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NHL Best Bets Today | Best NHL Player Props, Anytime Goal Scorer Picks & NHL Predictions for Today (Oct 5)

NHL Best Bets Today | Best NHL Player Props, Anytime Goal Scorer Picks & NHL Predictions for Today (Oct 5) article feature image
15 min read

Four NHL games light up tonight's board, and our anytime goal scorer picks lean on early-season roles across every matchup on the slate.

  • Early returns separate contenders from stragglers fast, and tonight's NHL best bets today board already reflects some lopsided early records across both conferences.
  • Every pick below comes from a live Polymarket goal scorer market, with prices moving as lineups and goalie news trickle in before puck drop.

Here is our full picks table before we break down every game tonight and the best NHL player props tied to each one.

🏒 Game (Start)🏷️ Goal Scorer: Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It
PHI vs TBL (7:00 PM ET)Nikita Kucherov 1+ Goals: Yes | 38¢$252.28Trade it on Polymarket!
PHI vs TBL (7:00 PM ET)Brandon Hagel 1+ Goals: Yes | 35.83¢$267.18Trade it on Polymarket!
PHI vs TBL (7:00 PM ET)Travis Konecny 1+ Goals: Yes | 23.23¢$408.70Trade it on Polymarket!
OTT vs BOS (7:30 PM ET)David Pastrnak 1+ Goals: Yes | 38¢$252.28Trade it on Polymarket!
OTT vs BOS (7:30 PM ET)Tim Stutzle 1+ Goals: Yes | 30¢$208.42Trade it on Polymarket!
WPG vs PIT (7:30 PM ET)Kyle Connor 1+ Goals: Yes | 37.19¢$257.65Trade it on Polymarket!
WPG vs PIT (7:30 PM ET)Sidney Crosby 1+ Goals: Yes | 36.13¢$265.01Trade it on Polymarket!
WPG vs PIT (7:30 PM ET)Evgeni Malkin 1+ Goals: Yes | 30.17¢$316.13Trade it on Polymarket!
SJS vs DAL (8:00 PM ET)Macklin Celebrini 1+ Goals: Yes | 38¢$252.28Trade it on Polymarket!
SJS vs DAL (8:00 PM ET)Mikko Rantanen 1+ Goals: Yes | 35.3¢$271.08Trade it on Polymarket!

NHL Best Bets Today: Our Top Polymarket Picks and Best NHL Player Props for Tonight's Slate

Every pick below is a real trade we'd make after redeeming the Polymarket promo code (ACTION), part of our full NHL best bets today across this four-game slate.

Use Polymarket promo code ACTION and Deposit $10, Get a $25 Trading Bonus!

Flyers vs Lightning Prediction

Philadelphia opens this slate at 0-1-2, still chasing its first regulation win of the young season, while Tampa Bay arrives at 1-1-0 with real firepower up front.

Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel give the Lightning two of the league's most dangerous finishers on paper, and Travis Konecny remains Philadelphia's clearest individual scoring threat even with the Flyers still finding their footing.

🏒 Pick🏷️ Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It
TBL MoneylineYes | 67%$49.25Trade it on Polymarket!
PHI MoneylineYes | 34%$194.12Trade it on Polymarket!
TBL -1.5Yes | 45%$122.22Trade it on Polymarket!
Over 5.5Yes | 54%$85.19Trade it on Polymarket!

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Nikita Kucherov 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Nikita Kucherov 1+ Goals Yes | 38¢$252.28Trade it now on Polymarket!

Kucherov remains one of the league's premier playmaking wingers, and a near-38% price reflects how often he finds his way onto the scoresheet in any given game.

Philadelphia's blue line is still settling in early this season, and a Lightning power play looking to assert itself against a shorthanded Flyers group only raises Kucherov's goal equity tonight.

At a $100 buy near 38 cents, this trade works out to roughly 263 shares, and the gap between that raw share value and Polymarket's stated $252.28 payout reflects normal order book depth and fees, not an error.

  • If Kucherov scores: profit of $252.28.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

It's priced close to a true number, but the payout still pays back more than double your stake in pure profit.

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Brandon Hagel 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Brandon Hagel 1+ Goals Yes | 35.83¢$267.18Trade it now on Polymarket!

Hagel skates on Tampa Bay's top line and continues to be one of the Lightning's most trusted shooters in high-leverage minutes.

A Flyers defense still working through its early-season identity gives Hagel plenty of room to generate his usual volume of quality looks.

At 35.83 cents, a $100 buy works out to roughly 279 shares, with Polymarket's stated payout at $267.18.

  • If Hagel scores: profit of $267.18.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A near coin-flip number that still pays back nearly triple your money.

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Travis Konecny 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Travis Konecny 1+ Goals Yes | 23.23¢$408.70Trade it now on Polymarket!

Konecny remains Philadelphia's most dangerous individual scoring threat even while the team around him is still finding its rhythm.

