It's the first full Saturday of the 2025-26 National Hockey League regular season, and all 32 teams are in action. The action gets underway at 1:30 p.m. ET with the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, while wrapping up with three games at 10 p.m. ET. We'll fast forward to the evening schedule, picking three games to formulate a few different parlay possibilities.
The Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks have a 7 p.m. ET matchup on NHL Network, the only nationally-televised game on the slate. Let's get started.
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Expert NHL Picks and Top Betting Parlay Options for October 11
For the latest NHL Odds, including NHL Futures and NHL player props, visit RotoWire's NHL Betting page. For up-to-date NHL player news and NHL Injury Report info, head to RotoWire's NHL Lineups page. You can find more picks at Bookies.com/picks. Here are our NHL Best Bets today, featuring expert NHL picks for an action-packed slate of games.
Key NHL Betting Trends and Matchups Analysis
Philadelphia Flyers 
at Carolina Hurricanes 
The Flyers (0-1-0) and the Hurricanes (1-0-0) meet at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., with a puck drop at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Philadelphia put up a valiant effort in a 2-1 loss against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers Thursday night. Newly acquired Dan Vladar allowed two goals on 34 shots. After a scoreless first period, Anton Lundell of the Panthers scored a power-play goal, while Noah Cates leveled the score at 1-1 late in the second, with a helper to Tyson Foerster. However, Brad Marchand ruined the upset bid with an even-strength goal early in the third period.
Carolina paddled New Jersey (-170) as a moderate favorite, while taking care of the Over (5.5) in a 6-3 victory. The Hurricanes were tied 2-2 after two periods, but newcomer K'Andre Miller endeared himself to the home crowd with a power-play goal at 10:21 of the third period. It was tied 3-3 at 11:38, before the Canes saw Seth Jarvis scored the game-winning goal, then Jarvo added an empty-net goal for good measure. Eric Robinson also added a late goal, putting a bow on the scoring. Frederik Andersen allowed three goals on 22 shots in the win.
We're likely to get a matchup of Vladar and Andersen again. We should see a much better showing from the Canes' veteran. Back Carolina to get the job done on the puck line, and let's go low on the total, as long as you can get a flat 6, rather than the 5.5 total.
- Hurricanes -1.5 (+102 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Under 6 Goals (-110 at BetMGM)
Don't make any bets on your favorite sports betting apps without first consulting the latest NHL odds.
Montreal Canadiens 
at Chicago Blackhawks 
The Canadiens (1-1-0) and the Blackhawks (0-1-1) meet in an Original Six battle Saturday on NHL Network at 7 p.m. ET.
Chicago swept the season series in 2024-25, with the Blackhawks outscoring the Canadiens 8-5, including a 4-2 victory on Jan. 3 at United Center as a moderate underdog (+130) while the total pushed (6). The underdog has cashed in three straight meetings, and six of the past 10, in the series since March 16, 2019. And, while the Over is 2-0-1 in the past three encounters, the Under is 7-2-1 in the past 10 installments.
Montreal opened the season with a 5-2 loss at Toronto, before posting a 5-1 win against the Red Wings behind Jakub Dobes.
Chicago has been on the short end of a pair of one-goal games, losing 3-2 in Florida on Tuesday, while falling 4-3 in overtime in Boston on Thursday. Spencer Knight was in net against his former team, and he is expected to start Saturday.
Let's back the Blackhawks, as they're a solid value at plus-money in the home opener. Let's go low on the total, too.
- Blackhawks ML (+130 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Under 6.5 Goals (-135 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dallas Stars 
at Colorado Avalanche 
The Stars (1-0-0) and Avalanche (2-0-0) renew acquaintances at Ball Arena in Denver at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Dallas knocked Colorado from the postseason with a seven-game series victory last spring.
The home team won all three games in the regular season in 2024-25, while the Over hit in each of those matchups.
We have powerful offenses on both sides, and Dallas opened with a 5-4 road win over the Winnipeg Jets Thursday as the Over (5.5) cashed. Mikko Rantanen opened with a goal and three points, while Thomas Harley and Roope Hintz each had a pair of assists. Nils Lundqvist also had a goal and an assist, while Jason Robertson notched a power-play goal and a helper.
Colorado opened with a 4-1 road win against Los Angeles behind Scott Wedgewood, as MacKenzie Blackwood remains sidelined. They added a 2-1 win over the Utah Mammoth in the home opener as moderate favorites, too. The Under has cashed in both outings.
We'll avoid playing the total, as the Under is 2-0 in two games for Colorado, while the Over hit in the only game for Dallas. We'll back Jake Oettinger and the Stars on the road, as they have the offense to make life miserable for Wedgewood.
- Stars ML (+115 at Bet365 Sportsbook)
Saturday's Best NHL Parlays
5-Leg NHL Monster Parlay (+3357 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Hurricanes -1.5 (-110) vs. Flyers
- Under 5.5 (+110) - Hurricanes vs. Flyers
- Under 6.5 (-142) - Blackhawks vs. Canadiens
- Blackhawks ML (+130) vs. Canadiens
- Stars ML (+110) at Avalanche
2-Leg NHL Totals Parlay (+257 at FanDuel)
- Under 5.5 (+110) - Hurricanes vs. Flyers
- Under 6.5 (-142) - Blackhawks vs. Canadiens
3-Leg NHL Sides Parlay (+822 at FanDuel)
- Hurricanes -1.5 (-110) vs. Flyers
- Blackhawks ML (+130) vs. Canadiens
- Stars ML (+110) at Avalanche
2-Leg NHL Same-Game Parlay (+267 at FanDuel)
- Under 6.5 (-142) - Blackhawks vs. Canadiens
- Blackhawks ML (+130) vs. Canadiens
