NHL Betting News This Week | NHL Gets Underway | October 2026

Chris Wasselby Chris Wassel
Updated: October 1, 2026

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Wilderness time is over! Yes, the 2026-27 NHL season has begun. The silly season saw plenty of money spent, some trades, and an extension or two. This time of year builds quickly as action and chaos reign supreme. With updated numbers, game odds, and injuries, we have plenty to talk about along with a futures update or several.

Who is getting off to a good or bad start? Carolina appears poised to defend its crown. Colorado and Edmonton think they can outscore their problems. Florida may have just taken a huge hit. If that is not enough, there is that whole 84-game schedule to consider for 2026-27. Also, who took some steps back and forward? These are excellent questions.

Anyway, there are always Stanley Cup odds to consider. That sounds like enough excitement to go diving right in!

Before we check on even more NHL betting news and betting trends, we serve up top-flight NHL betting news and analysis. So, do check out the best NHL betting sites for 2026-27 and explore all the Stanley Cup online betting resources.

NHL betting storylines breakdown

Scroll below to find the latest NHL storylines and betting opportunities on the following topics:

  1. We lead with the start of the 2026-27 NHL season. Naturally, this made too much sense.
  2. Will Detroit get its mess straightened out soon? We see what is going on with the Red Wings.
  3. Toronto makes a splash in acquiring Kirill Marchenko. Hey, the Maple Leafs made a move.
  4. Injury season has ramped up. All sorts of maladies are happening in the first week.
  5. Let us spotlight Futures types. Hey, futures are fun and we serve up more.
  6. The Team Points are here to stay. The NHL point totals have come out for bettors.
  7. 2026-27 NHL games to bet on already? Yes, they are out. We point out some things to be mindful of.

We lead with the start of the 2026-2027 season

Anyone who is anyone smiled when the start of the 2026-27 season came. Yes, opening night was quite an experience with a total of five games. The Carolina Hurricanes had their banner raising after winning the Stanley Cup in June. Many were wondering how they would fare against Florida. It was a tough-nosed affair with the Panthers pulling out a 1-0 win in overtime. The contest featured quite a few quality scoring chances.

Carolina knows how difficult it is to defend the championship. The Hurricanes will not have an easy time contending in the East, but when healthy they remain one of the best teams. Even the Florida Panthers came out early to watch Carolina’s banner raising.

So, opening night did tell us a lot. For one, the most obvious thing was that Edmonton is not going to be dull this season. Their offense is well documented. Goaltending could be another issue with Frederik Andersen out for the rest of 2026. Then again, Devon Levi might eventually be the answer. Either way, goals will need to come in bunches from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Wednesday saw a team like Philadelphia lay an absolute egg at home! Furthermore, teams like Chicago, Calgary, and Vancouver are very much rebuilding. These will be teams that bettors pick against often but could even have some value at times. Anyway, Thursday saw New Jersey defend its home ice while Igor Shesterkin (the NY Rangers goaltender) scored a goal. Just think, we have only begun.

What the heck is going on in Detroit?

So, the Detroit Red Wings entered October in even further chaos. Shawn Horcoff is now upstairs and was named the Interim General Manager in September. Meanwhile, Dylan Larkin keeps reiterating his trade request (supposedly eight teams). He is not budging all while battling some upper body injury. Larkin is expected to miss at least the first two games of the regular season.

Detroit opened their season on Friday against the New York Rangers. Unfortunately, one other notable player is missing and that would be Simon Edvinsson. The Swedish defenseman is training with Frolunda while he awaits offers on a new contract. His holdout continues with an end seemingly nowhere near.

Now, for Detroit and any betting chances, the Red Wings have actually become a worse team. Detroit feels like it is trying to patch holes and say all is well. Considering the games now count, Detroit is losing time here. If there is a plan, no one outside of the organization seems to have a clue what that plan is. Closure for Larkin and Edvinsson, one way or another, will hopefully give bettors clarity.

With Detroit being projected at or near the bottom of the East, maybe Detroit for not making the playoffs (-350) is a lock. The Red Wings are still +15000 to win the Stanley Cup and a conference worst +250 to make the playoffs in the East. Detroit’s over/under of 86.5 points may lean even more to the under. It may be time to act before the point total drops at sportsbooks.

Toronto acquires Kirill Marchenko and extends him

Kirill Marchenko and Matthew Knies linked in trade rumors had happened several times before even just earlier in the summer. It felt like a deal was close and yet so far. However, a move finally occurred on the final Friday of September. A six-player deal sent Knies to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Marchenko to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Knies had five seasons to go on his deal worth $7.75 million AAV. Marchenko subsequently was extended for six seasons at $12.5 million AAV.

While Toronto and Columbus both appear on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, the two teams felt like a move was needed. Don Waddell and Columbus were backed into a corner with Marchenko and Waddell pushed back wanting NHL-caliber players. Meanwhile, Toronto had been rumored several times to have moved Knies so they finally reached the point of no return.

