NHL Best Bets Tomorrow: Saturday 13-Game Slate Preview (Oct 3)

Editor's note: This is an informational article. Official Saint Picks predictions are published separately in the Picks section.

The NHL drops a 13-game Saturday slate on October 3, 2026, in the opening week of the 2026-27 season. Confirmed start times include Canadiens vs Penguins at 7:00 p.m. ET, Kraken at 7:00 p.m. ET (NHL Network), Stars at 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+), Blues at 9:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+) and Kings at 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+).

NHL Best Bets Market Analysis (Oct 3)

Opening week has already delivered goals. The Mammoth, Avalanche and Penguins all opened with statement wins, and early-season hockey traditionally produces higher totals while goalies and systems settle in. Both the Canadiens and Penguins opened 1-0 — Pittsburgh with a +7 goal differential — setting up an interesting 7:00 p.m. ET clash in Montreal.

The key scheduling angle: Dallas played Friday night in St. Louis (9:00 p.m. ET) and is back on the ice Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET — a back-to-back spot where goalie rotation and tired legs matter. Stanley Cup futures still have the Panthers (+600), Avalanche (+750) and Hurricanes (+800) at the top of the board.

Key stats to watch: back-to-back teams in early October often rotate goalies — check confirmed starters before betting; home teams and totals of 6+ goals have been a theme of week one.

Best Bets to Watch (Informational)

These are informational betting angles for educational purposes only. They are NOT official Saint Picks picks — official predictions are published separately in the Picks section.

1. Stars back-to-back spot — Dallas plays its second game in 24 hours on Saturday. Research angle: wait for the confirmed starting goalie and check the moneyline movement before puck drop.

2. Canadiens vs Penguins (7:00 p.m. ET) — Both teams opened with wins and Pittsburgh's attack looked explosive. Research angle: compare the total-goals line across books; early-season meetings between high-scoring teams are worth studying for over angles.

3. Early-season overs — Week one has produced several high-scoring games. Research angle: on totals of 6 or higher, check each team's opening-week goals-per-game before deciding.

Track the Slate

If you follow Saturday's games, log your stakes, record the closing odds and track your ROI with the Saint Picks Bankroll Tracker. Always play responsibly — this article is for information only, not betting advice. 18+.