round which made it 7 out of the last 8 seasons they have been bounced in the first or second round. The Kings lost in the first round for the 4th consecutive season and have not been out of the first round since 2014. Both of these teams will want to start the season hot and make a statement against a fellow good team. It only helps that everyone is healthy and fresh. Look for this one to be a fast paced game with potential to be high scoring.
Martin Necas 2+ points (+310)
Ever since Martin Necas was acquired for Mikko Rantanen, there has been a little bit of weirdness. Along with the the trade being very unexpected, Rantanen was a fan and teammate favorite, Stanley Cup winner, and eventually put the nail in Necas and the Avalanche coffin in the first round of the playoffs.
There have also been rumors that Necas is not happy in Colorado on a line with one of the best players in the world. Seems far-fetched. Also seems like all eyes on an opening night nationally televised game is a great opportunity for Necas and his teammates to quiet the noise. It certainly helps that Necas himself is a fast, talented player who put up 27 goals and 83 points in 79 games played last year. This could be a statement game from Necas after what is now a full offseason getting comfortable with his teammates, coaches, and systems.
Note: If +310 makes you a little gun shy, check out some other Martin Necas props on your sportsbook. There is still good value on individual markets for Necas.
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