There are 13 games on the schedule today in this young NHL season, and I've identified my best NHL moneyline picks for each contest.
Read it all in my NHL picks for Saturday, Oct. 3.
NHL moneyline picks: Oct. 3
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
| Matchup |  Probability |
|---|---|
 Blackhawks vs  Sabres |
68% |
 Canadiens vs  Penguins |
47% |
 Capitals vs  Lightning |
60% |
 Senators vs  Maple Leafs |
53% |
 Hurricanes vs  Flyers |
56% |
 Mammoth vs  Blue Jackets |
51% |
 Kraken vs  Oilers |
65% |
 Devils vs  Islanders |
55% |
 Bruins vs  Wild |
65% |
 Stars vs  Predators |
56% |
 Blues vs  Avalanche |
72% |
 Flames vs  Canucks |
52% |
 Kings vs  Sharks |
53% |
Percentages courtesy of Novig, one of the best prediction market apps.
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Expert NHL moneyline picks: Oct. 3
Blackhawks vs Sabres pick: Sabres
The Blackhawks have looked horrendous so far through two games, getting outscored 11-2. They were just blanked 6-0 by the Mammoth on Thursday, and Connor Bedard remains out.
Spencer Knight is getting lit up in net, and while the Sabres did lose their opener to the Blue Jackets, we cannot ignore their playoff success last season. Buffalo should cruise to a home win against the struggling Hawks.
Canadiens vs Penguins pick: Penguins
The Penguins dominated a rival in their series opener, smacking the Flyers 7-0. Even without Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh looks very solid offensively early on, and this will be their home opener.
While the Canadiens are never an easy team to face, they barely got past the Maple Leafs in their first contest, and the Pens will definitely be confident here after a great performance. At plus money, I like Pittsburgh.
Capitals vs Lightning pick: Lightning
Tampa Bay has the situational edge tonight. The Capitals are heading into the second game of a back-to-back, while the Bolts have an extra day's rest and a home opener.
Yes, Washington did just beat the defending champion Hurricanes, but the Lightning are never an easy team to face on home ice, and Tampa won two of three against the Capitals in the 2025-26 season.
Senators vs Maple Leafs pick: Maple Leafs
The Battle of Ontario always carries a different level of weight, even this early. But the revamped Maple Leafs have the edge. The Senators are still adjusting to life without Brady Tkachuk, and I expect them to struggle in the season opener.
Toronto gave the Habs a real run for their money in the season opener, then responded with a home win against the Islanders. The Leafs will keep it rolling.
Hurricanes vs Flyers pick: Hurricanes
The Stanley Cup champions may be without a win, but I doubt there's any panic, and Carolina shouldn't be too worried ahead of this matchup. The Flyers gave up seven to Pittsburgh earlier this week, and it's only a matter of time until the Hurricanes wake up offensively.
Against a Philly team that struggled immensely at home vs. the Pens, tonight could be the night Carolina finds its best.
Mammoth vs Blue Jackets pick: Mammoth
Both teams looked impressive in their season openers, but I'm giving Utah a slight edge. Their roster is extremely deep, and we saw that against Chicago, with a whopping 14 players finishing with at least one point.
The Mammoth have also won two of the last three meetings.
Kraken vs Oilers pick: Oilers
Seattle looked excellent in its opener, rolling past Calgary 6-1, but Edmonton’s offensive ceiling is difficult to ignore at home.
Connor McDavid is coming off a five-point performance in a wild 9-7 win over Vancouver, and the Oilers took three of four meetings from Seattle last season. I’ll back Edmonton to carry that momentum into this matchup.
Devils vs Islanders pick: Devils
New Jersey opened the season with an overtime win and has the deeper offensive ceiling, so I’ll side with the Devils despite a difficult matchup.
The Islanders swept last season’s series and Ilya Sorokin dominated New Jersey. But I prefer the Devils’ overall talent and scoring upside.
Bruins vs Wild pick: Wild
Minnesota is in a favorable situational spot against a Boston team playing the second half of a back-to-back after Friday’s overtime win in Winnipeg.
The Wild looked sharp in their opener, beating Nashville 3-1 while controlling the game defensively. With home-ice advantage, fresher legs, and the stronger overall roster, Minnesota is the better pick.
Stars vs Predators pick: Stars
Dallas was shut out 4-0 by St. Louis in its opener, but I’m not ready to overreact to one poor performance from a team that reached three straight Western Conference Finals before last season’s first-round exit
Nashville also dropped its first game, losing 3-1 to Minnesota. The Stars should be able to generate more offense this time around, and I’ll back them to respond with a road win.
Blues vs Avalanche pick: Avalanche
St. Louis was impressive in a 4-0 shutout of Dallas, but this is a difficult turnaround. The Blues are in the second half of a back-to-back and now travel to Denver to face Colorado, one of the best and deepest teams in the league.
With the Avalanche owning home ice and St. Louis simply not at Colorado's level, the pick is clear here.
Flames vs Canucks pick: Canucks
Calgary’s opener couldn’t have gone much worse, as the Flames were blown out 6-1 by Seattle and struggled to create any offense. Vancouver’s defense was a mess in a 9-7 loss to Edmonton, but scoring seven times showed its offensive ceiling.
The Canucks should respond with a home-ice win.
Kings vs Sharks pick: Sharks
San Jose made an immediate statement by beating Florida 4-3 in overtime, with Will Smith scoring twice and Macklin Celebrini recording three assists.
The Sharks’ young core already looks dangerous, and they get another home game against a Los Angeles team making its season debut. San Jose is the cleaner look.
Today's NHL moneyline combo
Hurricanes moneyline
Avalanche moneyline
Sharks moneyline
This combo puts together wins for Colorado, Carolina, and San Jose. The Avs are dominant at home, and they shouldn't have any trouble humbling a Blues team that won their opener.
It's only a matter of time before the Hurricanes figure it out, and this matchup offers a chance to find their offensive touch after Philly allowed seven goals. I'm also high on the young, talented Sharks, who I expect to shine again against the Kings.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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