NHL Odds: Preseason betting guide, trends and schedule
The summer has come and gone, and it is time for the NHL to get things rolling once again. The Florida Panthers’ busy summer after their Stanley Cup celebration turns into 32 teams starting from square one as they all try to earn the trophy.
We are here to get you set for the upcoming NHL preseason. Each NHL team will play six games in this preseason from Sept. 20 to Oct. 4. There is a lot to talk about, and the action is just around the corner.
Don’t forget to check out our complete list of NHL game odds and NHL futures.
When is the NHL Preseason, and what are some of the key matchups?
The NHL preseason kicks off Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. ET when the Dallas Stars host the St. Louis Blues. The preseason runs from that night until a preseason finale between the San Jose Sharks and Utah Mammoth on Oct. 4 at 9 p.m. ET.
Here are just some NHL preseason matchups to look forward to that should bring great action:
- Sept. 20 @ 7 p.m. ET: St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars
- Sept. 21 @, 3 p.m. ET: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
- Sept. 21 @ 4:30 p.m. ET: Colorado Avalanche vs. Utah Mammoth
- Sept. 23 @ 10 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Sept. 25 @ 7 p.m. ET: New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers
- Sept. 29 @ 6 p.m. ET: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
- Oct. 3 @ 10 p.m. ET: Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks
NHL Preseason storylines: Connor McDavid’s contract and new names in new places
Connor McDavid is easily the best player in the entire NHL, so anything involving him is a storyline. However, stress is on the rise for the city of Edmonton as McDavid has been eligible to sign his new contract since July 1, 2025.
Heading into his final year in the current deal, this preseason kicks off what could potentially be McDavid’s last kick at the can in Edmonton if he decides to sign elsewhere this upcoming July.
As usual, there have been a plethora of players on the move this offseason. The big splash was Mitch Marner, who officially left his childhood team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, signing with the powerhouse Vegas Golden Knights. It will be interesting to see the impact he can make on an already stacked squad.
In addition to Marner, there is the return of Jonathan Toews, who has signed with the Winnipeg Jets and is returning to the NHL for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
Nikolaj Ehlers (Hurricanes), Noah Dobson (Canadiens), and John Gibson (Red Wings) are other names in a new uniform.
NHL Preseason trends to note
The preseason is a fun time of the year as teams and players ramp up for the upcoming season, and things can be interesting betting-wise.
Preseason is a time for young rookies hitting the ice, veterans trying to prove they still have it, and a total roster mashup. In turn, it can be tough to read each team.
To illustrate this, the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Hockey Club combined for a 10-3-0 record in the preseason, and they both missed the playoffs in the regular season.
Star players will be in and out of the lineup, but don’t expect a lot of ice for these guys, as the main focus is preparation. This also includes goaltenders, as the starter may only play half of the game.
Keep an eye out for these things when betting on the NHL preseason, and see if you can hit on some sneaky value.
