Thursday has 14 games scheduled, with seven beginning in the 7:00-7:30 p.m. ET slot, three starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, one getting underway at 9:00 p.m. ET and two puck drops at 10:00 p.m. ET. All game lines and odds used below come courtesy of the DraftKings Sportsbook.
SLATE PREVIEW
Detroit (vs. Montreal), Tampa Bay (vs. Ottawa), Nashville (vs. Columbus) and Colorado (vs. Utah) have the highest implied goal totals at 4.0. The Over/Under for the Rangers-Sabres, Canadiens-Red Wings, Senators-Lightning, Blue Jackets-Predators and Mammoth-Avalanche matchups is 6.5 goals, while the rest of the games anticipate 5.5 goals.
GOALIES
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. DAL ($7,600): Hellebuyck has a difficult matchup in Winnipeg's season opener, but he should be up for the challenge and could be a great value option for Thursday's busy slate. He went 3-1-0 against Dallas with one shutout, a 1.01 GAA and a .965 save percentage across four outings during the 2024-25 regular season.
Jacob Markstrom, NJD at CAR ($7,300): Markstrom was solid for the Devils last campaign, and he has performed well against Carolina during his career while winning nine of 15 outings and stopping 404 of 438 shots. During the 2024-25 regular season, he posted a 2-1-0 record with a 2.34 GAA and a .916 save percentage versus the Hurricanes. As a result, he has plenty of bang for the buck upside for Thursday.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Nikita Kucherov, TBL vs. OTT ($8,100): Kucherov has led the league in assists and points for the past two seasons. He had eight goals and six helpers over an eight-game point streak to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Kucherov has compiled 15 tallies and 53 points across 39 career contests against Ottawa, including two goals on 20 shots and three assists in four meetings last year.
Kirill Marchenko, CBJ at NSH ($6,700): Marchenko erupted offensively in the 2024-25 regular season, compiling 31 goals and 74 points over 79 appearances. He netted four markers on nine shots and added one assist in two games versus Nashville last campaign.
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. MTL ($6,500): Larkin has scored at least 30 goals in four straight seasons. He lit the lamp twice on five shots and picked up an assist during a three-game point streak to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Larkin racked up two goals, one assist and 15 shots on net in four contests against Montreal last year.
Martin Necas, COL vs. UTA ($6,500): Necas scored a pair of goals, including one on the power play, on three shots in Tuesday's season opener versus the Kings. He has been a great addition to the Avalanche since being acquired from Carolina. He also accounted for 11 goals and 28 points in 30 regular-season outings in the 2024-25 campaign.
Troy Terry, ANA at SEA ($5,300): Terry collected 21 goals and a team-leading 55 points across 77 regular-season outings in 2024-25. He has been productive against Seattle in the past, contributing seven goals, 15 points and 28 shots in 13 career outings. Terry also had three assists, four shots and one goal in three matches versus the Kraken last year.
Nikita Chibrikov, WPG vs. DAL ($5,000): Chibrikov has a chance to make an impact in a top-six role at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. In five NHL appearances over the last two regular seasons, he has supplied three goals, one assist and nine shots. He possesses considerable bang for the buck potential in Winnipeg's opener.
Brady Martin, NSH vs. CBJ ($3,800): Martin will make his NHL debut on Thursday as a member of Nashville's top line. He impressed during the preseason, amassing two goals and three points in four contests. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft could be a tremendous value play.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Bruins vs. Blackhawks
David Pastrnak (W - $8,400), Elias Lindholm (C - $5,300), Morgan Geekie (W - $5,300)
The top line of the Bruins combined for three goals, four assists and six shots in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Washington. Pastrnak earned one goal, three helpers and six shots in two games versus Chicago last campaign, while Geekie collected three tallies, one assist and seven shots during that span. Lindholm chipped in one assist and six shots on target in 2024-25 versus the Blackhawks.
Boston's first line should remain hot in the second half of the team's back-to-back. Pastrnak is a great option to build around, while Geekie and Lindholm bring plenty to the table as affordable complementary options.
Golden Knights at Sharks
Jack Eichel (C - $7,800), Mitch Marner (W - $6,900), Ivan Barbashev (W - $4,900)
The trio combined for two goals, six assists and 10 shots in Wednesday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Kings. Eichel has been superb against San Jose in his career, generating seven goals, 23 points and 73 shots over 23 games. He scored two goals on nine shots and added three helpers in three contests versus the Sharks in 2024-25. Marner has also feasted on the Sharks in the past, registering seven goals, 23 points and 31 shots across 16 outings. Barbashev hasn't been as prolific as his linemates, but he had one assist and three shots in his lone appearance against San Jose last campaign.
The top line of Vegas won't break the bank and possesses a great deal of upside versus what will probably be a poor defensive team again this year. The Sharks allowed the second-most shots per game (31.8) and the most goals per game (3.78) during the 2024-25 regular season.
DEFENSEMEN
Zach Werenski, CBJ at NSH ($7,400): Werenski had a career year offensively in 2024-25 while piling up 23 goals and 82 points over 81 regular-season games. He provided one goal, two helpers and eight shots in two contests against the Predators last campaign.
Owen Power, BUF vs. NYR ($3,000): Power will probably be available to return to action from a minor strain in Thursday's opener. He has one goal, seven points and 12 shots in nine previous clashes with the Rangers, including one tally, two helpers and five shots in three games last season.
