NHL Predictions Today: Odds, Picks & Best Bets for Thursday, Oct. 8
My favorite NHL predictions today include two plus-money plays for Thursday's slate of games, but I'm leading with Nathan MacKinnon.
The Avalanche superstar shouldn't face much resistance in Calgary tonight. Meanwhile, I've identified two other market advantages involving Dylan Guenther and Sebastian Aho.
🏒 NHL predictions today: Oct. 8
See all of our experts’ NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.
| Pick | Odds | Bet size |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 points (Avalanche at Flames, 9 p.m. ET) | -110 via DraftKings | 1 unit to profit 0.91 units |
| Dylan Guenther 4+ shots on goal (Mammoth at Bruins, 7 p.m. ET) | +165 via DraftKings | 1 unit to profit 1.65 units |
| Sebastian Aho Over 0.5 power-play points (Canucks at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET) | +180 via BetMGM | 1 unit to profit 1.8 units |
Total wagered: 3 units | Max profit: 4.36 units
💰 NHL best bet today
Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 points (-110 via DraftKings)
Nathan MacKinnon has owned the Flames in recent years. The former Hart Trophy winner has six multi-point games against the Flames over the last three seasons.
This Calgary team has shown no resistance in their own end to begin the new campaign either, allowing an NHL-high 5.33 goals per game so far. After a quiet night in Winnipeg on Wednesday, this is a spot for one of the league's best offenses to take over on the back of an elite scorer.
MacKinnon is in line for another multi-point outing versus the Flames, and I love the -110 vig being offered at DraftKings. MacKinnon Over 1.5 points is priced as high as -140 at other best sports betting sites.
📡 SBR Edge: Flames' netminding is a nightmare
Calgary's goaltending has been abysmal, ranking third-worst in goals allowed above expected, according to MoneyPuck.
🔥 More NHL picks & predictions
Dylan Guenther 4+ shots on goal (+165 via DraftKings)
Dylan Guenther is one of the league's highest-volume shooters, even going back to the end of last season. The Mammoth winger has been even more aggressive this year, tallying five shots in three of his four games.
Another trend that stretches back into 2025-26 is the Bruins' inability to keep shots away from goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Boston is allowing the sixth-most shots on goal per game after ranking bottom-five in that category a year ago.
With both trends extending back to last season, I'm confident Guenther can tally at least four SOG at DraftKings' plus-money odds.
Sebastian Aho Over 0.5 power-play points (+180 via BetMGM)
Sebastian Aho's offensive game is off and running to begin 2026-27 - especially on the man advantage. Aho is at the center of Carolina's power-play attack, and he has a plus special-teams matchup on Thursday night.
The Canes forward has a league-high three power-play goals through four games, alongside a PP assist. Now he faces a Canucks team that has allowed the most PP goals on the third-most PK opportunities.
There is a much better chance of Aho picking up a PP point than the 35.71% implied probability of BetMGM's +180 odds.
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