NHL Tips: Opening Night Picks, Predictions & Odds October 7
It's opening night in the NHL and we kick off with three games on the schedule, including the Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers.
I've got my NHL tips below, covering all three games with a best bet for each, and plenty of storylines to follow, both on opening night, and as the season unfolds.
All picks are accompanied by odds from the best betting sites, ensuring you get the best value on your bets!
NHL Tips: Florida Panthers vs Chicago Blackhawks
The Panthers are back looking for the three-peat, but news that Aleksander Barkov will miss the season has rocked the team, and made life much tougher.
But without getting too ahead of ourselves, looking specifically at tonight, and I don't think they could have asked for a better introduction on opening night, taking on the Blackhawks, who look set to struggle once again this season.
Can Connor Bedard take another step forward? Almost certainly, but I don't think it'll be anywhere near enough for him to really drag this team out of the mud.
I'm cautious about the Panthers overall, no Barkov and having to do it all again after two huge cup runs and wins, but in terms of tonight, they can take this one and get the show on the road once again.
From a betting tips perspective, I like the idea of focusing on the first period here. It's banner raising night, the building is going to be buzzing and I fancy the Panthers to catch the Blackhawks cold because of that.
I'll start the season by taking Florida to win the first period here.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Odds
Here's how the betting markets shape up for the Panthers vs Blackhawks tonight, using a range of bookmakers on Free Bets to find the best odds for each selection.
NHL Tips: New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Have we really considered just how bad the Penguins could be this season? It's going to be tough, watching their ageing vets struggle night by night, unless of course they move, but I get the feeling that Sidney Crosby is the only one that could do that.
I don't think either team is blessed with huge scoring talent across their top six, and when you couple that with the traditionally slower pace we see at the start of the season, from a betting perspective, I think it's best to ignore the match winner here, and focus on goals, or in my case, lack of goals.
The Penguins scored less than three goals per game on average last season, and they've done nothing in the summer to improve that. The Rangers sat on just over three per game, but as it's the first matchup of the season, I'm still not convinced.
I'll stretch the stats in order to get the price. Under 4.5 goals in the game is my pick here, in one that might just be a pretty boring watch.
Rangers vs Penguins Odds
Here's a look at the match odds for the game in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
NHL Tips: Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche
Onto the final game on the slate, the one I'll be watching, so I'm hoping it's a much livelier game than the predictions for the Rangers game above.
I think the Avs have a real shot to take a big step forward this season, and get back to challenging legitimately for the Stanley Cup.
The Kings can be competitive, the third wheel in the Pacific Division behind Edmonton and Vegas, but at the same time, they lack a star man and rely on scoring by committee. Compare that to the Avs, and they've got two of the world's best in Nathan MacKinnon in Cale Makar.
But it's a different player I'm looking at here, Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog. Out for almost two years after lifting the Stanley Cup, he returned for the playoffs at the end of last season, and while he was good, you can't help but think he'll be a much better player now, with a full summer and training camp on his back.
Gabe leads from the front, and on his true return to the team to lead them again into the new season, I think he's a fair price to score a goal in the game.
Kings vs Avalanche Odds
Here's how the bookmakers see this one going, with latest game odds below.
How to Watch NHL in the UK
NHL coverage in the UK comes on two platforms, with the biggest of those being DAZN, who have taken over the running of NHL TV this season around the world.
They offer live games, highlights and more, if you're a big fan and want every game at your fingertips, then DAZN is the place to get that.
Alternatively, Premier Sports carry TV coverage in the UK, and host a number of games throughout the season.
It's a bumper start for them on Tuesday night, as they will be showing all three games live on their channels.
Betting Tips on Freebets
Here's a look at more tips available on Freebets including darts tips for tonight's action from the Darts World Grand Prix in Leicester.
