NHL Best Bets Today, 10/10: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday
Thursdays are normally bigger NHL slates and that's exactly what we have tonight with nine games across the league.
Surprisingly, there are a few teams on the second night of a back-to-back, which is a bit interesting to see on just the third day of the season. It should give us a few backup goalies in action, so let's jump into today's NHL Best Bets!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/10
After a solid 2-0 start with the nets for Tuesday's NHL best bets article, we look to keep things rolling tonight, as a new set of teams are starting their 2024 seasons.
As the season continues to get going, we'll key in on different patterns for teams and establish a good sense of who/what we should be targeting on a night-to-night basis for our NHL Best Bets.
Kings vs. Sabres Prediction: Thursday, October 10th
After a tough 0-2 start to the season against the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia, the Buffalo Sabres have their home opener tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. Hopefully, those first few games have them in the flow of things on offense, which gives them a leg up against the Kings.
I don't want to look for a goal scorer here, as I think the Sabres should try to keep things as simple as possible and look to generate some offensive chances, after scoring only two goals in two games against the Devils.
This brings me to Rasmus Dahlin, the newly named captain of the Buffalo Sabres. Besides patrolling the blue line, Dahlin also sees time on the Sabres' first power-play unit, which is always an added advantage to pile up some shots.
Last season, Dahlin averaged 2.9 shots per game and was second on the team with 235 total shots, both marks he can replicate this season.
- Expert Kings vs. Sabres Picks:
- Rasmus Dahlin Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+100 on FanDuel)
Penguins vs. Red Wings Prediction: Thursday, October 10th
The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off an embarrassing 6-0 loss to the New York Rangers last night, but the silver lining is they can right back on the ice and get things going in the right direction.
The Detroit Red Wings starting their season at home against a team on the second night of a back-to-back is about as good as you can get in the NHL. There are high hopes for the Red Wings and the “Yzerplan” this season, as they've locked up their core with some long-term deals.
One such player with a new contract is Lucas Raymond, who recently signed an eight-year deal. The 22-year-old is coming off a career season with 31 goals and 72 total points in 82 games, a level of scoring he should be able to meet and exceed this season.
Playing alongside Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat is a power line for the Red Wings and a source of production on a nightly basis. This should give us a high level of consistency and a wonderful spot to look for player props in today's NHL predictions.
As we circle back to the Penguins, who allowed 70 Total Shot Attempts to the Rangers last night, their defense could have another rough outing against a young and hungry top line from the Red Wings.
- Expert Penguins vs. Red Wings Picks:
- Lucas Raymond Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+102 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/10
- David Pastrnak 2+ Points (+144 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Anthony Duclair Goal (+250 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.