With the start of the 2017-18 National Hockey League regular season just about 24 hours from getting underway, hockey enthusiasts everywhere need to know which one of the top NHL betting games look like the most attractive pairing on the docket for the much-anticipated Week 1.
Thanks to our updated NHL betting odds and some fun-filled analysis, you’re about to find out just that! After getting underway on Wednesday night, Oct. 4, the 1,271-game regular-season schedule will conclude Saturday, April 7, 2018.
The NHL’s 31st franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, will play their first regular-season game on Friday, Oct. 6 against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center while playing their first home game on Tuesday, Oct. 10 when they host the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile Arena.
Top NHL Betting Games in Opening Week
A new team, tons of youth and a quest for three.
There are plenty of story lines to keep you occupied this year. https://t.co/eH0ABgTidb — NHL (@NHL) 3 de octubre de 2017
2017-18 STANLEY CUP ODDS TO WIN
Wednesday, October 4
St. Louis at Pittsburgh at 8:00 PM ET
The reigning two-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (50-21-6-5) will face the St. Louis Blues (46-29-5-2) as the NHL Betting favorites at PPG Paints Arena on opening night. The Blues made the playoffs a year ago as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, so this one should be a thriller.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: St. Louis Blues 28.3 / Pittsburgh Penguins 32.36
- Average Score For: St. Louis Blues 2.76 / Pittsburgh Penguins 3.36
- Defensive Shots: St. Louis Blues 28.65 / Pittsburgh Penguins 32.37
- Average Score Against: St. Louis Blues 2.59 / Pittsburgh Penguins 2.72
Thursday, October 5
Washington at Ottawa at 7:30 PM ET
The Caps (55-19-3-5) may have underachieved despite being the best team in all hockey during the regular season a year ago, but their regular season opener against an Ottawa (44-28-6-4) team that was the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs looks like an exciting NHL Betting option for all hockey enthusiasts.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: Washington Capitals 30.89 / Ottawa Senators 30.07
- Average Score For: Washington Capitals 3.15 / Ottawa Senators 2.56
- Defensive Shots: Washington Capitals 27.97 / Ottawa Senators 30.58
- Average Score Against: Washington Capitals 2.29 / Ottawa Senators 2.61
Pittsburgh at Chicago at 8:30 PM ET
The defending champs hit the road to take on a Chicago Blackhawks (50-23-8-1) team that was the No. 1 seed in last year’s Western Conference playoffs – although they got bounced out in stunning fashion in the first round.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: Pittsburgh Penguins 32.36 / Chicago Blackhawks 30.63
- Average Score For: Pittsburgh Penguins 3.36 / Chicago Blackhawks 2.87
- Defensive Shots: Pittsburgh Penguins 32.37 / Chicago Blackhawks 31.37
- Average Score Against: Pittsburgh Penguins 2.72 / Chicago Blackhawks 2.63
Saturday, October 7
NY Rangers at Toronto at 7:00 PM ET
The Rangers (48-28-2-4) made the playoffs as the No. 7 seed a year ago while Toronto (40-27-7-8) got in as the No. 8 seed. These two Eastern Conference rivals should stage a tight battle.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: NY Rangers 30.15 / Toronto Maple Leafs 32.15
- Average Score For: NY Rangers 3.09 / Toronto Maple Leafs 3.03
- Defensive Shots: NY Rangers 30.45 / Toronto Maple Leafs 32.75
- Average Score Against: NY Rangers 2.66 / Toronto Maple Leafs 2.95
Montreal at Washington at 7:00 PM ET
Last year’s top-seeded Caps will host the second-seeded Montreal Canadiens (47-26-7-2) in a matchup that looks like one of the best Week 1 matchups on the docket.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: Montreal Canadiens 30.26 / Washington Capitals 30.89
- Average Score For: Montreal Canadiens 2.69 / Washington Capitals 3.15
- Defensive Shots: Montreal Canadiens 29.65 / Washington Capitals 27.97
- Average Score Against: Montreal Canadiens 2.43/ Washington Capitals 2.29
Columbus at Chicago at 8:30 PM ET
The top seed in the Western Conference playoffs a year ago (Chicago) will host a Columbus (50-24-6-2) squad that ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference playoffs a year ago.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: Columbus Blue Jackets 31.40 / Chicago Blackhawks 30.63
- Average Score For: Columbus Blue Jackets 3.01 / Chicago Blackhawks 2.87
- Defensive Shots: Columbus Blue Jackets 30.57 / Chicago Blackhawks 31.37
- Average Score Against: Columbus Blue Jackets 2.48 / Chicago Blackhawks 2.63
Sunday, October 8
Montreal at NY Rangers at 7:00 PM ET
The second-seeded Montreal Canadiens will hit the road to face a Rangers team that also reached the Eastern Conference playoffs last season as the No. 7 seed.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: Montreal Canadiens 30.26 / NY Rangers 30.15
- Average Score For: Montreal Canadiens 2.69 / NY Rangers 3.09
- Defensive Shots: Montreal Canadiens 29.65 / NY Rangers 30.45
- Average Score Against: Montreal Canadiens 2.43 / NY Rangers 2.66
Monday, October 9
Calgary at Anaheim at 10:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs last season while the Calgary Flames also reached the postseason as the No. 7 seed out west.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: Calgary Flames 29.37 / Anaheim Ducks 30.35
- Average Score For: Calgary Flames 2.73 / Anaheim Ducks 2.76
- Defensive Shots: Calgary Flames 28.78 / Anaheim Ducks 30.08
- Average Score Against: Calgary Flames 2.73 / Anaheim Ducks 2.55
Tuesday, October 10
St. Louis at NY Rangers at 7:00 PM ET
The Blues (46-29-5-2) will look to improve in 2017-18 after reaching the playoffs as the No. 5 seed out west as will the Rangers after reaching the postseason as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. A must NHL Betting game for all fans across the country.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: St. Louis Blues 28.3 / NY Rangers 30.15
- Average Score For: St. Louis Blues 2.76 / NY Rangers 3.09
- Defensive Shots: St. Louis Blues 28.65 / NY Rangers 30.45
- Average Score Against: St. Louis Blues 2.59 / NY Rangers 2.66
Philadelphia at Nashville at 8:00 PM ET
The Flyers may have failed to reach the playoffs after going 39-33-5-5 in the Eastern Conference, but they’ve got a ton of young talent that will have their hands full when they look to get past a Nashville Predators (41-29-8-4) team that made it into the playoffs out west as the No. 8 seed, before getting really hot at just the right time.
Most Recent Team Statistics
- Offensive Shots: Philadelphia Flyers 31.50/ Nashville Predators 30.84
- Average Score For: Philadelphia Flyers 2.67 / Nashville Predators 2.88
- Defensive Shots: Philadelphia Flyers 28.49 / Nashville Predators 29.71
- Average Score Against: Philadelphia Flyers 2.88 / Nashville Predators 2.62
