Top NHL Pick: Nikita Kucherov Over 3.5 Shots (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
It’s the opening night of the 2023/24 NHL season, although we have an underwhelming game to kick things off between Nashville and Tampa Bay, things get a little juicer towards the end of the night when the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Seattle Kraken.
With that being said, let’s dig into our NHL computer predictions for the opening round of games.
Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 – 05:30 PM EDT at Amalie Arena
Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
This is not exactly a show-stopper of a game to kick things off but nonetheless, we have found a prop pick we like a lot in the form of Nikita Kucherov.
Tampa Bay’s Kucherov ended the previous two post-seasons and regular season as the Lightnings’ highest shot taker, averaging 3.6 shots per game. When facing tonight’s opponents Kucherov averaged 4 shots per game last season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will be eager to kick this season off with a win on home ice over an opponent who is considerably weaker than themselves.
The Pick
It’s the first game of the season, players are excited to be back, and we suspect Kucherov will be eager to get on the scoreboard and his shot total to go over 3.5 at -110 NHL odds with BetOnline.
Kucherov is the Lightnings’ go-to guy when it comes to getting shots on the net, he is the star of the team and we expect him to lead by example in this opening game, and take Kucherov to have his shooting gloves on in this matchup.
NHL Pick: Nikita Kucherov Over 3.5 Shots (-110) at BetOnline
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 – 08:00 PM EDT at PPG Paints Arena
Connor Bedard to Make Debut
Last season’s number one draft pick Connor Bedard is set to make his NHL debut in Pittsburgh for the Chicago Blackhawks, big things are expected of Bedard, and Blackhawk fans are hoping he will become their newest star player and future Stanley Cup winner, but first its back to reality.
Bedard has looked good in his pre-season so we wouldn’t be surprised to see him contribute to a goal or two but there’s a much better pick to be had in this game and that’s siding with the home team to cover the -1.5 spread at the best sportsbooks.
The Pick
Pittsburgh has massively improved this off-season bringing in players such as Erik Karlsson and Mikael Granlund along with others and we believe they should be strong enough and determined enough to cover the spread in this matchup.
The last thing Pittsburgh needs is a Chicago Blackhawks, Connor Bedard inspired victory. The Blackhawks are not a strong team outside of Bedard and maybe two or three others, whilst the Penguins have plenty of strong players, expect a strong Pittsburgh performance on opening night on home ice.
NHL Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5 (+115) at BetOnline
Seattle Kraken vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 – 10:30 PM EDT at T-Mobile Arena
Tight Matchup Expected in Sin City
The Stanley Cup champions play their first official game on home ice since they became champions, we expect a party atmosphere in Las Vegas during this opening game, and it makes it even more spicey as their opponents are the mini-me of themselves.
The Seattle Kraken and Golden Knights are both the newest franchises in the NHL, as the Golden Knights became champions for the first time last season, Seattle has been punching above their weight since the start of last season and hopes to improve yet again this year.
The Pick
When the Kraken traveled to the T-Mobile Arena to face the Golden Knights in the past, just one of four games went over 6.5 goals, and that was their very first meeting which ended with seven goals.
Both these teams are better known for their low-scoring games than high-scoring, and we believe the under 6.5 goals at -130 is amazing value. Yes, Las Vegas will be hoping to have a party and score lots of goals, but the Kraken have other ideas and will be looking to spoil the party.
Seattle knows they must keep games low scoring if they wish to compete as their not known for their ability to score a lot of goals, and we expect a strong performance from Seattle, either team to win this one 3-2.
NHL Pick: Under 6.5 at (-130) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*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.
Calculators
