We are so excited that the NHL is back, and there are more games on today for us fans to sink our teeth into. There are again more teams taking the ice, as some teams look to open their accounts, while others are back for their second game of the season.
What will today’s games bring? Who will be able to get a win on the board and start their season off the right way? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain, we are in for a fantastic day! So gear up, sit back, relax and watch. And if you like to have a bet, then you have certainly come to the right place.
Look below to find our free NHL picks, as we hand pick and preview the best five games on today’s schedule!
New York Islanders @ Carolina Hurricanes – 7.00PM EDT
The third day of the new NHL season is here, and both the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes look to get their season off to a flyer. The Islanders finished last season with a record of 32-17-7, and the Hurricanes finished last season with a record of 36-12-8.
Tony Battalio
Both teams are set to kick off their seasons today with high expectations. It is never easy to predict how games will go during the opening week of a sports season. This should be a highly competitive game between two solid teams. They finished with near identical records last year. However, I have to give the edge betting to the Islanders in this one.
Tony’s NHL Pick: New York Islanders +1.5 (-260)
“We’ve been apart for a couple months and this group really likes being together. So the harder it is, the easier you come together.”
The #Isles are ready for 13 games on the road before opening up @UBSArena.
Be there and be loud when we come home: https://t.co/pmXI7obwN4 pic.twitter.com/WFbpVrHJ2f
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 14, 2021
Michael Lantz
The New York Islanders have finished the last two seasons just short of the Stanley Cup Finals. They’ve taken the eventual champions the Tampa Bay Lightning to the brink both times, but haven’t quite been able to make it over the final hurdle. They hope this year proves different, as they’ve been a popular pick to hoist the trophy for a fifth time in franchise history. They start the season against an opponent that’s acted as another kryptonite. The Carolina Hurricanes have won eight straight against the Isles and look to keep that streak going as a team with deep playoff aspirations of their own. I want to say New York is due, but the ‘Canes look as good as ever, so let’s make it nine straight.
Michael’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (-126)
Arizona Coyotes @ Columbus Blue Jackets – 7.00PM EDT
The Arizona Coyotes kick off their 2021-22 campaign with a game on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Coyotes finished last season with a record of 24-26-6, and the Blue Jackets finished last season with a record of 18-26-12.
Tony Battalio
Both teams will be coming into this game looking to improve on disappointing seasons last year. The Columbus Blue Jackets were one of the NHLs worst teams last season and I don’t foresee much improvement right out of the gate. However Arizona will not be much better, this game could be a disaster for fans and bettors alike. Since the game is in Columbus, I’m going to give the edge to the Blue Jackets.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets (-158)
Michael Lantz
In a matchup between two of the league’s “least likely to succeed” in 2021-22, neither the Coyotes or Blue Jackets have high hopes for the postseason. That being said, Columbus does have some entertainment up front (Patrik Laine, Max Domi, and newly acquired Jakub Voracek) that should make them at least intriguing to watch. But all three have been acquired within the last 12 months and may still need time easing into their respective roles. Arizona meanwhile has an offense mixed with young upstarts and veterans who could be nearing their final days on the ice. I think in due time the ‘yotes will be a lot of fun, but for tomorrow I envision Columbus to win — in an “under” affair.
Michael’s NHL Pick: Under 5.5 (-106)
Dallas Stars @ New York Rangers – 7.00PM EDT
Another game at 7pm EDT, but this is one of great interest as the Dallas Stars kick off their campaign, while the New York Rangers already played their first game on Wednesday night and are going back to back. The Stars finished last season with a record of 23-19-14, and the Rangers ended up losing their first game to the Capitals 1-5.
Tony Battalio
Following an absolute thrashing on a night where Alexander Ovechkin continued to establish himself as an elite scorer, the Rangers are looking for answers. Dallas makes their season debut in this one. Being the fresher team Dallas should have the upper hand but never count out the Rangers. However, because of the back-to-back, I am taking Dallas in this one.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Dallas Stars (+106)
A message from your Captain:@JamieBenn14 | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/aE3W4Nqans
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 14, 2021
Michael Lantz
The Rangers embarrassed my pick yesterday and put up an absolute stinker in their first game against the Washington Capitals—losing 5-1. Tonight, they face a Dallas Stars team that’s looking to get back to the form they were in when they made the Stanley Cup Finals in 2020. Having star forward Tyler Seguin (who only played three games last year due to injury) back will be a tremendous help in getting them there. But despite the Rangers’ first game mishap, they’ll be back in front of a full-capacity MSG crowd—which should help rile them up. So I’m gonna go with the Rangers in a close one.
Michael’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (-124)
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Detroit Red Wings – 7.30PM EDT
After losing their first game of the season to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Tampa Bay Lightning are on the road for their second game of the season, and will be looking to correct the errors of their ways in the first game. The Detroit Red Wings face the reigning Stanley Cup champs in their opening game of the season. Last season the Red Wings managed a record of 19-27-10.
Tony Battalio
After a shocking opening night loss to a depleted Penguins team, Tampa will be looking to rebound. The Detroit Red Wings are the unfortunate victims of this situation. After such a surprising performance on their opening night, they should bounce back to form immediately for this one. I am taking Tampa Bay with the spread for this one, I expect a clean sheet from Vasilevskiy as well so my bonus pick is the under.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (-110)
Tony’s Bonus Pick: Under 6 (-120)
Michael Lantz
The two-time deafening Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning should have absolutely no issues against a lowly Detroit Red Wings squad. Then again, they got bullied by a completely depleted Pittsburgh Penguins squad the other night…so I suppose anything is possible. Still, I just don’t foresee the powerhouse Lightning losing against two poor opponents in a row.
Michael’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-260)
Vegas Golden Knights @ Los Angeles Kings – 10.30PM EDT
Excellent viewing for the final game of day three in the new NHL season. We have the Vegas Golden Knights, who already have one win to their name, thanks to a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken, and the Los Angeles Kings who step on the ice for their first game of the regular season. The Kings finished last season with a record of 21-28-7.
Tony Battalio
Vegas should have enjoyed what was essentially a lay-up victory, facing the Seattle Kraken in their first ever NHL game. However, that victory did not come easy for the Golden Knights at all. After racing out to an early 3-0 lead, Seattle battled back to tie it at 3 midway through the 3rd period before Vegas won it late. Now heading into game 2 of the season they face a Kings team who were relatively mediocre last year. I expect a much cleaner performance from Vegas but my pick for this one is the over.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Over 6 (-104)
LA Kings Thread Schedule… LA Kings Threadule, if you will.
💻 https://t.co/i8QVfUYDwi | @adidashockey pic.twitter.com/uICjP2e70Z
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 14, 2021
Michael Lantz
For a period and a half on Tuesday night, the Vegas Golden Knights looked like the Stanley Cup contenders many expect them to be, as they took control in their match-up against the Seattle Kraken. Then, the expansion Kraken came roaring back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game before Vegas scored (or kicked) a game-winner in the third. Vegas will have to be better about not letting their guard down and getting too burnt out with all that speed they have up front. Luckily they get to play an opponent in the Los Angeles Kings that is quite inferior, yet still on the rise in the division. It’ll be an opportunity for Vegas to tighten things up, but still feel the competitive pressure. I think they take advantage and win by at least two.
Michael’s NHL Pick: Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+146)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
