Join Daily Faceoff’s Nick Martin as he handicaps the best NHL player prop bets available from Thursday’s 14-game NHL slate.
Best Bet: Connor Bedard +200 Anytime Goalscorer (bet365, play to +190)
In a difficult matchup versus one of the NHL’s best defensive sides, Bedard looked quite threatening on opening night and could be poised to tally his first of the year with a similar performance versus a shaky Boston Bruins side playing the second leg of a back-to-back, with backup Joonas Korpisalo set to start in goal.
Bedard flashed his incredible release on his first shift of the season, wiring this shot off the post after a strong burst of speed down the wing. Bedard reached a top skating speed of 22.36 mph in Tuesday’s matchup, which was higher than any mark he reached last season, and he looked quite dangerous overall.
Wicked move by Connor Bedard to blow past Seth Jones. Sergei Bobrovsky (and the crossbar) have just had Bedard’s number so far tonight. He’s had 3 or 4 high quality chances. #Blackhawkspic.twitter.com/5W6Ls7Rosu
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) October 7, 2025
It will always be more difficult than it should be for Bedard to generate high-quality scoring chances playing alongside Andre Burakovsky and Ryan Donato on the top line. Still, at a price of +200 for Bedard to score, I’m keen to buy on the upside of the former first overall pick after a very impressive showing on opening night as he gets a softer matchup Thursday.
Emmitt Finnie Anytime Goalscorer +375 (bet365, Play to +360)
Since being selected 201st overall in the 2023 NHL draft, Finnie has developed into a surprisingly notable prospect after racking up 37 goals and 84 points in 55 WHL games last season. He’s known for a strong understanding of spacing in the offensive zone to help keep plays alive and a tireless work ethic all over the ice.
With an excellent training camp and preseason, Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan has opted to offer Finnie a role on the top line alongside two strong playmakers in Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin. Finnie put up two goals in six preseason games, and should get some good looks tonight considering his linemates and matchup versus a mediocre Canadiens defense core.
While it could be a reach to assume that Finnie is ready for success in the top-six minutes at the NHL level, we are getting a good price at +375 considering his role and Finnie’s potential goal-scoring upside.
Jared McCann Over 2.5 Shots on Goal -110 (bet365, Play to -120):
Despite ranking fourth among Kraken forwards in average time on ice last season, McCann led the team with 61 points. While he did have somewhat of a down year, it’s still easy to argue that McCann should have been used more heavily by former head coach Dan Byslma, who was relieved of his duties after a very unconvincing season.
McCann is the most talented scorer in Seattle’s lineup and should never be playing anywhere but the top line and top power play, where he is set to line up tonight in Lane Lambert’s first game as head coach.
McCann will skate at even strength with two pass-first players in Jordan Eberle and Matty Beniers, and the trio should generate a solid output of chances versus a Ducks side that allowed the most shots against in the NHL last season.
The fit wasn’t right between Byslma and McCann last season, but the 29-year-old could be a strong bounce-back candidate this season, and is only two years removed from a 40-goal season.
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