NHL Picks Today: 3 NHL Best Bets, Predictions and Props for Friday, October 9

Friday’s Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Red Wings Moneyline (-140)
• Jets Moneyline (-118)
• Kyle Connor to Score a Goal (+120)

Friday brings us a compact four-game NHL slate, but there are still a few intriguing betting spots to dig into.

The action opens with three 7 p.m. ET games before the Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets close out the night at 8:00 p.m. ET. Winnipeg enters that matchup having allowed only 2.50 goals per game through four contests while Detroit's offense showed some life in its most recent outing with five goals against Ottawa.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

NHL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

NHL Predictions Today: Player Props, Best Bets

Red Wings Moneyline (-140)

Kraken vs. Red Wings, 7:10 p.m. ET

The Detroit Red Wings have stumbled to a 1-2-0 start, but their most recent performance offered a much better look at what this offense can be.

Detroit beat the Ottawa Senators, 5-3, on Tuesday with Dylan Larkin returning to the lineup. Larkin recorded a goal and an assist, Alex DeBrincat scored twice while adding an assist, and Lucas Raymond chipped in three helpers.

That gives Detroit considerably more firepower heading into tonight's matchup with the Seattle Kraken.

The Kraken are 2-2-0, and their goaltending hasn't been impenetrable. Joey Daccord owns a .902 save percentage through his early-season work while Philipp Grubauer is at .911. Detroit, meanwhile, generated 31.3 shots per game through its first three contests.

With Larkin back alongside DeBrincat and Raymond, I like Detroit's offensive ceiling at home.

Jets Moneyline (-118)

Ducks vs. Jets, 8:10 p.m. ET

This is my favorite bet on Friday's slate.

The Winnipeg Jets are 3-0-1 through four games and has been especially strong defensively, allowing 2.50 goals per contest. The Jets' goaltending has backed that up, as Stuart Skinner owns a .920 save percentage while Clay Stevenson is at .935.

The Anaheim Ducks have produced some exciting offense early in the year, but its defensive numbers give Winnipeg a favorable matchup.

Lukas Dostal has allowed 10 goals on 78 shots, resulting in an .872 save percentage and a 3.67 goals-against average. Anaheim as a whole has surrendered 3.33 goals per game.

That could be problematic against a Winnipeg attack led by Kyle Connor, who already has five goals and seven points through four games.

Considering Winnipeg is at home and has the clear early edge in net, the Jets’ ML is appealing.

Kyle Connor to Score a Goal (+120)

Ducks vs. Jets, 8:10 p.m. ET

Let's stick with Winnipeg for the player prop.

The aforementioned Connor has been scorching hot to begin 2026-27, scoring five goals across the Jets' first four games. He has also piled up 24 shots on goal, averaging 6.0 shots per game.

His role remains pretty much exactly what we want for a goal-scoring wager. Connor is skating on Winnipeg's top line alongside Mark Scheifele and Cole Perfetti while also working on the first power-play unit.

The matchup adds to the appeal. Anaheim's goaltending has produced an .875 team save percentage so far, and Dostal has already surrendered 10 goals in three appearances.

Connor's combination of shot volume, top-line deployment, power-play role, and current form makes him my favorite goal-scoring prop on Friday's slate.

NHL Betting -- Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Puck Line in NHL Betting?

The puck line is hockey's version of a point spread. The standard puck line is usually set at 1.5 goals, meaning a team listed at -1.5 must win by at least two goals for the bet to cash. A team at +1.5 can either win outright or lose by one goal.

What Does the Moneyline Mean in NHL Betting?

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game. Favorites have negative odds, while underdogs have positive odds. Unlike the puck line, the margin of victory does not matter.

What Are NHL Player Props?

NHL player props allow bettors to wager on an individual player's performance rather than the final result of the game. Common markets include goals, assists, points, shots on goal, and goalie saves.

What Should You Consider When Betting on NHL Games?

Several factors can influence NHL betting decisions, including starting goaltenders, injuries, recent team performance, special-teams play, expected line combinations, and whether a team is playing on consecutive nights. Because goalie confirmations can significantly impact a matchup, it can be useful to check the latest lineup news before placing a bet.

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Which NHL bets stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's NHL odds to see the full menu of options.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.