The Edmonton Oilers are favorites to lead in individual goals and points for October. However, the Minnesota Wild, despite several injuries, may have the player to lead the way in both instead.
We have gone even further than season specials. Now, there are October bets just for this month. Most teams play at least 10 games and quite a few play more than that. The fun part is the season just gets started and there are so many good matchups. Do not fret. Next week we will have some of our best matchups to bet on.
The 2025-2026 NHL season kicks off on October 7, 2025, with three games: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers, and Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings. This year will get off to an incredible start. All 32 teams face off on October 11th and 28th. Those will be nights like no other. Staggered starts and tons of hockey. What could be better?
Do examine all our Las Vegas Stanley Cup odds for 2025-26. Now, let us lead the way with some 2025-26 NHL October Bets. These wagers are only for the month. The table below will focus on most goals and points for the tenth month of 2025.
| NHL October Bets | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leading Goal Scorer | |||
| Leon Draisaitl | +500 | +450 | +475 |
| Kirill Kaprizov | +650 | +675 | +700 |
| Auston Matthews | +900 | +850 | +800 |
| Connor McDavid | +1600 | +1500 | +1400 |
| William Nylander | +1800 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +1800 | +1800 | +1600 |
| Leading Points Scorer | |||
| Connor McDavid | +370 | +350 | +350 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +600 | +600 | +575 |
| Leon Draisaitl | +800 | +750 | +800 |
| David Pastrnak | +800 | +750 | +850 |
| Nikita Kucherov | +900 | +850 | +850 |
| Kirill Kaprizov | +900 | +900 | +900 |
NHL October Bets lead off with most goals by a player. Focusing on the entire season was not enough. At Vegas Betting, we upped the ante with month picks. Does one think Alexander Ovechkin will lead the league in goals for the month? Ovechkin is a +3500 longer shot by the way. Naturally, Leon Draisaitl is the favorite at around +500. After all, last year he led the NHL with 52 goals (in 71 games).
This season could be a little different as some believe the scoring may be a little more spread around in Edmonton. With some younger prospects and questions in goal (Edmonton has three NHL caliber goalies now), it should be quite the October.
The big worry for those eyeing the Oilers is the power play which had dropped from otherworldly to just good. Most teams would take good but Edmonton needs all the goals they can muster. Draisiatl scored 32 power play goals just two seasons ago. Last year, that number went down to 16. This sets up the table for our Minnesota surprise.
The Wild are one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference. With Kirill Kaprizov signing that huge eight year deal, he may overdo it and try to score every chance he gets early. That allows us to take a risk with the Russian.
The NHL October Bets focus on October points next. Like we mentioned above, there are lots of chances for players to get off to a great start. One of them is Kirill Kaprizov again. The Russian was scoring at a fever pitch last year before injuries took their toll. He missed half a season in all but honestly the winger was probably only 100% for a little over a third of the 2024-25 NHL campaign.
During the summer, Kaprizov made it his personal mission to get in better shape. Do not be led astray by a minor eye infection, the all-world forward is raring to go in 2025-26. Kaprizov was on pace for a career high 112 points last season. He had 108 in 2021-22. No one would be surprised if he comes close or exceeds that total. A vital key would be a hot October.
As tempting as Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl is for points, it may be worth looking at Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon felt snake bitten often last year. He missed a lot more opportunities than he is accustomed to. In a previous article, we felt he could lead the league in shots and come close to leading in points.
Alas, there is always that one player who gets off to the ridiculous start no one sees coming. This season we might see Kaprizov coming a little better. He had 18 points in only nine games last October.
Yes, NHL October Specials next look at most team points. As everyone knows, teams love getting off to hot starts given the legend of teams typically making the playoffs after being in a playoff spot come American Thanksgiving. October typically has less time off this month than usual. Partially that is due to the Olympic Break coming up in February.
With the injuries to Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, Florida’s chances are almost zero here. Edmonton is yet again a favorite in this category too. Now, Edmonton needs to figure out how to get off to a really good start. Their schedule is not all that easy. Minnesota is a decent wager at +1300 compared to the Oilers at +700. Carolina, by contrast, only plays 11 games, is at +5000, and that may be because their second half of the month is tough!
After winning the Metropolitan Division in 2024-25, Washington is expected not to start off like last year. The New Jersey Devils are not completely healthy and Luke Hughes needs to get in shape for starters. Could the New York Rangers surprise people early? Anything is possible but they do the “Northwest Passage” road trip at the end of the month.
So, who is left? It may come down to Minnesota or Vegas. Both teams have easier schedules for the most part. However, Minnesota plays 12 games and is up there in contention. Then again, Colorado is somehow only +800 despite opening up on a three-game road trip. Okay, we will take a chance on the Wild to get off to another hot October.
Before making any bets, check out the current NHL online Vegas odds. You definitely always be mindful of the latest Vegas betting site bonuses too.
Chris Wassel is someone who has covered a little bit of everything: business, writing, sports, food, grilling, the Olympics, injuries, politics, and more. He has climbed mountains like Mount Washington and Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California, and for those who don’t know, he is also big into food challenges. With friends like Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has tackled eating feats like finishing a 16-pound turkey or a 32-inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, he has focused on fitness, fishing, and sports while managing to fit in running, hiking, rock climbing, and even the occasional mini-triathlon. He can lift more than his body weight with ease and is the person you turn to when you want to know if a NASCAR rain delay means a Monday race. Over his career, Chris has worked at places like Amazon, USA Today, and various rumors and fantasy sports sites. He has been nominated for awards such as the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hockey Writer of the Year and has a collection of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings on display at home. With all this, Chris sums it up best with his motto: "Shut up and play."