NHL: Best Bets Today — Blue Jackets to Bounce Back to Form?
Friday night action in the NHL is set for this week, with four games being played across the conferences. The Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets collide at the Canada Life Centre, while the Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings could play out a high-scoring thriller. You can find our main selections and NHL best bets for today on Oct 9, 2026, here.
NHL Best Bets Today & Top Value Picks
- Best Pick: Winnipeg Jets (vs. Anaheim Ducks)
- Best Value: Detroit Red Wings vs. Seattle Kraken (Under 6.00 Goals)
- Team to Fade: Pittsburgh Penguins (vs. Columbus Blue Jackets)
- Best NHL Parlay Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets & Detroit Red Wings All to Win
ALSO SEE: Breeders’ Cup Classic Picks, Odds, Leading Contenders, Betting Insights & Analysis
NHL Best Bets Today: Key Game Breakdown & Predictions
Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks Prediction & Odds
Date: Friday, October 9 | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg
Game Preview
Confidence should be high within the Winnipeg Jets camp following an excellent 3-2 home win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The Jets have now gone 3-0-1 in the early weeks of the season, showing a high quality of offensive output in their games at the Canada Life Centre.
In contrast, the Ducks will be on a recovery mission on Friday, following a heavy 5-2 home loss against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. The top-line depth and physicality of the Jets could prove crucial in maintaining their reliable form at the start of the new NHL season.
- Best Bet: Winnipeg Jets
Detroit Red Wings vs. Seattle Kraken Prediction & Odds
Date: Friday, October 9 | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Game Preview
An interesting clash is set for Little Caesars Arena on Friday, as the misfiring Seattle Kraken travel to the Detroit Red Wings. The Kraken have suffered defeats in two of their previous three, allowing an eye-watering ten goals over the same period. A midweek loss against the Vegas Golden Knights will likely impact confidence levels ahead of this road clash.
The Red Wings ended a two-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators earlier this week. However, the value could be in a low-scoring clash, with both Seattle and Detroit prioritizing low-risk zone exits and active stick defending.
- Best Bet: Under 6.0 Goals
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction & Odds
Date: Friday, October 9 | Nationwide Arena, Columbus
Game Preview
It has been a slightly underwhelming start to the new season by the Pittsburgh Penguins, having gone 2-2-0 across their opening four. They looked defensively vulnerable in a recent 5-3 road loss against the Washington Capitals.
The Blue Jackets were 6-3 winners on opening night at Nationwide Arena last week, before they were easily beaten by the Utah Mammoth last weekend. They will be well-rested following that defeat, ensuring that the Blue Jackets will be an interesting value play against a fatigued opponent.
- Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets
How to Bet On NHL Today
These are the best sportsbooks for U.S. bettors to place wagers on the NHL today:
