Check out the NHL odds with our expert picks and predictions for the hockey slate on Thursday, October 17.
Tonight's lineup is lengthy. It features 11 matchups across the league, and our NHL best bets are focused on four games in particular.
Our hockey pros have examined the Thursday NHL odds board, and they're targeting the following four matchups:
- Golden Knights vs. Lightning (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
- Stars vs. Capitals (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
- Sabres vs. Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
- Islanders vs. Blues (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Below, check out the latest NHL odds and their best bets with the three moneyline picks and a player prop/anytime-goalscorer prediction for tonight.
NHL odds for matchups as of Thursday afternoon and via ESPN BET. Bet on the NHL with our ESPN BET promo code.
NHL Odds & Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our NHL betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Golden Knights vs. Lightning
By Nick Martin
The Lightning are off to a 2-0 start after 4-1 victories over the Hurricanes and Canucks. They've played to a 56.47% expected goal share in those two games, and they were deserving winners in both matchups.
We don't need to knock the Lightning's strong start to be interested in backing Vegas (+130) over Tampa Bay (-150) in this matchup.
Based on roster construction alone, I believe the Knights will still prove to be the superior of these two teams this season. They hold a rangey and mobile defensive core, which is a considerably deeper unit than the Lightning are offering at this time.
Jack Eichel never seems to get enough credit as one of the league's most impactful skaters, and he's centering one of the very best lines in the league alongside Ivan Barbashev and Mark Stone.
Due to their defensive upside, I'd argue Vegas' top-unit line can be as effective this season as Tampa's lethal top trio of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has made both starts so far, and he will likely rest in favor of backup Jonas Johansson in one of their upcoming matchups. The gap between the two is significant, and backing the Knights early here could also pay dividends if we luck into a surprise Johansson start.
The flip side of that note would be that it's best to wait if you disagree with my Knights pick here; Tampa will likely close around -110 if Johansson does start. At anything better than +105, I see value in backing the Knights to win this matchup, and I would play to -105 if Johansson starts.
Pick: Golden Knights (+115 at ESPN BET)
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Stars vs. Capitals
There's no secret to how the Washington Capitals want to play. Without any real game-breakers (save for Alex Ovechkin), the Caps know that they need to grind down teams and muck things up in order to give themselves the best chance to win. The Capitals are not going to overwhelm you, but they may be able to smother you.
That style of play may not be easy on the eye, but it got results for the Capitals, who rode their defensive acumen to a surprising playoff berth last spring.
Washington did add some offensive oomph to its lineup over the offseason, but so far it looks like Spencer Carbery's message to his team will remain the same: Keep it simple, keep it tidy.
That game plan has led Washington to a 1-1 record with decent underlying metrics through two contests.
It also gives Washington a high floor, and that makes the Caps (+135) a dangerous underdog, even against the undefeated Dallas Stars (-155).
And while the Stars deserve plenty of credit for their 4-0 start, the numbers do suggest they haven't been as dominant as their record implies, making this a decent buy-low spot.
The Caps will need to be on their game from the jump against the undefeated Stars, but Washington's ability to gum up the works should keep this one close, and that's all you're really asking for when you're a home underdog.
Pick: Capitals (+128 at BetRivers)
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Sabres vs. Blue Jackets
By Greg Liodice
We all saw how beautifully done the Columbus Blue Jackets’ tribute was to the late, great Johnny Gaudreau. There wasn’t a dry eye in Nationwide Arena during their opening night ceremony, and it was clear how much Johnny Hockey touched everyone’s lives – including his teammates.
I think the Blue Jackets will use this season as a dedication to Gaudreau. For years, the Blue Jackets have always been a franchise that had the goods, yet not enough to get over the edge.
They’re getting an impressive start to the season from Yegor Chinakhov, and Sean Monahan is picking up right where he left off. I also expect a bigger season out of Kent Johnson, and if you read my offseason piece on player props, you’ll know I’m a big fan of Kirill Marchenko.
Columbus may be 1-2 in the standings, but the team ranks high in the advanced stats. In three games, the Jackets are 10th in expected goals with a 51.81 xGF% and fifth defensively with a 2.68 xGA/60.
They’ll need more from their goaltending since both Elvis Merzlikins (who's now injured) and Daniil Tarasov have started out underwhelming. However, with the Buffalo Sabres (-140) coming into town, I think the defense will help prop up the netminders for Columbus (+120).
Buffalo isn’t very good, and the Sabres are even getting poor goaltending from their supposed No. 1 netminder in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. We may be seeing Devon Levi when it’s all said and done, but if coach Lindy Ruff sticks with Luukkonen, I think it’s a win for the Jackets at plus money.
Pick: Blue Jackets (+110 at ESPN BET)
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Islanders vs. Blues
By Greg Liodice
It’s a name that I believe more people should get accustomed to hearing: Maxim Tsyplakov.
The 26-year-old winger from Russia has found a home on Long Island, lined with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. He registered his first NHL goal on opening night in a loss to Utah.
Tsyplakov seems to be a welcome sight for the Islanders, who have been stuck in the depths of mediocrity for a few years. He brings in a lethal shot and plays with his head up, always looking to make a play.
Analytics love the Russian, though. He’s leading forwards in nearly every category, primarily in Corsi, On-Ice Expected Goals, and Scoring Chances.
I think Tsyplakov cracks 20 goals in his first NHL season. It’s a long season, and obviously the NHL is a much different beast than the KHL. But it doesn’t seem like the lights are too bright for him.
I also expect him to continue to get several power-play opportunities. For years, the Isles have been horrid with the man advantage. However, with Tsyplakov’s booming shot looming or a potential deflection where he successfully screens netminders, the potential to score is there.
Tonight as the Islanders (-140) take on the Blues (+120), oddsmakers have Tsyplakov as an anytime goalscorer set at +350, which offers value. Goalscorer bets are always difficult to predict, but I see a lot of potential for the Russian to find the back of the net.
Pick: Maxim Tsyplakov (+350 at FanDuel)
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