NHL Betting Odds and Predictions on Opening Night
By Jim Lynch
The NHL is back for another season! After a long offseason that saw some major moves around the NHL, the time has come to start the 2022-23 NHL season officially. A great night of hockey is on the way to kick things off!
The NHL has two games tonight on ESPN. While the league started play on Friday when the Nashville Predators played the San Jose Sharks overseas, tonight is the season’s official start.
All season long we will be highlighting some betting odds and predictions for matchups each night, so let’s get things started with the opening night games!
NHL Betting Odds and Predictions on Opening Night
The night’s first game is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Final from last year. A matchup that was electric to watch from start to finish. The Rangers and Lightning’s rosters are set including one big addition by the Rangers just a few days ago.
The road to the Stanley Cup Playoffs starts tonight, so let’s dive in with the betting odds!
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers
0-0-0. Tuesday, Oct. 11. 95. . 23. ESPN. 0-0-0. 7:30 PM ET
Betting Odds
Spread: -1.5 (NYR)
Moneyline: NYR -118 TBL -102
Total: Over/Under 5.5
The Rangers are favored in this matchup, but the margin is close on the moneyline. There are arguments to be made for both teams, the Lightning are fresh off a defeat in the Stanley Cup Final and have to be hungry to start the season on the right note. The Rangers on the other hand wouldn’t mind beating the team that knocked them out from last season. With two stellar goaltenders, the only bet I would make would have to be the under 5.5 goals scored, but then again that is just my opinion.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
The NHL really is giving fans a treat with their first night of hockey on national TV. Not only are we getting a rematch of the Eastern Conference Final from last season, but we are getting a big rivalry night in the west.
The Vegas Golden Knights and LA Kings are two teams with playoff aspirations. LA made the jump to the playoffs last year and are not willing to give up their spot just yet, whereas the Golden Knights are hoping to get back in despite injury issues.
One player I am really excited to see in this game has to be Phil Kessel, who joined the Golden Knights this offseason from Arizona and has already been impressive in the preseason.
10 PM ET. 0-0-0. 67. 0-0-0. . 942. ESPN. Tuesday, Oct. 11
Betting Odds
Spread: -1.5 (LAK)
Moneyline: LAK -120 TBL +100
Total: Over/Under 6
This is another great game fans will want to tune into. The Kings were one of the breakout teams of 2021-22, and now they are trying to improve off of that this upcoming season. With the Golden Knights shaky goaltending, favoring the Kings in this matchup seems like the right move.
(Betting Odds from FanDuel)
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.