Welcome to another season of NHL DFS! For those of you who are new, thank you for being here! You won’t find a better community. If you’re returning, you already know the routine. Nothing has changed from last season, so get ready for another year of Best Bets, DFS recommendations, and the unpredictable nature of goalies.

Before we dive into the fun, I want to remind everyone that the start of the season is often very volatile. We’ll be using last season's data, and not everything will translate perfectly to the 2026-27 season (unless we’re talking about Edmonton’s goaltending situation being #NotGood, which remains consistent). Be cautious with your bankroll in the first week of action. We have an entire year ahead of us, so let’s take it slow and build up to something great, like prom night. Keep units small so your wins can grow as the season progresses.

If you’re looking for wagers from everyone on the NHL team, you can find them here, on the NHL Bet Tracker.

Dominate your NHL DFS contests today with our DFS Playbook,  Player Projections, & Lineup Generator .

Follow me on Twitter @fuzzychris91

  • 2025-26 Season Record: 61-70
  • 2025-26 Season Bankroll: -8.22 Units

 🏒NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/01

🔥 Seattle Kraken vs Calgary Flames Prediction

The Calgary Flames are going to be a very bad team this season. Their offence was horrendous last season, and nothing much changed over the summer to improve. Their defence, on paper, is good enough to compete, but we’ll have to see it in live action. Dustin Wolf is hoping to rebound and get back to form, and he can start tonight.

Seattle is kinda built like Calgary, but their goaltending remains a question mark. They struggled on the road last season, while the Flames put together some solid performances. It’ll be hard to trust Calgary when they are in action, but tonight there’s enough value to target the Money Line. 

🔥 Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction

It took one game for the Edmonton Oilers to remind everyone that their goaltending issues still persist. Tristan Jarry allowed six goals, and the Oilers lost their home opener 6-5 in overtime. The two teams meet again tonight, and we can expect a very different performance from the Oilers.

Vancouver is not a strong team, and their offence can explode on many nights. We are likely to see Devon Levi, who was acquired from Buffalo in the offseason. This will be an opportunity for him to show the organization he is ready to take the next step in his career.

The Canucks struggled on home ice last season, and it's hard to envision that changing this year. Kevin Lankinen is expected to get his second start, and he posted a disappointing 4-17-2 record at home in 2025-26. I expect the Oilers to win convincingly and cover the puck line.

 

 

 

🏒Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks

🏅Goalie of the Day: Dustin Wolf - CGY

I know it’s hard to trust the Flames, especially this early in the season, but Dustin Wolf is a fantastic play at his price point. He was good on home ice last season, sporting a 2.41 GAA and a .914 SV%. The Kraken aren’t exactly dangerous up front, so if Calgary comes away with a win and Wolf keeps the goals against to a minimum, he will exceed value. That’s good enough for me.

🏅Honourable Mention: Jake Allen - NJ

It's a new season, and Jake Allen remains a notable player. The veteran goaltender is expected to start for the Devils, though it’s unclear how long he will hold that spot. One thing is clear: his matchup tonight looks promising.

The Flyers are playing their second game in as many nights and are coming off a 7-0 defeat against their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. We can expect an improved performance tonight, but it may not be enough for a win. Was last season just a fluke? It’s too early to tell, but securing their first win of the season tonight seems unlikely.

Allen's salary is over $8,000 on DraftKings, but if you believe he can secure a win, his performance may be worth the investment.

🏅Skater of the Day: Connor McDavid - EDM

Do you think I’m going to bet against Connor McDavid tonight? Not a chance. He’s the best player in the world, and he will finish with multiple points. Even his $9K price tag on DK is very soft considering he should be closer to $10K. I know he’s going to be chalk, and for good reason, but I’m not willing going to fade him in cash games.

🏅Honourable Mention: Evan Bouchard - EDM

Many of us in the hockey community can debate whether Evan Bouchard is a good defenseman, but we can all agree that he poses an offensive threat. In game one, he recorded three goals, two assists, six shots, and three blocks, completely dominating the opening-night slate. Am I expecting him to replicate that performance tonight? No, but I do believe he can still be productive against a struggling Canucks team. If you're considering spending on a defenseman, he is the top choice.

🏅Value Play of the Day: Anthony Mantha - NJ

After resurrecting his career in Pittsburgh with a 33-goal, 65-point season, Anthony Mantha looks set for another productive season with the Devils. He’s older, but Mantha has always found the back of the net, and he’ll get a look on the top line with Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes. He isn’t on the top power-play unit, which limits his value, but he’ll get decent ice time alongside two elite offensive forwards. He’s a great bargain option for GPPs, either as part of a stack or as a single-bullet. 

🏅Top Stack of the Day: Edmonton PP1

You have many avenues to take with stacks tonight, but the most expensive options may offer the best value. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard are the focal points of Edmonton’s top power-play unit, and they can produce. Even at their current price tag, you need about 12 fantasy points per play to hit value, which is quite doable for all three. Heck, Bouchard had over 40 all by himself on Tuesday! It’s a chalk stack, but I don’t want to miss out if these three go off.

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Player Pool

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Stacks

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