NHL Best Bets Today – Thursday, October 16 2025

By: Dean Whitaker Published 10/16/2025, 12:00 PM ET
Auston Matthews looks to lead the Maple Leafs over the Rangers
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Thursday’s NHL slate is stacked with value, and we’re skating in scorching hot after a 3-0 sweep last night and an 11-4 run on our last 15 NHL Best Bets! Confidence is sky-high as we’ve locked in three elite plays backed by stats, trends, and matchup edges. The mission: stay red hot and keep cashing on the ice!

If you’re looking to cross-check the books and put some cash in your pocket, check out our free NHL picks

NHL Best Bet #1 - Montreal Takes Down Preds At Home

Montreal enters Thursday night’s matchup against Nashville riding a three-game win streak and showing strong early-season form. The Canadiens are 3–1 and coming off a 5–4 overtime win against Seattle, where Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki combined for five points. Suzuki leads the team with six assists, and Montreal has scored 15 goals through four games while converting on 17.65% of their power-play chances. Goaltender Jakub Dobes posted a .968 save percentage in his lone start, and the Canadiens have allowed just 12 goals total. With home ice at Bell Centre and a rested lineup, Montreal is well-positioned to extend its momentum.

Nashville, meanwhile, is coming off a 7–4 loss to Toronto and continues a four-game road trip through eastern Canada. The Predators have allowed 12 goals through four games and have converted just 5.88% of their power plays. Juuse Saros is expected to start and owns a .947 save percentage this season, but the defense in front of him has been inconsistent. Nashville has dropped three of its last five against Montreal and is just 1–3–1 in that span. With Montreal’s top line clicking and Nashville showing defensive lapses, the Canadiens are the sharper side to back in this Thursday night tilt.

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Best Bet #1

  • Montreal -155

NHL Best Bet #2 - Plenty Of Goals In Anaheim

Thursday night’s matchup between Carolina and Anaheim at Honda Center features a total of 6, and both teams have shown early-season scoring punch that supports the over. The Hurricanes lead the NHL in goals per game (5.00) through three contests and are coming off a dominant 5–1 win over San Jose. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis have combined for 8 points, and 16 of Carolina’s 20 skaters have registered at least one point. Their top six forwards are generating high-danger chances consistently, and they’ve scored 14 of their 15 goals at even strength. While their power play has lagged (9.09%), their shot volume and puck possession have overwhelmed opponents.

Anaheim counters with a young, aggressive lineup that’s scored 12 goals through three games, including 4 on the power play (36.36%). Chris Kreider leads the Ducks with 4 goals, and rookies Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson have added 9 points combined. The Ducks have allowed 12 goals, and their goaltending has been shaky—Lukas Dostal owns a 3.08 GAA, while Petr Mrazek has a 6.02 GAA and .739 save percentage. With both teams capable of generating offense and Anaheim’s defensive vulnerabilities, this matchup sets up well to clear the posted total of 6.

  • Carolina/ Anaheim Over 6

NHL Best Bet #3 - Toronto Flexes Muscles At Home

Toronto hosts the New York Rangers on Thursday night with Anthony Stolarz making his fourth start of the season. The Maple Leafs are 2–2 and coming off a 7–4 win over Nashville, powered by multi-point efforts from Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares. Toronto leads the NHL in goals scored (18) through four games and is converting on 31.6% of its power-play chances. Stolarz has faced 78 shots across his first three starts and will look to bounce back after allowing three goals on 15 shots in Monday’s 3–2 loss to Detroit.

The Rangers, meanwhile, are 2–3 and have been shut out in three of their five games. Igor Shesterkin has been excellent statistically (0.75 GAA, .971 SV%) but has received minimal goal support in losses. New York has scored just 10 total goals this season, and their power play has yet to find rhythm. With Toronto’s top-six rolling and the Rangers struggling to finish, the Leafs have the offensive edge. If Stolarz gets even average support from his defense, Toronto is well-positioned to secure the win at home.

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  • Toronto -140

Recapping Today's NHL Best Bets

  • Montreal -155 over Nashville
  • Carolina/Anaheim Over 6
  • Toronto -140 over NY Rangers

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