- The 2024-25 NHL season kicks off Tuesday night (Oct. 8)
- We’ve made expert predictions for Bruins vs Panthers and Blackhawks vs Utah
- Read below for the best NHL Opening Night predictions and picks
The new NHL season is upon us, and the opening night slate offers some intriguing matchups. Among the highlights is the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers raising their banner before facing the Boston Bruins, and the debut of the Utah Hockey Club against the Chicago Blackhawks.
We’ve made plays on both the Bruins vs Panthers and Blackhawks vs Utah games. Let’s dive into the opening night NHL odds and offer our expert predictions for Tuesday’s action.
Tuesday NHL Odds – Opening Night
| Game Time (ET) | Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Oct. 8 | BOS Bruins | +1.5 (-180) | O 6 (-102) | +135 |
| 7:30 PM | FLA Panthers | -1.5 (+150) | U 6 (-118) | -155 |
| Game Time (ET) | Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
| Tuesday, Oct. 8 | CHI Blackhawks | +1.5 (-170) | O 6 (-118) | +145 |
| 10:00 PM | UTAH Hockey Club | -1.5 (+145) | U 6 (-122) | -170 |
In the opening night NHL odds, the heaviest moneyline favorite is the Utah Hockey Club (-170) in their debut against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Bruins vs Panthers game and Blackhawks vs Utah matchup each feature game totals of 6.
Odds as of October 8, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Browse the best NHL betting apps for Opening Night.
Bruins vs Panthers Prediction
The Bruins visit the Panthers on Tuesday night in a game that was in jeopardy of being postponed due to hurricanes. As of now, it appears all ships are clear. This is the season opener for both teams, with the Panthers raising their Stanley Cup championship banner before the game.
The Panthers are slight favorites at -155 on the moneyline, with the over/under set at 6. Boston swept the four-game regular season series last year, but Florida won their playoff matchup 4-2.
I tend to like the Under when these two teams match up. However, it’s worth noting recently inked Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman hasn’t been confirmed to start tonight. On the other side, Sergei Bobrovsky is confirmed after posting a .906 save percentage for the Panthers during their Cup run.
Jim Montgomery says Jeremy Swayman is “a possibility” for tomorrow’s season opener 👀 pic.twitter.com/7j4GvfWsCq
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 7, 2024
I lean towards the Under if Swayman is confirmed, due to both goalies being capable. However, I like a few player props for this game, including David Pastrnak over 3.5 shots on goal and Brad Marchand over 0.5 assists.
Pastrnak led the NHL in shot attempts last season and averaged 4.5 shots per game. He cleared 3.5 shots in 67% of games last season and 70% of road games. The 3.5 line offers value compared to his usual 4.5 shot prop.
Marchand, meanwhile, is a skilled veteran entering the final year of his contract. He should be motivated to perform well in the season opener against the team that eliminated the B’s from the 2024 postseason.
Bos-FLA Picks:
- David Pastrnak Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-155 at Bet365)
- Brad Marchand 1+ Assists (+150 at DK)
- Under 6 -118 (if Swayman starts)
Blackhawks vs Utah Prediction
The Utah Hockey Club makes their official franchise debut against the Chicago Blackhawks in the late game tonight. The showdown will be played at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, which will be the team’s first home since relocating from Arizona.
The Delta Center atmosphere should be electric as fans in Utah welcome NHL hockey. I predict the home crowd energy will provide a significant boost for the Utah players and help them win in a rather convincing fashion.
IT’S FINALLY HERE!
Join us for all the inaugural game fun today. 🤩#UtahHC | @Delta pic.twitter.com/xSBc6v3Vc2
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) October 8, 2024
While Utah is a new franchise, their roster largely consists of players from last year’s Arizona Coyotes team, providing some built-in chemistry and continuity. In contrast, Chicago added several new players like Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen, who may need time to gel with their new teammates.
Furthermore, Utah had a strong preseason, going 5-2-0, including two wins over the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche. Chicago, meanwhile, struggled in the preseason with a 1-4-1 record, including surrendering 13 goals in back-to-back games vs Minnesota.
The Blackhawks have Hart Trophy odds contender Connor Bedard leading the offense, but their defense is a major weakness yet again in 2024-25. Look for Utah’s young offensive stars to feast in their first home game at their new arena.
CHI-UTAH Pick:
- Utah Hockey Club -1.5 (+145)
The NHL season is finally upon us, and fans are eagerly anticipating the opening night matchups on Tuesday. Two exciting games are set to take place, with the Boston Bruins facing off against the Florida Panthers and the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Utah Grizzlies.
In the first matchup, the Bruins will be looking to start their season on a high note as they take on the Panthers. The Bruins are coming off a strong season last year, finishing with a record of 33-16-7 and making it to the second round of the playoffs. Led by star players like Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins have a solid roster that is capable of competing with the best teams in the league.
On the other hand, the Panthers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season last year, where they finished with a record of 27-24-6 and missed out on the playoffs. However, the Panthers made some key offseason acquisitions, including signing top free agent defenseman Dougie Hamilton, which should bolster their defense and give them a better chance of competing this season.
In terms of predictions for this matchup, it’s expected to be a close game with both teams having a chance to come out on top. The Bruins have the edge in terms of experience and talent, but the Panthers are a hungry team looking to prove themselves this season. It could come down to which team can capitalize on their scoring chances and play solid defense.
In the second matchup, the Blackhawks will be facing off against the Utah Grizzlies in what should be an intriguing game. The Blackhawks are coming off a disappointing season last year, finishing with a record of 24-25-7 and missing out on the playoffs. However, they have a young and talented roster led by players like Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach, who have the potential to make a big impact this season.
On the other hand, the Utah Grizzlies are a relatively new team in the league, having just been established last year. They had a solid inaugural season, finishing with a record of 20-30-4 and showing promise for the future. The Grizzlies have some talented young players on their roster, including top prospect Cole Caufield, who could make a big impact in his rookie season.
Predicting this matchup is a bit more difficult given the relative unknowns surrounding both teams. The Blackhawks have more experience and talent on their roster, but the Grizzlies are a young and hungry team looking to make a statement. It could come down to which team can execute their game plan better and take advantage of their opportunities.
Overall, both matchups on Tuesday’s opening night promise to be exciting and competitive games. Fans can expect to see some great hockey action as these teams battle it out to start their seasons on a positive note. It will be interesting to see how these games unfold and which teams come out on top in the end.