Spencer Closs

Two star forwards contribute to Thursday’s NHL anytime goal picks.

The pregame narrative: David Pastrnak has scored only once this season, but his underlying stats say he’s due for a breakout sooner rather than later. Before that, take the value on Kirill Marchenko extending his scoring streak.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for Oct. 16.

-> See live NHL odds for tonight’s loaded 11-game slate!

NHL anytime goal picks

Best bet: Pastrnak to score a goal (+138)

The Boston Bruins look a lot more competent this season with a 3-1-0 record to this point. Pastrnak leads the way with five points, but he only has one goal.

It hasn’t been because he’s lacking chances, though.

• Pastrnak leads the Bruins in shots (18) and power play time (5+ minutes per night). He also paces the Bruins forwards as the only one to average over 20 minutes of ice time.

• For context, only one other Bruin (Elias Lindholm) has taken more than 10 shots.

• Pastrnak ranks inside the top 20 for xG (2.4) and shots on goal per 60 (13.22), according to MoneyPuck.

-> Bet on Pastrnak to score vs. Vegas at NorthStar Bets

There’s certainly more production on the horizon for the Bruins’ best player. He has 40+ goals in five of the past six seasons (including 61 goals in 2022-23). The year he fell short, he only played 48 games.

Pastrnak hasn’t scored a power play goal (or point) yet, but that could change against the Vegas Golden Knights, who’ve kill penalties at a 66.7% rate.

Additionally, Vegas is expected to start Adin Hill in goal, and he hasn’t been very good to start the year.

Key stat: Hill has a 3.60 GAA and a .845 SV%. He has the seventh-worst goals above expected in the NHL among goalies who have played at least two games (-1.9).

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NHL predictions

Marchenko to score a goal (+205): Marchenko is off to a great start, scoring four goals in his first three games.

The winger has scored in back-to-back outings and always provides a solid offensive floor.

• He’s the only forward on the Columbus Blue Jackets with more than nine shots on goal. He has 17.

• Marchenko is coming off a breakout season in which he scored 31 times.

• He leads the Blue Jackets forwards in ice time, playing just under 20 minutes per game.

The Colorado Avalanche are a tough matchup, but this looks like a letdown spot. The Avs play their second consecutive road game before returning home to play the Bruins on Saturday.

Scott Wedgewood (1.72 GAA) has been solid in goal in Mackenzie Blackwood’s absence, but he’s never been a proven starter.

The most games he’s ever started in a season were 28 with the Dallas Stars in 2023-24. He had an .899 SV% that year.

This will be his fifth start of the season already, and I expect some regression moving forward. If anyone on the Blue Jackets can take advantage, it’s Marchenko.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 11:55 a.m. ET on 10/16/2025.

The Toronto Maple Leafs can win back-to-back games for the first time this season, but need to get past the New York Rangers at home to do so.

The pregame narrative: The Rangers are 2-3-0, but both victories came on the road while being winless at home. Toronto’s offence came alive against the Nashville Predators, and I expect more of the same led by the first line of forwards.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks for Oct. 16, featuring predictions on Easton Cowan, Matthew Knies and Alexis Lafreniere.

Maple Leafs picks vs. Rangers

Best bet: Cowan to record a point (+123)

If the Leafs’ rookie is going to be put into positions to succeed, I’ll happily back him to find the scoresheet at this plus-money price.

• In his first two NHL games, Cowan has played most of his time on the first line with Knies and Auston Matthews.

• He recorded his first career point in Tuesday’s win over the Predators on a beautiful play that involved the trio of first liners.

Cowan has provided a spark of energy to the Leafs’ lineup and should continue to get more minutes from coach Craig Berube as he builds trust with his strong play.

The rookie isn’t getting any power play time at the moment, but that’s irrelevant when Toronto has zero PP goals in four games.

Matthews and Knies are both -165 or shorter to get a point tonight, so I’ll back their newest linemate to contribute on the score sheet at a much more playable price.

Key stat: In the OHL playoffs last season, Cowan had 39 points in 17 games.

