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This is Daily Dangles, a column featuring our top expert’s NHL picks, predictions, and best bets.
Every day, one of our experts will provide you with some of the sharpest, high-value betting analysis on what the NHL schedule offers us.
For Friday, October 2, Greg Liodice has us covered.
NHL Predictions Tonight
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- Capitals vs Hurricanes — Under 6.5 (-132, FanDuel)
- Bruins Moneyline (+100, FanDuel)
- Blues vs Stars — Wait for Starting Goaltender (Polymarket)
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Capitals vs Hurricanes Pick
What a crazy way to open the season for the defending champs.
It’s always nice to raise the Stanley Cup banner and celebrate the previous season, but with the Florida Panthers in town, it’s never going to be easy.
That’s why Carolina neglected to score a single goal on Florida. The only goal came from Gustav Forsling with 4.3 seconds left in overtime, sending the Hurricanes faithful home unhappy.
Carolina played exceptionally well though; it just ran into tough goaltending. This time it won’t be easy either, as Logan Thompson is likely to suit up for the Capitals.
Thompson has been one of the more consistent netminders throughout the NHL ever since he became a regular. The problem is that he’s needed to do a little too much work.
Last season, the Capitals were the seventh-worst team in expected goals against, and gave up the eighth-most high-danger chances.
Caps coach Spencer Carbery is one of the better young coaches in the league, so I wouldn’t put it past him to make some adjustments over the offseason.
I’m targeting the under here because of Thompson’s ability to take over games, and Hurricanes’ goalie Brandon Bussi was a stonewall on Opening Night. This seems like a night for the goalies.
Pick: Under 6.5
Bruins vs Jets Pick
As someone who’s always had a soft spot for the Winnipeg Jets, it’s unfortunate to see the situation that they’re in.
Former Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck wants a divorce from the team, even with five years left on his contract. It’s one of, if not, the biggest loss for any team in the NHL.
So because of that, Stuart Skinner comes in, a player who I have a toxic relationship with. At times, he can be so good. At times, he can look like the worst goaltender in the league. There’s no in between here.
Aside from Skinner, the Jets are a fine team. I think they try to clutch onto players a little too long, but I think for a team like Winnipeg, it kind of has to. However, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor are two of the best players in the game.
The Boston Bruins head into town and there will be a lot of motivation for the B’s to have a better season. We’ve already seen it, when they opened up their season with a 3-0 blowout to the Rangers.
They made a significant addition to their roster, adding high-end goal scorer JJ Peterka, and I can’t stress enough how good of a pickup that was. Pair him with David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, and you have a deadly scoring trio.
Tonight in the ‘Peg, I like the Bruins to win outright here.
For this, I’m banking on Skinner to have a rough game out of the gate, which isn’t out of the question. After the game against the Rangers, I’m incredibly bullish on the B’s, and I see them taking advantage of an already-vulnerable Jets’ squad.
Pick: Bruins Moneyline
Blues vs Stars Pick
As of right now, there’s no confirmed starting netminder for the St. Louis Blues – and that’s important.
If coach Jim Montgomery knew what was good for him, he’d probably start goaltender Joel Hofer. Because Jordan Binnington has been a total sieve for the past two seasons.
And if Hofer starts, he gives the Blues the best chance to win.
But the problem is, he’s facing the Dallas Stars, a perennial Stanley Cup contender.
The Stars are coming into this season mostly healthy, with the one exception being Matt Duchene, who is on long-term injured reserve. But even without Duchene, I see no reason why the Stars can’t make a big run here.
They’re one of the most well-rounded teams in the league, and have the goaltending to back it up. Our very own Nick Martin projected that Stars goalie Jake Oettinger is a Vezina Trophy favorite right before the season had begun.
I think St. Louis has a decent roster, and I like the younger players on the roster, but it’s not fully there yet. And when it’s playing against a team like the Stars, it’s hard to find a reason to back it.
But for tonight, keep an eye on who starts for the Blues, which is why I think trading on Polymarket is the way to go. For now, I’m holding off until they announce the starter.
If Hofer starts, I see a lot of value on under 5.5 goals. If it’s Binnington, then hammer the Stars puck line.
Pick: TBD on Blues' Goaltender:
- Under 5.5 — If Hofer Starts
- Stars -1.5 — If Binnington Starts
