Mikko Rantanen headlines Tuesday’s NHL anytime goalscorer picks.
The pregame narrative: Rantanen has started hot in his first full season with the Dallas Stars, and he has a favourable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. Elsewhere, I’m backing New York Islanders forward Anders Lee to produce.
Rantanen flexed his clutch gene in the playoffs last year, scoring nine goals and 22 points in 18 games with the Stars.
But the question remains: Can he do it on a random night in October?
The answer is obviously yes. Rantanen scored 42 and 55 goals in his last two full regular seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and has netted three through five entering play on Tuesday.
The Finnish forward ranks third on Dallas in scoring chances (18) and xG (1.94), per Natural Stat Trick.
Columbus is starting netminder Elvis Merzlikins, who has been consistently below average since his rookie season.
The goaltender has posted a sub-.900 save percentage in three straight seasons, and his 3.54 GAA currently ranks 46th in the league.
Key stat: Rantanen has scored five goals in his last five games against Columbus.
NHL predictions
Lee to score a goal (+220): Lee has continued to produce for the Islanders in his later years, netting 28-plus goals in three of his last four seasons.
He’s already scored two goals in five games so far and has a fantastic matchup tonight against the San Jose Sharks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in action following a turbulent weekend, hosting the New Jersey Devils at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.
The pregame narrative: Toronto lost in overtime to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, leading to some pointed remarks from netminder Anthony Stolarz. He’s tasked with stopping a Devils team averaging the fourth-most goals per game (3.80). Will the Maple Leafs, who are slightly favoured, answer the bell?
Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks for Oct. 21, featuring predictions on Auston Matthews and Timo Meier
Of course, that’s not my only rationale for this pick. Toronto’s captain is one of, if not the very best, goalscorers in the NHL.
Matthews is two seasons removed from scoring a franchise-record 69 goals, and he’s on pace for 54 through six games.
He has four goals so far and leads the entire NHL in xG (4.63), according to Natural Stat Trick.
Matthews also leads Toronto in shot attempts (47), scoring chances (31) and high-danger chances (11).
New Jersey is 4-1-0 but has played in several barn-burners. The Devils are giving up 3.0 goals per game and the ninth-most chances against per 60 (62.6).
Key stat: Matthews has scored in six of his last seven games against New Jersey (eight total goals).
Meier to not record a point (-106): Stolarz put his teammates in the spotlight after Saturday’s loss, calling out Toronto’s grit, work ethic, and willingness to defend the crease.
Maybe he should have kept those remarks behind closed doors, but I trust Toronto to respond.
Stolarz has had a shaky start, but he’s fresh off a career season in which he posted a 2.14 GAA and led the NHL in save percentage (.926).
The Leafs’ defence was elite at clogging high-danger areas last season and should be fighting tooth and nail for that space after what happened on the weekend.
Meier is skating on New Jersey’s second line, alongside Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer. He’s been productive so far but is still only 3-2 against this line.
Meier has never logged more than 53 points in a full season with New Jersey.
Maple Leafs picks made at 11:15 a.m. ET 10/21/2025.
Mikko Rantanen headlines Tuesday’s NHL anytime goalscorer picks.
The pregame narrative: Rantanen has started hot in his first full season with the Dallas Stars, and he has a favourable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. Elsewhere, I’m backing New York Islanders forward Anders Lee to produce.
Rantanen flexed his clutch gene in the playoffs last year, scoring nine goals and 22 points in 18 games with the Stars.
But the question remains: Can he do it on a random night in October?
The answer is obviously yes. Rantanen scored 42 and 55 goals in his last two full regular seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and has netted three through five entering play on Tuesday.
Lee to score a goal (+200): Lee has continued to produce for the Islanders in his later years, netting 28-plus goals in three of his last four seasons.
He’s already scored two goals in five games so far and has a fantastic matchup tonight against the San Jose Sharks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in action following a turbulent weekend, hosting the New Jersey Devils at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.
The pregame narrative: Toronto lost in overtime to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, leading to some pointed remarks from netminder Anthony Stolarz. He’s tasked with stopping a Devils team averaging the fourth-most goals per game (3.80). Will the Maple Leafs, who are slightly favoured, answer the bell?
Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks for Oct. 21, featuring predictions on Auston Matthews and Timo Meier
Of course, that’s not my only rationale for this pick. Toronto’s captain is one of, if not the very best, goalscorers in the NHL.
Matthews is two seasons removed from scoring a franchise-record 69 goals, and he’s on pace for 54 through six games.
He has four goals so far and leads the entire NHL in xG (4.63), according to Natural Stat Trick.
Matthews also leads Toronto in shot attempts (47), scoring chances (31) and high-danger chances (11).
New Jersey is 4-1-0 but has played in several barn-burners. The Devils are giving up 3.0 goals per game and the ninth-most chances against per 60 (62.6).
Key stat: Matthews has scored in six of his last seven games against New Jersey (eight total goals).
Meier to not record a point (-107): Stolarz put his teammates in the spotlight after Saturday’s loss, calling out Toronto’s grit, work ethic, and willingness to defend the crease.
Maybe he should have kept those remarks behind closed doors, but I trust Toronto to respond.
Stolarz has had a shaky start, but he’s fresh off a career season in which he posted a 2.14 GAA and led the NHL in save percentage (.926).
The Leafs’ defence was elite at clogging high-danger areas last season and should be fighting tooth and nail for that space after what happened on the weekend.
Meier is skating on New Jersey’s second line, alongside Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer. He’s been productive so far but is still only 3-2 against this line.
Meier has never logged more than 53 points in a full season with New Jersey.
Maple Leafs picks made at 11:15 a.m. ET 10/21/2025.
Two red-hot forwards on Canadian teams, Cole Caufield and Mark Scheifele, make up Monday’s NHL goal picks.
The pregame narrative: Both players are on fire to start their respective seasons, and they have favourable matchups against bottom-tier competition. Caufield has netted five goals for the Montreal Canadiens, and Scheifele has done one better for the Winnipeg Jets.
Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for Oct. 20.
NHL anytime goal picks
Best Bet: Caufield to score a goal (+133)
Caufield has been a consistent scorer from the moment he stepped into the league, but he’s taken things to another level lately.
The skilled winger logged career highs in goals (37) and points (70) last season, and seems poised to smash both of those marks in his sixth campaign.
He’s got five goals and eight points through six games and is leading the Canadiens in several important underlying statistical categories (via Natural Stat Trick):
Shot attempts (33)
Scoring chances (23)
High-danger chances (9)
xG (3.01)
The Canadiens have won four of their last five games, and they host the Buffalo Sabres, a team that has been a walkover for the last decade, tonight.
Buffalo is fresh off back-to-back wins — including one against the reigning champion Florida Panthers — but that doesn’t worry me one bit.
Caufield has had his way with the Sabres lately, scoring four goals in his last four games against his Atlantic Division foe.
Key stat: Buffalo has given up the third-most xG per 60 (3.43) since the start of last season.
Scheifele to score a goal (+163): Dustin Wolf was a stone wall for the Calgary Flames in his rookie season, posting a .910 SV% and 2.64 GAA while finishing second in Calder Trophy voting.
But the sophomore slump has hit the netminder hard.
Wolf has a 4.30 GAA and .854 SV% through five starts.
He has allowed 3+ goals in every start and 12 goals in three home games.
Calgary might opt to give Wolf a breather in favour of Devin Cooley, but that’s hardly an upgrade. The 28-year-old has started seven total NHL games and had an .870 SV% with the San Jose Sharks last year.
With all that said, backing Scheifele to score sounds pretty nice to me.
The veteran centre has been on a tear to start the year, with six goals in five games. He also leads Winnipeg in xG (3.2), high-danger chances (120) and scoring chances (20).
NHL anytime goal picks made at 11:35 a.m. ET on 10/20/2025.
Two red-hot forwards on Canadian teams, Cole Caufield and Mark Scheifele, make up Monday’s NHL goal picks.
The pregame narrative: Both players are on fire to start their respective seasons, and they have favourable matchups against bottom-tier competition. Caufield has netted five goals for the Montreal Canadiens, and Scheifele has done one better for the Winnipeg Jets.
Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for Oct. 20.
NHL anytime goal picks
Best Bet: Caufield to score a goal (+133)
Caufield has been a consistent scorer from the moment he stepped into the league, but he’s taken things to another level lately.
The skilled winger logged career highs in goals (37) and points (70) last season, and seems poised to smash both of those marks in his sixth campaign.