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Best NHL prop predictions

Knies over 2.5 shots (+150): This line doesn’t make much sense for Knies. Here’s why:

• The forward is 3-1 against this wager this season.

• He plays the second most time for any Leafs’ forward behind only Matthews (20:34)

• In fact, Knies ranks 23rd amongst all NHL forwards for time on ice.

Playing top-end minutes naturally raises his production floor.

Last season, Knies averaged just under two shots per game but played two fewer minutes a night. His added workload provides an opportunity to get that number up, which we’ve seen so far this year.

This isn’t a great matchup by any means. The Rangers concede the eighth fewest shots on target (26.0), but I can comfortably look past that at this value.

Lafreniere to record a point (-115): I want to finish things off by fading the Leafs’ defence in some capacity.

Through four games, the Leafs are allowing 27.8 shots and 3.8 goals per game. Both numbers rank in the bottom half of the NHL.

New York has struggled mightily to score, getting shut out three times in five games, but all those contests were at home.

On the road, the Rangers have scored 10 goals in two games. It’s also safe to assume they will improve on their woeful 6.5% shooting rate (30th).

That brings me to Lafreniere. The former first overall pick is finally getting his opportunity with the Rangers.

After the departure of a few key forwards in the offseason, Lafreniere now skates on the first line and top power play unit.

He has just two points in five games, but almost every skater on the Rangers is underperforming thanks to their play at Madison Square Garden.

The good news is he gets a lot of ice time and has taken the second-most shots on the team. Everyone on the Rangers is due for more offence, and Lafreniere is a top candidate to chip in.

Maple Leafs picks made at 9:06 a.m. ET 10/16/2025.

There are only four games on tap in the NHL on Wednesday, but that’s enough to provide two solid anytime goal picks.

The pregame narrative: Dylan Guenther has developed into the Utah Mammoth’s most dangerous forward, and he has a good shot to add to his goal total. Elsewhere, I’m taking a shot on Dylan Holloway to score his first of the season for the St. Louis Blues.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for Oct. 15.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best bet: Guenther to score a goal (+138)

The 22-year-old winger leads the Mammoth in scoring, and he has tremendous value to add another on Wednesday. Here’s why:

• In his first full NHL season in 2024-25, Guenther had 60 points (27 goals) in 70 games.

• He’s one of three forwards on the Mammoth to average over 20 minutes of ice time in the early season.

• Guenther is the most attacking-minded of the bunch, leading the team with 13 shots on goal through three games. Only one other player has taken more than eight shots.

He plays alongside Logan Cooley, who is another young stud on the roster with great playmaking skills. He had 40 assists as a sophomore last year.

Guenther leads Utah with four points when no one else has more than two. That’s because he is able to create offence like this on his own.

Tonight, the Mammoth play the 1-3-0 Calgary Flames, and they’ve been one of the worst defensive teams to start the season.

Backup Devin Cooley is expected to be in net. He has played six NHL games in his career, allowing 25 goals against (.870 SV%).

Key stat: The Flames have allowed three or more goals in every game this season (4.0 average).

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NHL predictions

Holloway to score a goal (+175): I think Holloway is overdue to score.

He was traded to the Blues from the Edmonton Oilers last offseason and immediately became one of their best forwards.

• ’22-23 (Edmonton): 51 GP, 3 G
• ’23-24 (Edmonton): 38 GP, 6 G
• ’24-25 (St. Louis): 77 GP, 26 G

His jump from nine points with the Oilers to 63 in his first season with the Blues made him a true breakout star.

This year, he hasn’t scored yet, but it hasn’t been from a lack of opportunities.

• Holloway is tied for first on the Blues in shots per game (3.0).

• He leads all St. Louis forwards in time on ice (19:28).

It’s unlikely he goes much longer without his first point, and I predict he finally gets on the board in a big way against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago takes the second-most penalty minutes per game and allows 29.8 shots on goal, which ranks in the bottom 10.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 11:55 a.m. ET on 10/15/2025.