NHL Player Props & Anytime Goalscorer Picks Today (Oct. 8)
By Jordan Tomiyama in NHL Hockey
Published:
- Thursday’s NHL player props cover a full 10-game slate
- Which player prop bets are the most intriguing?
- Keepreading to see the best NHL player prop bets, anytime goal scorer picks and the latest odds
Thursday’s NHL player props offer plenty of options across a 10-game schedule. Nashville visits Montreal, Colorado faces Calgary and Toronto heads to Vegas.
I’m looking at recent shot volume and the opposing defenses to narrow the card. Early-season team numbers offer context, while longer player trends need to be weighed over their full sample.
Below are my best NHL player props and anytime goalscorer picks for Oct. 8.
NHL Player Props Today
Odds from BetMGM as of October 8th at 11:02 AM E
When scouring the board for the best value tonight, the oddsmakers are showing IMMENSE respect to the top-tier superstars. If you want the best odds of scoring a goal, look no further than Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon. Priced at a juicy (+105) to find the back of the net, MacKinnon has the shortest goalscorer price in the table above.
If you prefer attacking the shot prop market, the ceiling is set at 3.5. Auston Matthews is among the players with a 3.5-shot line and offers plus-money odds (+105) to eclipse his mark.
Best NHL Prop Bets Tonight: Expert Player Prop Picks
Steven Stamkos Shots on Goal vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-135) at FanDuel
My Steven Stamkos shots-on-goal pick starts with his recent shooting volume. In a recent eight-game sample that may span seasons, the veteran forward has cleared 2.5 shots on goal in seven games, an 88% cover rate that makes him an appealing option for bettors.
During this recent heater, he is averaging an impressive 3.62 shots per game while logging heavy minutes on the man advantage. Tonight, he draws a phenomenal 5-on-5 matchup against a struggling Montreal Canadiens defense. Montreal is structurally lost in their own end right now.
The Canadiens are currently bleeding high-danger scoring chances, allowing 30.33 shots and a generous 4.33 goals against per game. Compounding their defensive woes is a very vulnerable .848 team save percentage, making this a spectacular spot for Stamkos to keep letting it fly.
Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goalscorer vs. Calgary Flames
- Anytime Goalscorer (+105) at BetMGM
My Nathan MacKinnon anytime goalscorer pick builds on his volume against Calgary. While his shot prop is always tempting, I am pivoting to his goalscorer market given his historic dominance in this specific divisional matchup. Getting a player of this caliber at plus-money is rare.
The Avalanche superstar has been a nightmare for the Calgary Flames, generating a staggering 5.0 shots per game over their last three meetings. When you are putting that much rubber on net, the goals naturally follow. He is currently riding an elite offensive trend following a victory, dominating possession metrics through the neutral zone.
The Flames offer little defensive resistance, suggesting they can slow down this freight train tonight. Calgary is surrendering a massive 5.0 goals per game, backed by a .812 team save percentage. MacKinnon at (+105) to score in this environment is an attractive plus-money angle.
Tomas Hertl Shots on Goal vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-165) at Bet365
My Tomas Hertl shots-on-goal pick targets a low 1.5-shot total. He enters tonight having exceeded this number in a recent eight-game sample that may span seasons. That 100% cover rate is a strong trend, but a small sample is not a promise of future results.
Over that fantastic span, he is averaging exactly 3.0 shots per game and generating consistent pressure below the faceoff circles. Hertl absolutely LOVES playing on home ice, clearing this 1.5 mark in seven straight home tilts with a 3.14 shot average. His linemates are constantly feeding him in high-percentage shooting areas.
The visiting Maple Leafs present a highly manageable defensive assignment for the Golden Knights center. Toronto is allowing 26.25 shots against per game with an .895 goaltending save percentage. With his current usage rate, Hertl has plenty of room to comfortably fire at least two shots on net.
Jordan has worked in sports media for the last seven years, writing articles, managing social media, and covering sporting events for various media outlets. Jordan's work focuses on NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and the NHL.