He’s got five goals and eight points through six games and is leading the Canadiens in several important underlying statistical categories (via Natural Stat Trick):
Shot attempts (33)
Scoring chances (23)
High-danger chances (9)
xG (3.01)
The Canadiens have won four of their last five games, and they host the Buffalo Sabres, a team that has been a walkover for the last decade, tonight.
Buffalo is fresh off back-to-back wins — including one against the reigning champion Florida Panthers — but that doesn’t worry me one bit.
Caufield has had his way with the Sabres lately, scoring four goals in his last four games against his Atlantic Division foe.
Key stat: Buffalo has given up the third-most xG per 60 (3.43) since the start of last season.
Scheifele to score a goal (+163): Dustin Wolf was a stone wall for the Calgary Flames in his rookie season, posting a .910 SV% and 2.64 GAA while finishing second in Calder Trophy voting.
But the sophomore slump has hit the netminder hard.
Wolf has a 4.30 GAA and .854 SV% through five starts.
He has allowed 3+ goals in every start and 12 goals in three home games.
Calgary might opt to give Wolf a breather in favour of Devin Cooley, but that’s hardly an upgrade. The 28-year-old has started seven total NHL games and had an .870 SV% with the San Jose Sharks last year.
With all that said, backing Scheifele to score sounds pretty nice to me.
The veteran centre has been on a tear to start the year, with six goals in five games. He also leads Winnipeg in xG (3.2), high-danger chances (120) and scoring chances (20).
NHL anytime goal picks made at 11:35 a.m. ET on 10/20/2025.
Hockey is Canada’s favourite sport. Unsurprisingly, the NHL betting market in Canada — home to seven of the league’s 32 teams — is quite popular.
There are many ways to bet on the NHL at NorthStar Bets, which we’ll cover in the sections below.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
For those new to betting or in need of a refresher, this how to bet on the NHL guide will run you through the markets that hockey-loving bettors like to wager on.
How to bet on the NHL
If you’re looking to pick the winner of a game, you can bet on a team to win on the moneyline or puck line. Not interested in choosing a winner or loser? Then betting on game totals and player props might be your speed.
Don’t fret if you missed putting in your bets before the game starts, either. Live betting is a popular way to wager on the NHL.
You can also bet on down-the-road events, such as the Stanley Cup champion or Hart Trophy winner. Those are known as futures markets. Let’s take a look at all of these market types, starting with how to bet on NHL moneylines.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
Moneyline
A moneyline wager is a favourite among NHL bettors and one of the simplest ways to make a bet. When wagering on the moneyline (listed as ML for short), you’re predicting which team will win the game straight up. That’s it.
Each team is assigned a different set of odds based on its win probability. That will ultimately determine the potential payout. A team that is favoured has a minus (-) sign before its odds, while the underdog has a plus (+) sign.
Odds will vary considerably between matchups based on the level of success among teams. A top squad like the Edmonton Oilers, for example, will be favoured in most of its games. In that case, you’ll see a minus sign before Edmonton’s odds.
-> Want to see current NHL moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to see current NHL moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
If the Oilers closed as -150 favourites, it means their implied win probability is 60.0%.
Additional factors, such as home-ice advantage and key injuries, can shift the odds further. Sometimes a moneyline favourite holds odds of -300 or -400.
At -400, the favoured team’s implied win probability is 80.0%, requiring a larger wager to return even a small profit.
This chart demonstrates your potential return on investment depending on the odds and how much you wagered:
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
Win
-110
52.4%
$110
$100
-400
80.0%
$400
$100
+160
38.5%
$100
$160
Puck line
Think of the puck line like the point spread. In higher-scoring sports like basketball and football, the spread is one of the most popular betting choices. It helps level the playing field in a sense, giving bettors an option to wager on a big underdog to either win outright or lose within a certain margin.
On the moneyline, a lopsided matchup features a favourite with minimal value against a long shot underdog. But on the puck line, both sides will have more reasonable odds to cash.
From the sportsbook’s perspective, puck line markets encourage action on both sides because the odds are more aligned.
In sports like hockey and baseball, which feature less scoring, large point spreads don’t exist because the typical margin of victory is small. But you can bet on a modest spread in hockey — called the puck line — with the handicap generally set at 1.5.
