NHL Betting Tips - Opening Night Predictions and Best Bets
The NHL is back, and we're starting the new season with three games featuring several of the leading Stanley Cup contenders.
Florida Panthers head to Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche host the LA Kings and Minnesota Wild face Nashville Predators later in the week.
We're backing Florida, Colorado and Minnesota across those three matchups, while also looking at where the early value could be found in the Stanley Cup futures market.
- Florida have won four of their last five visits to Carolina.
- Colorado have won nine of their last 10 meetings with the LA Kings.
- Minnesota have won five of their last eight against Nashville.
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Betting Tips
Best Bet - Florida Panthers to win
Florida enter the new NHL season with significant changes to a roster that missed the playoffs last year, including the addition of Brady Tkachuk and goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
We're expecting Florida to bounce back and once again establish themselves among the stronger teams in the league.
Opening night provides an immediate test away to the Carolina Hurricanes, but the Panthers have enjoyed this matchup in Raleigh, winning four of their last five visits.
Carolina will have plenty of motivation on banner night, but we're backing Florida to spoil the occasion and win on the road.
Colorado Avalanche vs LA Kings Betting Tips
Best Bet - Colorado Avalanche to win
Colorado are another team expected to be in the Stanley Cup conversation, and their recent record against the LA Kings makes them difficult to oppose here.
The Avalanche have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the teams, with several of those victories coming by comfortable margins.
Los Angeles also enter the new season following significant changes to their leadership, including a new head coach and the retirement of long-time captain Anze Kopitar.
Those changes could ultimately provide a fresh start for the Kings, but there are enough unknowns entering the opening game for us to side with the more settled team.
Colorado to win is our pick.
Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators Betting Tips
Best Bet - Minnesota Wild -1.5 Puckline
We're also siding with Minnesota when the Wild visit the Nashville Predators.
Minnesota won five of the last eight meetings between the teams and finished last season with one of the stronger records in the Western Conference.
Nashville, meanwhile, have gone through another offseason of significant roster changes as they continue trying to find the right combination.
That turnover could take time to settle, particularly after Nashville also struggled to find early consistency following previous roster changes.
We're backing Minnesota to win.
NHL Stanley Cup Futures
The start of a new season also means another look at the Stanley Cup market.
Florida, Colorado and defending champions Carolina are among the prominent names at the top of the market, but there could be better value further down the board.
Dallas Stars are one team that caught our attention at around 17/1. They've been close in recent seasons without quite putting everything together when it mattered.
However, this is one market where patience could pay off. Waiting for the first few weeks of the season provides an opportunity to assess new signings, chemistry and early performance before committing to a bigger-priced futures selection.
Edmonton are another fascinating team to monitor. Expectations remain extremely high, but another season without a championship could create significant pressure around the organisation.
Our NHL Best Bets
- Florida Panthers to beat Carolina Hurricanes
- Colorado Avalanche to beat LA Kings
- Minnesota Wild to beat Nashville Predators
- Dallas Stars - Stanley Cup futures team to watch
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