NHL Picks Today: NHL Best Bets, Predictions and Props for Wednesday, October 7

Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Colorado Avalanche Moneyline (-178)
• Nathan MacKinnon 4+ Shots on Goal (-108)
• Edmonton Oilers Moneyline (-134)

Wednesday gives us a compact three-game NHL slate. The Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers are both road favorites while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals renew their Metropolitan Division rivalry.

Below are three bets I like for tonight, including one player prop.

For additional NHL insights, check out FanDuel Research's daily NHL player prop projections, which are powered by numberFire.

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

NHL Predictions Today: Player Props, Best Bets

Colorado Avalanche Moneyline (-178)

Avalanche vs. Jets, 7:40 p.m. ET

The Colorado Avalanche have opened the season 2-0-0, and their underlying play gives me plenty of reason to believe the hot start is legitimate.

Colorado has generated a 63.7% share of expected goals at five-on-five through its first two games while allowing just 2.26 expected goals per game in all situations. The Winnipeg Jets, meanwhile, have been on the opposite end of the spectrum with a 37.6% five-on-five expected-goal share.

The Avs' stars are already rolling, too. Nathan MacKinnon has two goals and five points, Martin Necas has two goals and four points, and Artturi Lehkonen has scored three times through two games.

That offense is facing a Winnipeg team that finished only 35-35-12 last season, while Colorado went 55-16-11. The Avalanche also controlled 56.7% of five-on-five shot attempts in 2025-26 compared to Winnipeg's 48.7%.

Nathan MacKinnon 4+ Shots on Goal (-108)

Avalanche vs. Jets, 7:40 p.m. ET

MacKinnon is my favorite player prop on Wednesday's slate.

Shot volume has certainly not been an issue to begin the year. MacKinnon fired eight shots on goal in Colorado's opener against Los Angeles before recording four more against St. Louis. That gives him 12 shots through two games, an average of 6.0 per night.

That's nothing new for MacKinnon. He produced 350 shots in 80 games last regular season, good for 4.38 per game, while scoring 53 goals and piling up 127 points.

The early matchup data is encouraging, as well. Winnipeg has allowed 32.5 shots per game through its first two contests, including 10.5 per game to centers. MacKinnon has already generated 15 unblocked shot attempts this season.

With MacKinnon serving as the focal point of an Avalanche offense that should spend plenty of time in the attacking zone, I like him to reach four shots for the third straight game.

Edmonton Oilers Moneyline (-134)

Oilers vs. Ducks, 10:10 p.m. ET

The Edmonton Oilers enter at 2-0-1 while the Anaheim Ducks are 2-0, so both teams have started well. Still, Edmonton has the kind of high-end offensive talent that is difficult to fade when the moneyline is sitting in this range.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to give Edmonton one of the league's most dangerous offensive foundations, and the Oilers enter tonight as only modest -134 favorites despite being one of the preseason Stanley Cup contenders. FanDuel’s Stanley Cup odds currently list Edmonton at +950 to win the Cup, the fourth-shortest odds on the board.

Anaheim's young roster is dangerous, but I prefer backing the Oilers to get the win.

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.