Tampa Bay's road-tested defense presents a tougher matchup than most, which is exactly why this number sits as a true longshot relative to the rest of tonight's board.

At 23.23 cents, $100 buys roughly 431 shares, with a stated payout of $408.70.

  • If Konecny scores: profit of $408.70.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A longer shot than the rest of this matchup's picks, but the payout here is more than 4x your stake.

Senators vs Bruins Prediction

Ottawa sits at a perfect 1-0-0 to open the year, while Boston has looked sharp early at 2-1-0 with real scoring punch of its own.

David Pastrnak remains Boston's top offensive weapon regardless of opponent, and Tim Stutzle continues to anchor Ottawa's attack as the Senators try to build on an undefeated start.

🏒 Pick🏷️ Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It
OTT MoneylineYes | 53%$88.68Trade it on Polymarket!
BOS MoneylineYes | 48%$108.33Trade it on Polymarket!
OTT -1.5Yes | 30%$233.33Trade it on Polymarket!
Over 5.5Yes | 53%$88.68Trade it on Polymarket!

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – David Pastrnak 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
David Pastrnak 1+ Goals Yes | 38¢$252.28Trade it now on Polymarket!

Pastrnak is Boston's clear focal point on offense and one of the league's most consistent finishers regardless of matchup.

An Ottawa defense still building chemistry this early in the season gives Pastrnak every opportunity to keep producing at his usual rate.

At 38 cents, a $100 buy works out to roughly 263 shares, with a stated payout of $252.28.

  • If Pastrnak scores: profit of $252.28.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

It's priced close to a coin flip, but the payout still pays back more than double your stake in pure profit.

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Tim Stutzle 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Tim Stutzle 1+ Goals Yes | 30¢$208.42Trade it now on Polymarket!

Stutzle remains Ottawa's primary offensive engine, and an undefeated start has his line generating chances at a high rate early this season.

Boston has scored at a strong clip of its own, which should keep this one open and give Stutzle's line more looks the longer it stays close.

At a 30 cent price, $100 buys roughly 333 shares, with an estimated payout near $208.42.

  • If Stutzle scores: estimated profit of $208.42.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A near coin-flip number that still pays back well over double your stake.

Jets vs Penguins Prediction

Winnipeg sits at 1-0-1 early, while Pittsburgh has opened the season a perfect 2-0-0 behind two future Hall of Famers up front.

Kyle Connor gives the Jets a true top-line finisher, while Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin headline a Penguins group that's found the back of the net early and often.

🏒 Pick🏷️ Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It
PIT MoneylineYes | 63%$58.73Trade it on Polymarket!
WPG MoneylineYes | 38%$163.16Trade it on Polymarket!
PIT -1.5Yes | 40%$150.00Trade it on Polymarket!
Over 6.5Yes | 51%$96.08Trade it on Polymarket!

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Kyle Connor 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Kyle Connor 1+ Goals Yes | 37.19¢$257.65Trade it now on Polymarket!

Connor is Winnipeg's clear top-line finisher and one of the league's most reliable goal-scoring wingers year after year.

Pittsburgh's blue line is still a work in progress early this season, and that leaves real room for Connor to keep producing against a middling defensive unit.

At 37.19 cents, a $100 buy works out to roughly 269 shares, with a stated payout of $257.65.

  • If Connor scores: profit of $257.65.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A near coin-flip price that still pays back well over double your stake.

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Sidney Crosby 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Sidney Crosby 1+ Goals Yes | 36.13¢$265.01Trade it now on Polymarket!

Crosby remains a dangerous finisher even deep into his career, and Pittsburgh's perfect start has leaned heavily on his line generating quality looks each night.

Winnipeg's defense has been solid early, but Crosby's pedigree keeps this number close to a true coin flip regardless of opponent.

At 36.13 cents, $100 buys roughly 277 shares, with a stated payout of $265.01.

  • If Crosby scores: profit of $265.01.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

Another near coin-flip price that pays back well over double your stake.

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Evgeni Malkin 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Evgeni Malkin 1+ Goals Yes | 30.17¢$316.13Trade it now on Polymarket!

Malkin continues to provide a true secondary scoring punch behind Crosby, and Pittsburgh's perfect start has come with both veterans producing alongside each other.

Winnipeg's penalty kill will have its hands full tonight, and that gives Malkin extra pathways to the scoresheet on the man advantage alone.

At 30.17 cents, $100 buys roughly 332 shares, with a stated payout of $316.13.

  • If Malkin scores: profit of $316.13.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A true value price on this board, paying back more than 3x your stake.

Sharks vs Stars Prediction

San Jose has opened the year 2-0-0 behind its budding young star, while Dallas sits at 0-2-0 despite plenty of firepower of its own.

Macklin Celebrini has quickly become San Jose's most dangerous offensive weapon, and Mikko Rantanen remains one of the league's most dangerous finishers regardless of Dallas's slow start.

