NHL Player Props Today: Best Bets & Anytime Goalscorer Picks (Oct. 2)

• Friday’s NHL slate features five games, including Rangers vs Red Wings
• The Golden Knights, Rangers and Jets feature in my favorite player props
• See the picks, prices and matchup analysis below for Friday, October 2nd

Friday’s five-game NHL schedule offers several ways to approach player props, from anytime goalscorer markets to shots on goal. With the season just underway, established offensive roles matter alongside the first few box scores.

The NHL player props board features a mix of stars and early-season contributors. After reviewing the full October 2 slate, I’ve narrowed the card to three selections across Rangers-Red Wings, Bruins-Jets and Ducks-Golden Knights. Continue reading for my selections from the NHL odds.

NHL Player Props & Anytime Goalscorer Picks

Odds as of October 1. Compare available prices through our NHL betting apps.

Jack Eichel Anytime Goalscorer Pick vs Ducks

• Pick: Jack Eichel anytime goalscorer (+175 at bet365)

Jack Eichel opened the season with one goal and two assists in Vegas’ 5-2 win over Chicago. He supplied the game-winning goal, immediately providing production for a Vegas squad that made the Cup Final last season.

Eichel gets another home matchup against Anaheim on Friday. His offensive responsibility makes him my goalscorer target, while +175 offers a better return than the +160 consensus number for the same market. That difference matters: a $10 winning bet returns $17.50 in profit at +175, compared with $16 at +160.

This is an anytime-goal wager, so Eichel needs to score at least once; assists alone won’t get it done. His three-point opener shows how involved he can be, but the bet is specifically on his finishing. I’m taking the plus-money opportunity rather than paying for a broader points market after that productive debut.

Pavel Dorofeyev Shots Pick vs Red Wings

• Pick: Pavel Dorofeyev over 2.5 shots (-125)

Pavel Dorofeyev has started the year with one goal and one assist through two games. Those points don’t establish a long-term trend, but they do show early involvement in the Rangers’ attack as New York visits Detroit. His goal and assist against Tampa Bay give him some momentum heading into this matchup, in his second game with his new squad.

The shots line is 2.5, with the consensus board pricing the over at -125. That keeps the focus on Dorofeyev’s individual volume rather than requiring the Rangers to win or reach a particular team total. Three shots on goal are enough to cash, even if none finds the back of the net. In his first two contests as a member of the Broadway Blueshirts, he has five shots each outing.

There’s a clear difference between this wager and backing him to score. His anytime-goal price is +195 on the consensus board, but I’m choosing the lower bar of three shots instead.

Kyle Connor Shots Pick vs Bruins

• Pick: Kyle Connor under 3.5 shots (-176)

Kyle Connor faces a 3.5-shot threshold against Boston, meaning he needs four shots to beat this under. The consensus price is -176 on the under and +134 on the over. The market favors him finishing below that mark, even with his offensive reputation.

Boston allowed 24 shots in its 3-0 opening win over the Rangers, with Jeremy Swayman stopping all 24. The shot total is the relevant part for this wager: keeping opponents’ volume manageable gives an under a chance. One game isn’t a complete defensive profile, but it is a useful first reference point.

Connor can still have a productive night without reaching four shots. A goal or an assist doesn’t automatically hurt this bet, provided his final shot count stays at three or fewer. The drawback is the -176 price, the shortest on this card, so I would keep this tied to the 3.5 line rather than accept a drop to 2.5.