The puck line is popular because sometimes a moneyline bet doesn’t make a lot of sense.
For example: If the Florida Panthers are hosting the San Jose Sharks and you’re confident in a Florida blowout, you’d get better odds and a greater return if you bet Panthers -1.5 (to win by two or more goals) rather than betting Panthers ML.
The Panthers would be large favourites and there wouldn’t be much value on a moneyline play.
Puck lines allow bettors to potentially get a favourite at plus-money odds. Alternatively, they allow bettors to back an underdog without needing that team to win. But remember, when backing a puck line favourite, the team has to win by at least two goals for your bet to cash.
The +1.5 underdog, on the other hand, can lose and still cash your bet. They just can’t lose by more than one goal.
Also, like point spreads, there are alternative puck lines. So you could select the handicap to be 2.5 or even 3.5. You can find good value here if you expect a favourite to blow out a last-place team, for instance.
-> Ready to try puck line betting?Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily.
-> Ready to try puck line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily.
How to bet on NHL totals
Along with the moneyline, wagering on the total amount of goals scored in a game is among the most popular hockey betting markets. You will see totals referred to as the over/under or O/U. All three terms are interchangeable.
Betting on the total is also straightforward. You will be given a number of goals that the two teams have to combine to go over or under and you can wager on either option. The total for most NHL games is set between 5.5 and 6.5.
You can bet on alternative totals as well. For instance, you will have the option to place a bet on a 4.5 or 3.5 total and while you’d be playing it safe and your probability of winning would increase if you bet the over (compared to say a 5.5 standard O/U total), the odds would alter as well and your potential payout would decrease substantially.
Or it would increase substantially if you bet the under on an alternative total and cashed the bet.
Here’s an example of what the odds could look like for different totals:
Total
Over
Under
5.5
+110
-130
4.5
-260
+205
3.5
-450
+350
You can also bet on team-specific totals as well and place a bet on how many goals you think the Leafs will score in a contest, for instance.
Player props involve betting on individual outcomes in a game. You can place a bet on how many goals you think Auston Matthews will score in a contest, how many shots Quinn Hughes will put on net, or how many power-play points Connor McDavid will record.
Goal props are presented in a few different ways. You can bet on whether a player will score the first goal of the game, the last goal of the game or score at any time during the contest. Expecting a star like Matthews to have a big game? You can also bet on him to score two goals or even a hat trick.
You can also place bets on assist and point totals for a particular game. While the player prop market is more robust in other sports, there are still plenty of options for bettors to choose from in addition to the game-specific outcomes.
There are markets for game props, too. These include over/unders on total shots on net for the contest, total faceoffs, and the highest-scoring period.
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
Futures betting
The futures market involves betting on outcomes that will happen … in the future. While it’s not as robust as the daily markets that bettors can choose from, this is a great way to bet if you’re willing to play the long game. Good value can be found here.
When all 32 teams theoretically have a chance to win the Stanley Cup ahead of the season, the odds are going to look a lot different than what they would once the playoff field is set. The same goes for season-long awards. Teams and players will separate themselves as contenders and favourites as the season goes on, ultimately shortening their odds.
For instance, the Toronto Maple Leafs could be had for around +1,400 to win the Cup ahead of the 2024-25 season. But their odds shortened to +1,000 at the start of the postseason.
Let’s say the Maple Leafs had gone on to win the Cup, which we know they didn’t, a bettor who placed a $100 wager when Toronto was at +1,400 would have won $400 more than the person who bet on the club at +1,000.
Other common futures markets that bettors can wager on are the Hart Trophy, the O/U on a team’s win total, the Calder Trophy, the Vezina Trophy, division winners and more.
The futures market is open throughout the season, so you can place these types of bets at any time but the odds are constantly changing based on performance and injury.
Parlays
A parlay consists of making two or more bets on a single ticket and wagering once. Every bet on the parlay, known as legs, must be correct in order for you to win your ticket. Even if you get everything on the parlay right except for one play, you will lose the bet.
The more bets you attach to a single ticket decreases your likelihood of winning but parlays are attractive to some because the payouts are bigger than a single-game wager.
