NHL Opening Night 2024 Predictions, Odds & Picks (10/8)

Although the 2024-25 NHL season technically began in Czechia over the weekend, the full schedule officially begins on Tuesday. It’s been a long time since NHL enthusiasts have been craving some meaningful hockey games and the action starts with the following three opening night matchups:

• St. Louis Blues vs. Seattle Kraken — 4:30 p.m. ET
• Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers — 7 p.m. ET
• Chicago Blackhawks vs. Utah Hockey Club — 10 p.m. ET

These matchups feature plenty of attractive betting options for novice and expert bettors alike and your friends at Betting News are here to help you get in on the action.

Here’s a look at the latest NHL Opening Night odds, as well as predictions and picks for all three games.

2024-25 NHL Game Predictions: 1-0-0 (100%)

2024-25 NHL Best Bet Record: 0-1-0 (0%)

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NHL Opening Night 2024 Odds & Predictions (10/8)

NHL odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10:10 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Blues vs Kraken Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Matchup: St. Louis Blues (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Away) vs. Seattle Kraken (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Home)
• Venue & Location: Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, WA)
• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
• Game Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Blues vs. Kraken: ESPN, ESPN+

Blues vs Kraken Puck Line

• St. Louis Blues +1.5 (-208)
• Seattle Kraken -1.5 (+178)

Kraken vs Blues Over/Under

• Over 5.5 Goals (-130)
• Under 5.5 Goals (+113)

Blues vs Kraken Moneyline

• St. Louis Blues (+130)
• Seattle Kraken (-146)

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The St. Louis Blues’ 2023-24 season was a mixed bag. While they improved on the previous year’s performance with a 43-33-6 record, they missed out on the playoffs by six points. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken finished fifth in the Pacific Division with a 34-35-13 record, missing the postseason for the second time in three years.

Even though the Kraken hold the home-ice advantage, I’m inclined to lean with the Blues here. Not only were they the better team last season, but the Blues are also 5-1 SU in their last six season openers as the road underdog and have won seven of their nine all-time meetings with the Kraken.

As for the best bet, I’m taking Robert Thomas to record at least one assist (+100). In his last eight games against the Kraken, Thomas has racked up six assists and tallied at least an assist in three of his four career trips to Seattle. Look for Thomas to set up a teammate or two in a game where the Over is favored on the 5.5-goal total.

Blues vs. Kraken NHL Opening Night Prediction: STL wins

Best Blues vs. Kraken Bet: Robert Thomas 1+ Assist (+100)

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Bruins vs Panthers Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Matchup: Boston Bruins (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Away) vs. Florida Panthers (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Home)
• Venue & Location: Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, FL)
• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
• Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Bruins vs. Panthers: ESPN, ESPN+

Bruins vs Panthers Puck Line

• Boston Bruins +1.5 (-195)
• Florida Panthers -1.5 (+170)

Panthers vs Bruins Over/Under

• Over 5.5 Goals (-111)
• Under 5.5 Goals (-105)

Bruins vs Panthers Moneyline

• Boston Bruins (+133)
• Florida Panthers (-149)

These Atlantic Division rivals will resume their rivalry after colliding during the latest postseason. It took the Florida Panthers six games to eliminate the Boston Bruins in their second-round playoff series before going on to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

The Panthers will be celebrating their win tonight, which should motivate them enough to beat the Bruins. I also don’t see Boston pulling off an upset given that starting goaltender Jeremy Swayman skipped to preseason due to a contract holdout. If he can’t play, the Bruins will start offseason acquisition Joonas Korpisalo, who doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence.

Even if I’m predicting the Bruins to lose, I still like the idea of Brad Marchand recording at least one point (-124). For starters, Marchand was solid last season, tallying 67 points in 82 regular season games before adding 10 points in 11 playoff appearances. He also has 15 points in his last 15 encounters with the Panthers and was only held pointless in four of those matchups.

Bruins vs. Panthers NHL Opening Night Prediction: FLA wins

Best Bruins vs. Panthers Bet: Brad Marchand 1+ Point (-124)

Blackhawks vs Utah Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Matchup: Chicago Blackhawks (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Away) vs. Utah Hockey Club (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Home)
• Venue & Location: Delta Center (Salt Lake City, UT)
• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
• Game Time: 10 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Blackhawks vs. Utah: ESPN, ESPN+

Blackhawks vs Utah Puck Line

• Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 (-175)
• Utah Hockey Club -1.5 (+155)

Utah vs Blackhawks Over/Under

• Over 6 Goals (-117)
• Under 6 Goals (+101)

Blackhawks vs Utah Moneyline

• Chicago Blackhawks (+142)
• Utah Hockey Club (-159)

The Chicago Blackhawks were, once again, one of the NHL’s worst clubs last season as it finished at the bottom of the Central Division with a 23-53-6 record. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club are ready for their inaugural season after the Arizona Coyotes went 36-41-5 before being relocated to Salt Lake City over the summer.

The Blackhawks have a bright future, however, their roster is still lacking and chances are that they’ll be basement-dwellers again this season. Utah is far from perfect, however, it boasts more NHL-caliber players and should be pushing for a postseason spot come April.

As for the best bet, let’s go big with a Clayton Keller anytime goal (+120). Keller, who was named Utah’s captain last week, will be looking to lead by example in the home opener. The veteran forward has scored 30-plus goals in back-to-back seasons and has found the back of the net 10 times in 18 career games against the Blackhawks. That includes when he had a two-goal performance in the last meeting back in March.

Blackhawks vs. Utah NHL Opening Night Prediction: UTAH wins

Best Blackhawks vs. Utah Bet: Clayton Keller Anytime Goal (+120)

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