While it is nice that the trade is finally made, Toronto added a little depth with Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins may or may not ever play in Toronto (partially due to injury). Again, Columbus received three NHL players and even a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick. The Blue Jackets feel like they have moved on and their season opener hinted at an exhaling of sorts (6-3 win).

Clearly, the pressure is on Toronto to end that Stanley Cup drought. The Maple Leafs may still have a goaltending controversy if Anthony Stolarz gets back to form. Sergei Bobrovsky felt like a stopgap move. MTS will keep an eye on these two franchises throughout the season.

The Injuries are piling up already

The one thing that can derail a bettor, besides a bad beat, is injuries especially when it comes to hockey. Early in the season, all it takes is one unfortunate break to alter several wagers and worse. It is only the first week of October and there are a pile of maladies as team MASH units are mounting. While we cannot list all the injuries at MTS, some of the ones that can be considered impactful are below.

Aleksander Barkov leads the way with a leg injury suffered during Thursday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks. San Jose prioritized Barkov as a target to attack. The Florida captain was slashed, cross-checked, and marked by the Sharks early and often. Unfortunately, his left leg buckled during the second period in a way that concerned bettors, fans, and even the media.

Barkov will miss time and the question is how much. Stay tuned as we update this on social media. Florida lost a ton of man games to injury last year and it seems 2026-27 is starting off the same way. He is one of more than 80 NHL players currently on the injury list. Some surprising news is never pleasant. Look at Brock Faber of Minnesota. In the last preseason game, he fractured his skull and needed surgery.

Add in a few contract holdouts like Alexander Nikishin and Connor Hellebuyck and even they become injury risks once their holdouts do end. Honestly, a holdout and an injury are basically the same. These players are not playing. Watch Hellebuyck’s goalie wins prop to see if and when this trends downward.

If that was not enough, Vancouver dealt out the news that Thatcher Demko will be out several months and maybe more with persistent hip issues. Hips are crucial to a goaltender and Demko may have to retire one day because of the injury. The Canucks expected to be near the bottom of the standings but this news cemented it.

Futures options always are out there

Now, the NHL Futures gain full steam as more and more futures are out there. If one was hoping for any substantial change in the Stanley Cup Futures, we say to wait. More movement could come depending on the Barkov and Hellebuyck news.

Okay, what futures are out there? Officially, the traditional team, player, and awards futures are front and center. After that, Stanley Cup Specials and even Conference Specials are at a bettor’s disposal. For those wondering, even the stage of playoff elimination is an option.

The player futures include props for points, goals, assists, and more. From the team perspective, there are options for team points and most team points. Do take a look at the number of games and each team’s schedule before considering any of these specials.

NHL bettors and team points

Again, the NHL plays 84 games. Rest days are fewer and far between. Fortunately, this season does not feature an Olympic year so the chances of man games lost being at quite the same level as 2025-26 are thankfully lower.

Yes, there are always some numbers to monitor. September saw us spotlight the Detroit Under 86.5 points and Winnipeg Under 84.5 points.  Columbus Under 92.5 points may still be plus money in some circles (+110 to Even currently). Florida has been temporarily taken off some boards and that is not a surprise given last year’s injury history.

NHL games to bet on this and next week

The NHL season is underway and yet there are select NHL games to bet on for this and next week. Props open up for gameday. Select contests are available up until October 10th. Bettors will notice that this window shrinks sometimes during the opening month.

With Barkov sidelined, Florida’s early-season form remains worth monitoring. Carolina and Montreal on Tuesday, October 6, is another matchup to watch. There could be quite a few goals as Montreal plays a more open style, especially at home.

One of the biggest pieces of advice we can give early on is this. Shape up your strategy. October features unexpected results so do not get too high or low on them. Also, watch out for those back-to-back scenarios in the first month. Rust and rest go hand-in-hand.

The 2026-27 campaign is expected to bring many new opportunities. MTS will keep you covered and ready to go!

Previous betting news updates

  • [September 2026]: The 2026-27 season approaches as NHL training camps get ready along with the usual news.
  • [August 2026]: Free agent fallout and new numbers as most anyone NHL went on summer vacation.
  • [July 2026]: Free agent frenzy was indeed bananas as NHL rosters start to take shape.
  • [June 2026]: Carolina wins the Stanley Cup and now the NHL Draft and Free Agency approach.
  • [June 2026]: Vegas and Carolina in middle of Stanley Cup along with draft and free agency talk.
  • [June 2026]: Vegas and Carolina battle onward for the Stanley Cup as the offseason draws closer.
  • [May 2026]: Vegas and Carolina favorites with IIHF World Championships well underway.
  • [May 2026]: Vegas is on the verge of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final while Montreal and Carolina continue to battle.
  • [May 2026]: Carolina still waiting with Colorado on the verge of advancing all while Montreal and Vegas in longer series.

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Chris Wassel

Chris Wassel is a veteran sports writer, editor, and betting analyst with nearly three decades of experience covering sports, fantasy sports, and wagering. A longtime member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA), the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA), and several sports betting communities, Chris has built a reputation for combining d...

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