An example of an NHL parlay looks like this:
Legs
Odds
Jets +1.5
-115
Sidney Crosby to score
+115
Hurricanes moneyline
-140
The combined odds of this parlay are +587. If you predicted all three of those outcomes correctly, you would win $587 (a total payout of $687) on a $100 bet.
You can build a parlay like the above example, where you mix markets and matchups, but you can also make a same-game parlay bet. Here, you could combine a moneyline, over/under, player prop, and so on, from one specific contest.
An example of this would be betting on the Jets to win, Mark Scheifele to score, and Winnipeg to record more than 3.5 goals. Again, like any parlay, these types of bets are riskier for the bettor because the probability of winning decreases the more bets you tack on to the ticket.
In-game betting provides users with options to bet on games as they play out in real time. Among the markets you can bet on are the moneyline, over/under and puck line.
-> Experience live NHL betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every drive
-> Experience live NHL betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every drive
Live betting can offer great value if a big favourite falls behind early and becomes an underdog on the ML as a result. Under that scenario, you would net a higher return by betting on them mid-game than you would have before the contest started if they went on to win.
The odds constantly change throughout a game. This is especially true after goals are scored.
Markets will sometimes close during a power play or late in the game, but this is another way you can bet after the puck drops.
-> Ready to put your NHL knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your NHL knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
Three of the league’s best goalscorers have my eye on a loaded Saturday slate for my NHL anytime goal picks.
The pregame narrative: Scoring goals is the hardest thing you can do in the NHL. I’m not playing around with my goal picks for Saturday, and instead, I’m homing in on three of the best lamp lighters in the league. Brayden Point, David Pastrnak, and Jack Hughes are all intriguing targets.
Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for Oct. 18.
NHL anytime goal picks
Best Bet: Hughes to score a goal (+150)
At first glance, this doesn’t seem like a great wager.
These odds are pretty short for a guy who only has one goal this season.
But Hughes’ ability to pop off any night for a ridiculous shot total makes him a threat to score a goal.
His most recent game is the best example of that. Hughes ripped off eight shots and a goal in a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers.
Hughes has shown some volatility this year. The skilled forward has 16 shots through four games, but 15 of those shots have come in just two games alone.
But I’m fine leaning into that, given his impressive track record.
Additionally, the matchup is intriguing against the Edmonton Oilers in a game where both teams will likely have to score plenty to win.
Key stat: Hughes is one of just four players with two games of seven-plus shots on goal this season.
Point to score a goal (+148): There are several reasons to back Point to score a goal tonight.
Firstly, the matchup is intriguing. The Tampa Bay Lightning battle the Columbus Blue Jackets, and they’re leaking goals lately.
Columbus has allowed 11 goals across its last three games, surrendering at least three markers in each of those contests.
The Blue Jackets surrender a lot of rubber on net, too, which works in Point’s favour. Columbus is ceding the second-most shots on goal per game (37.0).
Pastrnak to score a goal (+145): Lastly, I’m betting on Pastrnak to tickle twine.
Pastrnak has struck in two of the Boston Bruins’ five games this season, but he’s been involved in every outing this year.
The talented winger has three-plus shots in each game, and he’s tied for fourth among all skaters with 22 shots on goal.
Boston’s offence will continue to revolve around Pastrnak as the clear lead dog up front.
The Bruins battle the Colorado Avalanche, and the latter has been very stingy this year. The Avs have surrendered one goal or fewer in four of their five games this year.
Still, I’m confident in Pastrnak being involved and breaking through in a difficult matchup.
NHL anytime goal picks made at 11:40 a.m. ET on 10/18/2025.
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Seattle Kraken in an early-season Saturday night showdown.
The pregame narrative: The action between Toronto and Seattle’s baseball teams has been intense. I’m not sure that same competitiveness will show on the ice tonight, but the Maple Leafs will try to extend their winning streak to three, while the Kraken aim to avoid a three-game losing streak.
Check out my Kraken vs. Maple Leafs picks, featuring prop bets on John Tavares and Jared McCann.
Kraken vs. Maple Leafs picks
Best Bet: Tavares to not score 1+ points (+115)
Betting on players not to score points isn’t fun, but I’m not looking for fun. I’m looking to cash a wager.
Tavares’ numbers aren’t bad to start the season. The Maple Leafs centre has five points in five games.
The only problem is that he has only produced when the squad has exploded offensively.
