NHL Picks Today: NHL Predictions, Props and Best Bets for Friday, October 2

Friday’s Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Adam Fox to Record an Assist (+104)
• Bruins Moneyline (+104)
• Stars -1.5 (+134)

The 2026-27 NHL season is underway, and Friday brings us a five-game slate to dig into.

With teams playing their first few games of the campaign, last season's numbers still provide an important baseline, while offseason changes and early-season prices can create some interesting opportunities in the betting market.

Using the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, what are 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

Adam Fox to Record 1+ Assists (+104)

Rangers vs. Red Wings, 6:30 p.m. ET

Fox remained one of hockey's premier offensive defensemen last season, recording 44 assists and 53 points in only 55 games. That works out to 0.80 assists per game, and he logged 23:38 of ice time per contest.

His power-play role gives him another avenue to get on the scoresheet. Fox notched 24 power-play points in 2025-26 while the Detroit Red Wings‘ penalty kill finished at 77.1%.

The Red Wings allowed 3.10 goals per game last season, and while the New York Rangers' overall offense had its issues, New York still converted 24.7% of its power-play opportunities.

Fox’s heavy involvement in New York's offensive possessions makes this my favorite player prop of the day.

Bruins Moneyline (+104)

Bruins vs. Jets, 8 p.m. ET

Getting the Boston Bruins at plus money is an appealing way to attack this matchup.

The Bruins were clearly the stronger team over the full 2025-26 season. Boston went 45-27-10 and finished with 100 points while the Winnipeg Jets were 35-35-12 with 82 points. The Bruins also held meaningful advantages at both ends of the ice, averaging 3.27 goals per game compared to 2.79 for the Jets while allowing 3.01 goals per game to Winnipeg's 3.12.

That doesn't guarantee those same gaps will carry over into a new season, but Boston's established baseline makes the underdog designation interesting.

numberFire's current projection gives the Bruins a 54.4% chance to win. Boston is the side I want to be on.

Stars -1.5 (+134)

Blues vs. Stars, 9 p.m. ET

The gap between these teams was sizable last season.

The Dallas Stars went 50-20-12 with a plus-51 goal differential, scoring 3.33 goals per game and surrendering only 2.71. The Stars' 28.6% power play was also one of the league's biggest weapons.

The St. Louis Blues, meanwhile, finished 37-33-12 while scoring 2.80 goals per game and allowing 3.10. Their power play converted at just a 17.6% clip.

To the Blues' credit, their defense improved dramatically late last season. They allowed only 2.16 goals per game after the Olympic break, the best mark in the NHL over that stretch.

Still, Dallas' combination of scoring, special teams and defensive performance gives the Stars several paths to creating separation at home.

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.