NHL

Best Bets on the NHL: October 12th

Find The Best Bets, Picks, & Predictions on all the top NHL Action


Top NHL Bets

The NHL season is just getting started and already we’ve been treated to nonstop action as the best show on ice keeps on rolling. With several teams ready to make their season debut, this is a chance for each franchise to start their 2022-23 campaign off on the right foot.

Tonight there will be two matchups pitting Canadian teams against each other as well as four more games that are sure to be barnburners. The only way watching the action of the NHL could get any better is by throwing down a wager on any of these highly anticipated matchups. Placing NHL bets is easy and fun to do and below you’ll find our picks for the best bets on each of tonight’s contests.

Want to place a bet on the NHL but aren’t sure how to get started? Check out our top-ranked NHL betting sites and find the best sportsbook for you. Here at Canadian Sports Betting we have scoured the market for all of the top online sports betting sites and have compiled the best of the best into one place.

Be sure to read our comprehensive sportsbook reviews and discover what each of these oddsmakers has to offer on their unique and fun betting platforms.

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Moneyline Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (-275)

Arguably the most one-sided matchup of the day, the Carolina Hurricanes are a fantastic bet for all NHL bettors. Looking like legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, the Canes were one of the top teams a season ago and are looking to replicate and elevate their play from last year.

Going head-to-head with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Hurricanes should have a cakewalk in their home opener. Aside from a few lone standouts such as Patrick Laine and the newly acquired Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets possess a weak roster.

The Canes are the superior team at every level of the game, with a deeper roster, high-end top talent, and terrific team chemistry. No need to overthink this one, hammer the Hurricane’s moneyline against the Blue Jackets and start your NHL betting season off with an easy win.

Puckline Pick: Boston Bruins (+1.5/-205)

In what’s sure to be a back-and-forth contest, a clash between two longtime powerhouses in the NHL will take place at Capital One Arena when the Boston Bruins visit the Washington Capitals.

With superstars such as Alex Ovechkin, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and more all geared up and ready to chase after another Stanley Cup victory, these two squads will start their championship journeys with a tough matchup.

Both teams are evenly matched across the board and with the Bruins looking like viable underdogs, backing the B’s to cover a (+1.5) puckline is a great bet.

Getting one-goal insurance on this wager for the Bruins is a top bet to place on the day as even if the Bruins do fall to the Caps, it’s unlikely that they get the doors blown off them. Look for this tilt to go down to the wire, and back the Bruins to stay within 1.5 goals in their season opener against the Capitals.

Over/Under Pick: Canucks VS Oilers (Under 6.5/-115)

Last season the Edmonton Oilers were Over hitting machines, but look for their 2022-23 season to start off with a low-scoring game as they host the Vancouver Canucks.

Sporting top goal scorers on both teams including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Elias Pettersson, but with an improved defence on both sides, look for the expected goal total to fall far short of the over mark.

Both sides have solid goaltending with reliable netminder Thatcher Demko holding it down between the pipes for the Canucks, and journeyman Spencer Martin ready to put his all into securing the Oilers a season-opening victory.

Look for the game to still be fast-paced with plenty of highlights and dangerous scoring chances but don’t bank on seeing the lamp light up often at Rogers Place, bet the Under 6.5 total goals in the Canucks VS Oilers.

Best Player Prop Bets

The stars will be out tonight as the best of the best of the NHL will be ready to put their talent on display in their season openers. With the creme de la creme out in full force, bet on elite talent to produce and score you a big-time win on your NHL bet slip thanks to player prop bets.

NHL player props are one of the most profitable wagers a bettor can make in hockey. Whether it’s goal-scoring, shots on goal, expected saves, and everything in between, get the best player props available on tonight’s NHL slate at Canadian Sports Betting.

Auston Matthews Anytime Goal Scorer (-160)

Undoubtedly the best goal scorer in the entire NHL, Auston Matthews is looking to repeat his historic goal-scoring clip from last season, starting with finding the back of the net against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to take out their frustrations after yet another disappointing first-round exit in last year’s postseason on the down-and-out Canadiens and it’s no secret that Auston Matthews will be the focal point of the Leaf’s offence.

At 25 years old, Matthews is only getting better as he continues to rise the ranks of all-time goal-scoring greats. Look for him to put together another milestone season, starting with a goal against the Canadiens and their weak defence.

Cale Makar Over 0.5 Assists (-155)

One of the top talents on the planet, Cale Makar has dazzled hockey fans ever since making his debut in the NHL. With mesmerizing speed, puck control, and playmaking ability, Makar is a maestro when orchestrating the offence from the blue line.

Last season Makar was one of the top assist men in the league with 58 helpers in 77 games played in the regular season. Heading into a season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, look for a high-scoring battle to break out, with Makar right in the middle of all the action.

Bet the Over on Makar’s assist total against the Blackhawks as the Colorado Avalanche begin their quest to defend their Stanley Cup title.

CSB Best Same-Game Parlay

One of the most exciting and high-value wagers an NHL bettor can make, same-game parlays (SGP) are a fantastic betting method to utilize. Combining several wagers from a single game, you can create a juicy bet slip to help you win big on the NHL.

Find CSBs best same-game parlay on the Seattle Kraken VS Anaheim Ducks.

  • Seattle Kraken Moneyline
  • Under 5.5 Total Goals
  • Yanni Gourde Anytime Goal Scorer

Total Odds: (+1000)

Want more NHL betting news? Canadian Sports Betting is home to all the best bets for the NHL, plus follow our Stanley Cup betting odds and place a future wager on this year’s Cup Final or player award odds.


Matt Eichhorn

Matt Eichhorn

Having worked in the Sports Gambling industry since 2020, Eichhorn has expertise in all things sports betting. With experience covering various major North American sports leagues he has a wide array of knowledge to draw from when crafting his work.