NHL Player Prop Picks & Goal Scorer Predictions: Thursday, Oct. 8

Quinn Allen - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Quinn Allen • Betting Analyst 7+ years betting experience
Updated: Oct 8, 2026 , 08:22 AM ET • 4 min read

Cole Caufield continues his ascent as one of the NHL's premier goal-scorers as he once again torments the Predators.

Cole Caufield Montreal Canadiens NHL
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (13) steps onto the ice before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes

It's a 10-game slate in the National Hockey League tonight, and I've pinpointed my best NHL player props for all the action. 

Two Utah Mammoth stars highlight my picks, followed by one of the Montreal Canadiens' top finishers. 

Find out more in my NHL picks for Thursday, Oct. 8. 

Today's best NHL player prop picks

For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.

Pick Novig
Probability
Mammoth Clayton Keller Over 0.5 assists  50%
Mammoth Dylan Guenther Over 2.5 SOG  60%
Canadiens Cole Caufield anytime goal  44%

Percentages courtesy of Novig, one of the best prediction market apps.

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Prop pick #1: Clayton Keller Over 0.5 assists

Novig probability: 50%

Play up to 56%.

Clayton Keller is a huge reason the Utah Mammoth are off to a 3-1-0 start. He already has seven points, including six assists, and has recorded at least one helper in all four games.

Keller has three primary assists and three secondary assists while owning a 70% IPP, highlighting just how involved he’s been in Utah’s offensive production. He also skates on the top line alongside Nick Schmaltz, who is currently tied for second in goals.

Keller sees PP1 minutes alongside Dylan Guenther, giving him another avenue to create offense. With his current involvement and premium deployment, I like him to set up another goal tonight.

  • Matchup: Mammoth vs Bruins
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
  • TV: ESPN+

Prop pick #2: Dylan Guenther Over 2.5 shots on goal

Novig probability: 60%

Play up to 63%.

Guenther is thriving for the Mammoth, already notching three goals and three assists. His shot volume has been just as impressive, with Guenther averaging 4.25 shots on goal per game after putting 17 on net through four contests.

He’s cashed the Over in three of four games so far, and the Boston Bruins are allowing nearly five SOG per game to right wingers. Guenther also leads Utah with 23 unblocked shot attempts, further supporting the strong volume we’ve seen early.

Guenther is well positioned to clear this number again tonight.

  • Matchup: Mammoth vs Bruins
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
  • TV: ESPN+

Goal scorer pick: Cole Caufield

Novig probability: 44%

Play up to 50%. 

Cole Caufield is making his presence felt offensively early after his career-best 2025-26 season. The winger has already potted two goals in three games, and his track record against the Nashville Predators is impressive. Caufield has seven goals in 10 career meetings. The Preds are also 19th in goals conceded and rank 30th in SOG allowed.

Of course, skating on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Chris Kreider strengthens Caufield's chances of scoring, but his underlying numbers also stand out.

He has generated 13 individual shot attempts, 11 unblocked attempts, and seven individual scoring chances through three games, while producing 0.53 individual expected goals. Caufield is getting plenty of looks, and this is a favorable matchup for his shooting volume to turn into another goal.

  • Matchup: Predators vs Canadiens
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
  • TV: ESPN+
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Prop picks: 5-4, +3.58
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Quinn Allen - Covers
Betting Analyst

Quinn Allen is an experienced sports journalist from Vancouver, Canada who fell in love with sports by the time he could walk. He proceeded to play high-level baseball and soccer growing up and eventually played college baseball in the United States.

After his career ended, Quinn received his broadcast journalism degree from BCIT and has since written for many sports publications including ClutchPoints, Gino Hard, and RG, where he plies his trade as a writer and editor.

Quinn's favorite team is Chelsea FC and he'd like to watch a match at Stamford Bridge one day. He loves to bet on NBA player props and encourages others to bet responsibly and not chase losses.

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