NHL Picks Today: NHL Best Bets, Predictions and Props for Wednesday, September 30

Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• New York Islanders Moneyline (+108)
• Nathan MacKinnon 4+ Shots on Goal (-165)

Whether it's moneylines, goal props, or who lights the lamp, there are plenty of ways to bet on NHL action all season. It's a long 82-game campaign, meaning that the best selections of each night can be very different based on backup goalies coming into play, injuries that add up, and if teams are due for positive or negative swings.

For additional NHL insights, check out FanDuel Research's daily NHL player prop projections, which are powered by numberFire.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

NHL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

NHL Predictions Today: Player Props, Best Bets

New York Islanders Moneyline (+108)

Islanders vs. Maple Leafs, 7:40 p.m. ET

I like the New York Islanders at plus money against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto is playing the second half of a back-to-back after opening its season Tuesday night while New York is making its season debut. That scheduling edge is already appealing, and the Islanders also bring the stronger defensive profile from a year ago.

New York allowed 2.88 goals per game in 2025-26 while Toronto surrendered 3.60 per contest, which ranked 31st in the NHL. The Islanders finished 43-34-5 last season compared to Toronto’s 32-36-14 mark.

Despite this game being in Toronto, I like the Isles to get the win.

Nathan MacKinnon 4+ Shots on Goal (-165)

Kings vs. Avalanche, 10:18 p.m. ET

MacKinnon piled up 350 shots in 80 regular-season games last year, an average of 4.38 per game. He also scored 53 goals and finished with 127 points, so there’s no question about his role as the focal point of the Colorado Avalanche offense.

The matchup versus the Los Angeles Kings isn't necessarily a soft one — the Kings allowed only 2.90 goals per game last season — but MacKinnon has shown he can generate volume against them. He recorded eight shots in one regular-season meeting last March, and in Colorado’s first-round playoff series against Los Angeles, he posted at least four shots in two of the four games.

At Ball Arena, with Colorado opening its season and MacKinnon expected to handle his usual massive workload, I like him to get to at least four shots on goal.

NHL Betting -- Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moneyline in NHL betting?

The moneyline is a straight-up bet on which team will win the game — no spread involved. Favorites are listed with a negative number (e.g., -160), meaning you'd need to wager $160 to win $100. Underdogs carry a positive number (e.g., +140), meaning a $100 bet returns $140 in profit.

What is the puck line?

The puck line is hockey's version of a point spread. It is almost always set at 1.5 goals. The favorite must win by two or more goals to cover, while the underdog can lose by one goal and still cover.

How does the over/under (total) work in hockey?

FanDuel sets a total number of goals for the game (including overtime and shootout goals). You bet whether the actual combined score will go Over or Under that number. NHL totals typically range from 5.5 to 6.5 goals. The shootout winner will have a goal added to their total. For example, if the score is 2-2 after regulation, and one team wins the shootout, the final score for settlement purposes is 3-2. However, some prop bets are settled on regulation time only — always check the specific rules for each bet at your sportsbook.

New customers can get up to $250 in Bonus Bets — guaranteed — when you bet $5 every day for five days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which NHL bets stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's NHL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.