NHL Best Bets Today: October 1 Picks & Predictions
Thursday night will feature the first solid slate of the NHL season with eight games on tap. Whether you will be tuning in to watch your favorite team's first game, or you are just here to find some action, we have you covered.
Here are a few NHL best bets that may be worth considering today — with lines and odds courtesy of BetMGM at the time of writing. Also, be sure to check out all of our NHL predictions for every game throughout the season, including all eight matchups tonight.
NHL Best Bet: Jack Hughes (NJ) over 0.5 assists in Flyers vs Devils (-113)
Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils will be kicking off their season at home on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers will be on the second half of a back-to-back as they were in action on Wednesday night, when they suffered a humiliating 7-0 home loss to rivals Pittsburgh. Hughes and the Devils will be well-rested and looking to take advantage of the Flyers.
Hughes had 50 assists last season in only 61 games played. He plays top-line minutes and has a new scoring threat skating beside him on his left flank in Anthony Mantha. Mantha can put the puck in the net and is coming off of a 33-goal campaign with the Penguins. Hughes is also the main driver of the Devils' top powerplay unit, so look for him to get some opportunities to tally an assist on the powerplay.
Lock in our Flyers vs Devils pick for today
NHL Best Bet: Mammoth -1.5 over Blackhawks (+115)
The Utah Mammoth will be hosting the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night for their home and season opener. The Mammoth are primed to be a legit threat this season in the Central Division. Offseason acquisitions Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee have made this forward group even deeper. They have some young dynamic players in Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley, and when you mix in these savvy veterans, they could be lethal.
They will be going up against a young Blackhawks team that is without superstar Connor Bedard. Without Bedard in the lineup, they are very thin up front. Last season, the Mammoth averaged 3.27 goals per game, while the Blackhawks only averaged 2.56. The Blackhawks were also very poor defensively, averaging 3.29 goals against per game. Look for the Mammoth to start the season off hot on home ice with a big win against the Blackhawks.
Get the whole analysis of our Blackhawks vs Mammoth prediction
NHL Best Bet: Oilers -1.5 over Canucks (+115)
The Edmonton Oilers lost their home opener on Tuesday night against the Vancouver Canucks 6-5 in overtime. The Oilers outshot the Canucks by a wide margin of 37-23, and they only managed to score on one of four powerplay opportunities. Last season, the Oilers' powerplay led the league by operating at a 30.6% success rate. In Tuesday’s game, both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were unable to find the back of the net. I do not expect this to be the case on Thursday.
The Canucks are a very young team with an inexperienced head coach. They are expected to be towards the bottom of the league for most of this season. Mike Babcock should have the Oilers flying on Thursday, looking for a big bounce-back performance. Look for both Draisaitl and McDavid to leave their mark in what should be a big win for the Oilers.
Read our full Oilers vs Canucks prediction for tonight's NHL matchup