Toronto has scored more than three goals in two of its five outings thus far. Tavares has five points in those games.
Conversely, the veteran forward has zero points in the three games where the Maple Leafs have scored three or fewer.
I’m not betting on an above-average performance from Toronto in this contest.
Joey Daccord gets the start for Seattle, and he’s been one of the most underrated netminders in the league for a little while now.
I’ll gladly fade Tavares at this price on Saturday.
Key stat: Tavares is pointless in three of his last four games.
Maple Leafs predictions
Under 6 goals (-110): Let’s dive in further on Daccord.
I wasn’t kidding when I said he’s been one of the most underrated goalies of the past few seasons.
Here are the save percentage leaders since the 2023-24 season among goalies with 100-plus games played:
1st: Connor Hellebuyck – .922
T-2nd: Sergei Bobrovsky, Igor Shesterkin, Daccord – .911
Firstly, how good has Hellebuyck been? Secondly, bet you didn’t know Daccord has been that good.
He has stopped a larger percentage of shots than superstar goaltenders Andrei Vasilevskiy, Jake Oettinger and Juuse Saros.
Daccord has held opponents to one goal in two of his three starts this year. Expect similar results and a low-scoring contest.
McCann over 2.5 shots (-118): This is a nice number to back McCann at.
The winger is Seattle’s best offensive threat, which says more about the Kraken’s offence than it does about McCann.
Still, being the featured guy on an offence puts you in plenty of shoot-first situations.
McCann has been firing the puck plenty to begin the campaign. He has topped this total in all four contests, registering 14 shots through four games (3.5 per outing).
The Maple Leafs are a pretty neutral matchup, ranking 16th in shots against per game (28.0).
Kraken vs. Maple Leafs picks made at 10:21 a.m. ET 10/18/2025.
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Seattle Kraken in an early-season Saturday night showdown.
The pregame narrative: The action between Toronto and Seattle’s baseball teams has been intense. I’m not sure that same competitiveness will show on the ice tonight, but the Maple Leafs will try to extend their winning streak to three, while the Kraken aim to avoid a three-game losing streak.
Check out my Kraken vs. Maple Leafs picks, featuring prop bets on John Tavares and Jared McCann.
Kraken vs. Maple Leafs picks
Best Bet: Tavares to not score 1+ points (+120)
Betting on players not to score points isn’t fun, but I’m not looking for fun. I’m looking to cash a wager.
Tavares’ numbers aren’t bad to start the season. The Maple Leafs centre has five points in five games.
The only problem is that he has only produced when the squad has exploded offensively.
Toronto has scored more than three goals in two of its five outings thus far. Tavares has five points in those games.
Conversely, the veteran forward has zero points in the three games where the Maple Leafs have scored three or fewer.
I’m not betting on an above-average performance from Toronto in this contest.
Joey Daccord gets the start for Seattle, and he’s been one of the most underrated netminders in the league for a little while now.
I’ll gladly fade Tavares at this price on Saturday.
Key stat: Tavares is pointless in three of his last four games.
Under 6 goals (-107): Let’s dive in further on Daccord.
I wasn’t kidding when I said he’s been one of the most underrated goalies of the past few seasons.
Here are the save percentage leaders since the 2023-24 season among goalies with 100-plus games played:
1st: Connor Hellebuyck – .922
T-2nd: Sergei Bobrovsky, Igor Shesterkin, Daccord – .911
Firstly, how good has Hellebuyck been? Secondly, bet you didn’t know Daccord has been that good.
He has stopped a larger percentage of shots than superstar goaltenders Andrei Vasilevskiy, Jake Oettinger and Juuse Saros.
Daccord has held opponents to one goal in two of his three starts this year. Expect similar results and a low-scoring contest.
McCann over 2.5 shots (+105): This is a nice number to back McCann at.
The winger is Seattle’s best offensive threat, which says more about the Kraken’s offence than it does about McCann.
Still, being the featured guy on an offence puts you in plenty of shoot-first situations.
McCann has been firing the puck plenty to begin the campaign. He has topped this total in all four contests, registering 14 shots through four games (3.5 per outing).
The Maple Leafs are a pretty neutral matchup, ranking 16th in shots against per game (28.0).
Kraken vs. Maple Leafs picks made at 10:21 a.m. ET 10/18/2025.
