NHL Best Bets Today – Thursday, October 9 2025
Use Code WWWC Thursday’s NHL slate is packed with betting opportunities, and we’re ready to hit the ice running. After a strong night across the board, momentum is on our side heading into tonight’s matchups. We’ve zeroed in on three NHL plays that stand out, backed by advanced metrics, recent form, and situational value. The goal is simple—keep the momentum rolling and stack more profits as we skate into Thursday night’s action.
Below, let's take a look at some of my favorite NHL picks for today, in best bets form.
NHL Best Bet #1 - Tampa Looks To Start Fast
Tampa Bay opens the 2025–26 season with a veteran core and a proven system that gives them the edge over Ottawa in tonight’s matchup. The Lightning return Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman — all healthy and rested — and Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start after a strong preseason showing. Tampa’s top line remains one of the most efficient scoring units in the league, and their power play finished top 10 last season. Against an Ottawa team still building defensive chemistry, the Lightning’s puck control and transition game should tilt possession early and often.
Ottawa enters with optimism after last season’s playoff breakthrough, but they’ll need to overcome a tough road environment and a disciplined Tampa forecheck. Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle lead a young, aggressive top six, but the Senators’ bottom pair and goaltending remain question marks. Tampa Bay has won six of the last eight meetings and tends to start fast, especially at home. If Vasilevskiy locks in and the Lightning’s top line generates early zone time, Tampa has the structure and finishing talent to open the season with a convincing win.
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Also See: Ottawa vs Tampa Bay Prediction
Best Bet #1
- Tampa Bay -164
NHL Best Bet #2 - Plenty Of Goals In the Shark Tank
The Over 6 in Vegas vs San Jose remains a strong angle for Opening Night, driven by Vegas’s offensive depth and San Jose’s defensive instability. The Golden Knights return Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Chandler Stephenson, and they’ve added scoring punch with Brendan Brisson and Pavel Dorofeyev stepping into larger roles. Logan Thompson is expected to start in net, and Vegas tends to open the season with pace and pressure — averaging over 3.7 goals per game in October across the last two years. San Jose counters with a youthful forward group led by Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, and Will Smith, all capable of generating transition chances and power play looks despite limited NHL experience.
Defensively, San Jose remains one of the league’s weakest units. They allowed 3.9 goals per game last season (30th in the NHL) and open 2025–26 with Alex Nedeljkovic and Yaroslav Askarov in net — a tandem that’s talented but unproven behind a porous blue line. Vegas has dominated this matchup, winning seven of the last eight meetings and averaging 4.1 goals per game in those contests. If San Jose’s young forwards can capitalize on transition chances and Vegas converts on early power plays, this game has the ingredients for a high-scoring opener. With fresh legs, aggressive systems, and shaky defensive depth on one side, the Over 6 has room to clear.
- Vegas/ San Jose Over 6
NHL Best Bet #3 - Stars Take Down Jets On the Road
Dallas enters the 2025–26 season opener against Winnipeg with a deep, balanced roster and a defensive structure that gives them the edge in this Central Division clash. The Stars return their top scoring threats — Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Matt Duchene — alongside a blue line anchored by Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley. Jake Oettinger is expected to start in net, and his consistency gives Dallas a clear advantage over Winnipeg’s tandem, which struggled with rebound control and high-danger chances last season. With a top-10 power play and strong puck possession metrics, Dallas is built to control tempo and capitalize on Winnipeg’s defensive gaps.
Winnipeg enters the season with questions in the middle six and a blue line that’s still adjusting after offseason turnover. While Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele remain dangerous, the Jets’ depth scoring and penalty kill were liabilities last year, and they’ll be tested early by Dallas’ aggressive forecheck. The Stars have won five of the last seven meetings and tend to start fast at home, where their structure and goaltending shine. If Oettinger locks in and Dallas’ top line generates early zone time, the Stars are well-positioned to open the season with a convincing win over a Jets team still searching for rhythm.
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- Dallas -108
Recapping Today's NHL Best Bets
- Toronto -164 over Ottawa
- Vegas/ San Jose Over 6
- Dallas -108 over Winnipeg
