NHL Best Bets for October 8: Sam Reinhart to Start Strong on Home Ice
- Eric Kelly
- October 8, 2024
Top NHL Pick: Sam Reinhart Anytime Goalscorer (+145) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The betting sportsbooks have set their stalls out for tonight’s NHL opening-round games. With plenty of plus money available, we are going to make sure we avail of some whilst there’s still some value.
Our first picks see us looking for goals in the Seattle and St Louis matchup. Elsewhere, we are taking plus money on the Stanley Cup-winning goalscorer to get back on the board tonight on home ice. And finally, the Blackhawks travel to the newest team in the NHL, Utah, where we are looking at another plus-money bet.
St. Louis Blues vs. Seattle Kraken
Tuesday, October 08, 2024 – 04:30 PM ET at Climate Pledge Arena
Goals To Come in Seattle
We like the look of the total line set at 5.5 in this matchup as we believe both teams can potentially get 3+ goals each and hit the over for us. Although the over is juiced to -120 NHL betting odds, we are willing to lay the juice for this game.
Four of the previous six games between these two teams saw 6+ goals scored and with this being the opening game of the day, both teams should be up for this one. The Blues seem to be somewhat struggling to score lately but if they can at least get two here we see the potential for the Kraken to bang in four.
Team Trends
- The total has gone over in 5 of St. Louis’ last 7 games on the road.
- St. Louis is 7-2 in their last 9 games against Seattle.
- Seattle is 1-4 in their last 5 games.
- Seattle is 2-7 in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Central Division.
The Pick
We won’t get many 5.5 lines this opening week, so it’s worth taking the risk for this one as it has the potential to be a 7/8 goal game quite easily if things go our way.
Look to lay the juice at -120 on the total to go over, the maximum risk on the 5.5 over -130 odds.
NHL Pick: Blues/Kraken Over 5.5 Goals (-120) at BetOnline
Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers
Tuesday, October 08, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Amerant Bank Arena
Sam To Pick Up Where He Left Off
Last season was Sam Reinhart’s best to date. Not only did he become a Stanley Cup champion for the first time, but he also ended the regular season as the second-highest goalscorer, having scored 57 goals in 82 games. He still managed to find 10 goals in 24 playoff games as well as scoring the winning goal to secure the Panthers their first Stanley Cup.
Sam Reinhart Trends
- Reinhart scored 27 goals in 41 home games last season.
- Reinhart scored twice in four games against Boston last season.
- Sam scored the second most amount of goals in the 2023/24 regular season.
- Sam has scored 30+ goals every season since joining the Panthers in 2021.
The Pick
The Stanley Cup-winning goalscorer is one of the top marksmen in the league and he returns home tonight with his Stanley Cup-winning team. They will want to put on a show in front of their fans. We can’t argue with the odds here: Sam Reinhart is betable all the way down to +125 to score on home ice tonight.
He should look to start the season with a bang and given how strong he has become in front of the net, we are liking his chances of cashing us a +145 bet in this opening game. If you’re feeling really bold, top-rated sportsbooks have Reinhart to score first at +700 betting odds.
NHL Pick: Sam Reinhart Anytime Goalscorer (+145) at BetOnline
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Utah Hockey Club
Tuesday, October 08, 2024 – 10:00 PM ET at Delta Center
Bedard to Strong Start Again
Connor Bedard started his first season on fire, racking up 5/6/5/4 shots in his opening four games. We believe having had a long summer layoff and excited to be back playing hockey, Bedard should look for another strong start to this season. We are more than happy to believe that he can have 4+ shots in this game for some nice plus-money betting odds.
Connor Bedard Trends
- Connor Bedard ended his debut season as the Chicago Blackhawks top-shot taker.
- Bedard also ended last season as the Blackhawks’ top goalscorer and assister.
- Bedard averaged 3.2 shots per game last season.
The Pick
We like the +170 for Bedard to rack up some shots in the Blackhawks’ opening game of the season. Despite it being on the road, we are confident Bedard will look to get some shots on the net against the latest team to join the NHL.
NHL Pick: Connor Bedard Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+170) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.