NHL Predictions Today: Odds, Picks & Best Bets for Wednesday, Sept. 30
The opener of my NHL predictions series features three bets and a bonus pick you’ll want to cash in on. My confidence level is as high as Jeremy Swayman’s after his 24-shot shutout against the New York Rangers.
These picks feature two Toronto Maple Leafs (William Nylander and Auston Matthews) and Nathan MacKinnon on a three-game Wednesday night.
🏒 NHL predictions today: Sept. 30
See all of our experts’ NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.
| Pick | Odds | Bet size |
|---|---|---|
| Auston Matthews Over 3.5 shots Islanders vs. Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. ET | +102 via FanDuel | 2 units to profit 2.04 units |
| William Nylander Over 2.5 shots Islanders vs. Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. ET | +104 via FanDuel | 2 units to profit 2.08 units |
| Nathan MacKinnon anytime goalKings vs. Avalanche 10 p.m. ET | +115 via FanDuel | 1 unit to profit 1.15 units |
Total wagered: 5 units | Max profit: 5.27 units
💰 NHL best bet today
Auston Matthews Over 3.5 shots (+102 via FanDuel)
The Maple Leafs captain had three shots on goal and four attempts against the Habs on opening night. He will be better against the Islanders; I’m sure of it. Matthews should have the sharpness advantage over the Islanders, a team he has dominated recently.
With 25 shots in the previous four meetings, he has a history of firing more pucks on net against the Islanders than a gamer versus their enemy in Call of Duty. That reign of terror included four consecutive Overs.
📡 SBR Bonus Pick: Matthews anytime goal (+150)
The Maple Leafs captain netted five goals in the previous four meetings with the Islanders and eight in the last 10.
🔥 More NHL picks & predictions
William Nylander Over 2.5 shots (+104 via FanDuel)
Nylander was shot out of a cannon on opening night against the Montreal Canadiens. Speaking of shots, the creative Swede led the team with nine attempts, five of which tested Jakub Dobeš.
While he wasn’t great defensively (when is he, really?), Nylander was firing on sight, as he did two seasons ago. He looked comfortable on a line with Gavin McKenna and John Tavares, with the latter firing four shots on target.
In this rare scenario, I believe the Maple Leafs have the advantage of playing back-to-back nights. The New York Islanders will take some time to match the Maple Leafs' game speed.
Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal (+115 via FanDuel)
If MacKinnon is even half as amped as he was at the start of last season, the Los Angeles Kings are in more trouble than a stranded polar bear.
He scored six goals in the opening six contests of the 2025-26 season and netted a pair against the Kings the last time these teams met, Game 4 of the first round.
MacKinnon has the added benefit of starting at home, where he has scored 50 more goals than on the road throughout his career.
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