NHL Daily Betting Odds Rundown (Oct. 8): Two Marquee Canadian rivalry matchups for bettors to handicap
Night two of the 2025-26 NHL season features a strong four-game slate beginning at 7 p.m. ET, headlined by two Canadian rivalry matchups.
The Leafs will begin a new era Wednesday by playing their first game without Mitch Marner and will be opposed by an up-and-coming Canadiens side that will be eager to prove that last season was no fluke.
Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals will host the Boston Bruins, who will be desperate to get off to a strong start after a highly disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
Connor McDavid and the Oilers will look to continue their recent dominance over the Calgary Flames, and are heavy favorites on home ice.
The nightcap will feature Marner’s Golden Knights debut, as they face off against division rival Los Angeles, playing as the second-largest betting favorite of the evening.
Best Bet: Edmonton Oilers -1.5: +115 (bet365, Play to +105)
The Flames were one of last season’s largest overachievers, scraping out 96 points despite ranking 29th in goal per game average. Dustin Wolf had an incredible rookie campaign, and the team fared well in close games to rack up a solid record despite holding a goal differential of -13.
The Flames’ offensive play will likely remain similarly lethargic this season, which is a significant concern entering a matchup versus the high-powered Oilers. Nazem Kadri played to his ceiling to lead the team with 67 points last season but could take a step back this year at age 35. Jonathan Huberdeau finished second on the team with 62 points and will miss this matchup due to injury.
While the Flames’ offensive upside is a concern, they also may struggle to limit the Oilers to the type of chances that Wolf can handle in this matchup. The Oilers are expected to remain one of the league’s best offensive teams, and should control much of the play versus a thin Flames lineup.
Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
| Canadiens moneyline odds | +140 |
| Maple Leafs moneyline odds | -160 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-110), Under 6 (-110) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
- The Leafs own a 6-1-0 record over the Canadiens over the past three seasons and have averaged 3.4 goals per game in that span.
- Despite playing on the road in last year’s season-opening matchup, Toronto was a larger favorite (-190) than it is tonight, suggesting oddsmakers believe that the gap between the two rivals entering this season has narrowed.
- Offseason acquisition Matias Maccelli is expected to play on the top line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies in this matchup.
- Sam Montembeault will make a second straight season-opening start versus the Leafs. Montembeault made 48 saves in last year’s season opener and was named the game’s first star.
- Calder Trophy favorite Ivan Demidov is expected to play (hand), but appears likely to play further down the lineup than expected, as he skated on the third line during Monday’s practice.
- The Leafs were 27-13-1 on home ice last season, while the Canadiens struggled to a record of 17-19-5 on the road.
Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals
| Bruins moneyline odds | +155 |
| Capitals moneyline odds | -185 |
| Game total | Over 5.5 goals (-115), Under 5.5 (-105) |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
- The Capitals opened at -200 in this matchup but have moved to -185 at the time of writing, despite no noteworthy roster news coming in from either side.
- The Capitals are 4-1-1 versus the Bruins over the past two regular seasons.
- Alex Ovechkin needs three goals to become the first NHL skater to hit the 900-goal plateau. He’s priced at +8000 to record a hat-trick in tonight’s matchup.
- Charlie McAvoy will play in his first matchup since February 8th, and is expected to receive his typical usage on the top pair and top power-play unit.
- Washington owned a record of 26-9-6 on home ice last season, which powered the team to an Eastern Conference-leading 111 points.
- The Bruins went 13-25-3 on the road last season, and will hope to improve on that mark with McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm back in the lineup.
Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers
| Flames moneyline odds | +180 |
| Oilers moneyline odds | -220 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-115), Under 6 (-105) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
- The Battle of Alberta has been fairly one-sided over the past two seasons, as the Oilers have played to a record of 5-2 versus the Flames.
- Connor McDavid will take the ice for the first time since signing an extremely team-friendly two-year contract extension. McDavid is the betting favorite to win the Art Ross and Hart trophies. McDavid has racked up 36 points in his last 22 regular season games versus the Flames.
- Highly touted prospect Zayne Parekh is expected to be a healthy scratch in Wednesday’s matchup.
- Trent Frederic is expected to play on the Oilers’ top line alongside McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
- The Oilers went 25-13-3 on home ice last season, while the Flames held a record of 18-15-8 on the road.
Los Angeles Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights
| Kings moneyline odds | +175 |
| Golden Knights moneyline odds | -210 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-110), Under 6 (-110) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
- The Kings will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back after suffering a 4-1 loss versus the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday.
- Goaltender Anton Forsberg will likely make his Kings debut in this matchup. Forsberg held a +2.2 GSAx rating and .901 save percentage last season with the Ottawa Senators.
- Marner will make his Golden Knights debut and is expected to play on the top line and top power-play unit.
- The Golden Knights made the “fortress” a tough place to play once again last season, finishing with a record of 29-9-3.