🏒 Pick🏷️ Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It
DAL MoneylineYes | 65%$53.85Trade it on Polymarket!
SJS MoneylineYes | 36%$177.78Trade it on Polymarket!
DAL -1.5Yes | 41%$143.90Trade it on Polymarket!
Over 6.5Yes | 49%$104.08Trade it on Polymarket!

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Macklin Celebrini 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Macklin Celebrini 1+ Goals Yes | 38¢$252.28Trade it now on Polymarket!

Celebrini has quickly become the engine of San Jose's offense, and a perfect start to the season has coincided directly with his emergence as a true first-line threat.

Dallas is still searching for its footing defensively, and that's exactly the kind of matchup that keeps a young star like Celebrini involved all night.

At 38 cents, a $100 buy works out to roughly 263 shares, with a stated payout of $252.28.

  • If Celebrini scores: profit of $252.28.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

It's priced close to a coin flip, but the payout still pays back more than double your stake in pure profit.

Best Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Today – Mikko Rantanen 1+ Goals

🏒 Goal Scorer Prediction🏷️ Position | Price🤑 Profit on $100📈 Trade It Now
Mikko Rantanen 1+ Goals Yes | 35.3¢$271.08Trade it now on Polymarket!

Rantanen remains one of the league's most dangerous finishers regardless of his team's slow 0-2-0 start to the year.

San Jose's early success hasn't come with a shutdown defensive reputation, and that leaves plenty of room for Rantanen to get going tonight.

At 35.3 cents, $100 buys roughly 283 shares, with a stated payout of $271.08.

  • If Rantanen scores: profit of $271.08.
  • If he doesn't: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A near coin-flip price that still pays back well over double your stake.

What's Moving the Market: NHL Predictions for Today

Prediction markets and prices can move for several reasons. Tonight's NHL best bets today board leans heavily on early-season roles, with established finishers like Kucherov, Pastrnak, Crosby, and Rantanen all pricing in the mid-30s to high-30s range on the anytime goal scorer market.

The widest gap on the board sits in Pittsburgh, where a perfect 2-0-0 start has both Crosby and Malkin pricing as near coin flips to score, a sign the market expects the Penguins' top-six to keep carrying the offense.

San Jose and Dallas stand out as the slate's one true mismatch in record, with Celebrini's early breakout keeping the Sharks competitive on paper even as Dallas opens the year 0-2-0.

These NHL predictions for today will keep shifting as morning skates and goalie news roll in closer to puck drop, so it's worth checking back on live pricing before any of tonight's games start.

How to Trade on Polymarket

Ready to get in on these NHL best bets today yourself? Here's exactly how to claim the bonus and start trading tonight's board:

  • Read a comprehensive Polymarket review to understand how this exchange operates.
  • Follow this guide to trading on Polymarket to learn how to buy your first "Yes" or "No" contract.
  • Monitor the relevant tab on Polymarket to stay ahead of the live order book movements.
  • When you're ready, sign up with Polymarket promo code ACTION to get started!

📝 POLYMARKET TERMS & CONDITIONS

18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.

Final Thoughts: Best NHL Player Props and NHL Predictions for Today

Four games, ten anytime goal scorer picks, and a handful of near coin-flip lines make tonight's board one of the more balanced slates of the early season.

Pittsburgh's perfect start and San Jose's surprising hot streak stand out as the two clearest storylines shaping the best NHL player props on this board.

That wraps our full NHL best bets today and every anytime goal scorer pick we'd make across tonight's four-game Polymarket board.

NHL Best Bets Today FAQs

What are tonight's best NHL best bets today picks?

Our top plays lean on Nikita Kucherov and David Pastrnak's goal scorer prices, Pittsburgh's perfect start behind Crosby and Malkin, and Macklin Celebrini's emergence in San Jose.

What are the best NHL player props for tonight's slate?

The best NHL player props tonight are built around the anytime goal scorer market, with Travis Konecny offering this board's deepest value and Evgeni Malkin not far behind.

What NHL games are being covered in tonight's predictions?

Tonight's slate covers Flyers vs Lightning, Senators vs Bruins, Jets vs Penguins, and Sharks vs Stars, all tipping off between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM ET.

How do I use the Polymarket promo code tonight?

Create an account, make a qualifying deposit, and enter the promo code to unlock a trading bonus before puck drop.

Who are the safest anytime goal scorer picks on tonight's board?

Nikita Kucherov, David Pastrnak, and Macklin Celebrini all sit at the top of tonight's board, each pricing near 38% to find the net.

What time do tonight's NHL best bets today games start?

Puck drop begins at 7:00 PM ET with Flyers vs Lightning, followed by Senators vs Bruins and Jets vs Penguins at 7:30 PM ET, and Sharks vs Stars closing the night at 8:00 PM ET.

Author Profile
About the Author

Zach Parkes is a Toronto-based casino enthusiast and an avid Toronto sports fan. As a Betting Expert, Analyst, and Editor for Better Collective, he provides expertise in sports betting and the rapidly growing North American online casino market.

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