Expert NHL Player Prop Bets for the 2025-26 Season

Nathan MacKinnon: Most Regular Season Shots on Goal (+350)

Historically, the race for the most shots on goal has been dominated by two players: MacKinnon and David Pastrnak, with the rest of the league trailing behind. Last season, MacKinnon recorded 320 shots in three fewer games compared to Pastrnak`s 319. The season before that, MacKinnon again led with 405 shots against Pastrnak`s 382. Pastrnak last surpassed the Avalanche center in total shots during the 2022-23 season, but even then, MacKinnon`s per-game average of 5.15 shots outperformed Pastrnak`s 4.96, despite playing alongside Patrice Bergeron. Given these trends, MacKinnon remains the favored pick for this category.

Jack Hughes: Total Points Over 84.5 (-110)

This bet hinges purely on Jack Hughes`s health. A fully fit Hughes is capable of hitting close to 100 points over an entire season. In 2022-23, he registered 99 points in 78 games as a young 21/22-year-old. Over his subsequent two injury-affected seasons, he still maintained an impressive 1.16 points per game, a rate surpassed by only nine other NHL players during that span. If he can play around 75-80 games, contributing alongside Jesper Bratt at even strength and Nico Hischier on the Devils` top power play, he is projected to easily exceed the 90-point threshold. Encouragingly, Hughes has made a complete recovery from his severe shoulder surgery last winter. His current motivated, even slightly frustrated, mindset after recent injury woes also bodes well for his performance.

Tage Thompson: Total Goals Over 38.5 (-110)

Tage Thompson scored 44 goals in 76 games last season, a figure the Sabres` premier forward could potentially improve upon, especially now positioned on the wing alongside one of the league`s top two-way centers. While preseason results can be misleading, the emerging chemistry between Thompson, Josh Norris, and Zach Benson is noteworthy. Buffalo`s new top line looks primed for significant offensive output. Even if Norris faces further injury setbacks – a recurring concern for the former Senator – Thompson has demonstrated his ability to produce regardless of his linemates. The 27-year-old possesses the scoring touch of a 50-goal scorer, a milestone he has yet to reach. Therefore, expecting 39 goals seems like a very achievable target.

Cam Talbot: Total Regular-Season Wins Under 20.5 (-115)

It`s important to remember that John Gibson is designated as the primary goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings. After a dozen seasons with Anaheim, Gibson is healthy and eager to start a new phase with his new team. Should Cam Talbot exceed 20 wins, it would most likely be due to a significant injury to Gibson. While Gibson has had a challenging period recently, he is entering the regular season in good physical condition. Furthermore, Talbot achieved precisely 21 wins in 2024-25, despite being the primary starter with 47 appearances. The Red Wings, while competitive, are not currently projected to be a team with a .600% winning record.

Cale Makar: To Score 12-Plus Points in October (-130)

Cale Makar, widely recognized as the league`s most offensively potent defenseman, has a history of strong starts. He accumulated 19 points in 11 games last October, followed by 14 points in his first 11 games the season prior, and 13 points in 11 contests the year before that. The Avalanche are scheduled for twelve games in the opening month of this season. Makar has maintained a point-per-game pace or better every season since his rookie year in 2019-20. While the odds for this bet might not be exceptionally high, it still represents a strong opportunity.

Head-to-Head: Cole Caufield More Goals vs. Wyatt Johnston (-115)

A potential downside for Wyatt Johnston is his role as one of many productive forwards on a deep team, which can sometimes dilute individual scoring opportunities. Conversely, Cole Caufield stands out as the Montreal Canadiens` leading goal-scorer. While Johnston, a talented center for the Stars, might see varied linemates depending on team needs, Caufield is consistently featured on Montreal`s top line and power play alongside Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky, mirroring his deployment from last season. Johnston typically scores between 30-35 goals, whereas Caufield, who netted 37 goals last season, is projected to reach the 40-goal mark.

Head-to-Head: Alex Ovechkin More Points vs. Evgeni Malkin (-115)

This particular head-to-head proposition is somewhat puzzling, as one veteran player appears to have a clear advantage over the other. In the 2024-25 season, Evgeni Malkin recorded 50 points in 68 games, while Alex Ovechkin amassed an impressive 73 points in just 65 games. Even acknowledging Ovechkin`s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky`s all-time goal-scoring record, the point disparity is substantial. Furthermore, the Capitals remain a stronger team, largely retaining the core roster that led them to the top of the Eastern Conference. Malkin, meanwhile, is currently slated to play on a second offensive line with Anthony Mantha and a rookie. Considering these factors, I favor the NHL`s most prolific goal-scorer.

Head-to-Head: Alex DeBrincat More Points vs. Lane Hutson (-115)

Lane Hutson`s Calder Trophy-winning season was truly outstanding, a performance that might prove challenging to surpass or even replicate. With former Islander Noah Dobson joining the Montreal lineup, the 21-year-old defenseman is anticipated to experience a slight reduction in offensive output, following his impressive 6 goals and 60 assists in 2024-25. In contrast, Alex DeBrincat, playing on a scoring line with his long-time associate Patrick Kane and rising talent Marco Kasper, as well as on the top power play unit, is expected to achieve 70-plus points, mirroring his production from last year. DeBrincat, who holds the fourth spot on the active consecutive games played list, has not missed a game since February 2, 2021. While Hutson`s talent is captivating, I lean towards the consistent goal-scoring winger over the defenseman in this matchup.

Nikita Kucherov: Hart Trophy Winner (+650)

Could the third time be the charm for Nikita Kucherov? After finishing behind Connor Hellebuyck last spring and Nathan MacKinnon the season prior, Kucherov is again considered among the top three early favorites for the league`s Most Valuable Player award. His recent receipt of the Ted Lindsay Award – acknowledging him as the league`s most outstanding player as voted by his peers – might subtly influence members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, suggesting that Hellebuyck`s Vezina Trophy was sufficient recognition. What truly bolsters Kucherov`s Hart Trophy prospects, several months from now, is his February schedule, which provides ample opportunity for rest and rejuvenation. Unlike many North American stars such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Auston Matthews, Kucherov, being Russian, will not be participating in the Olympics. This absence from international competition could leave him significantly fresher for a strong postseason push when the league resumes play on February 25th. Given these factors, and assuming he maintains his incredible statistical output, I believe the 32-year-old has a strong chance to win his second NHL MVP award.

Longshot Special: Jimmy Snuggerud Calder Trophy Winner (+1600)

While Ivan Demidov is widely considered the leading candidate for the Calder Trophy, it`s worth evaluating other promising young players. Consider Jimmy Snuggerud, the 21-year-old winger for St. Louis, who is slated to play on a top line and power play alongside underrated center Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. Snuggerud demonstrated his capabilities during his late-season call-up, tallying four points in seven regular-season games and contributing two goals and two assists in a thrilling seven-game playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets. Although Demidov rightly holds the early favorite status, the Blues` 2022 23rd-overall draft pick is well-positioned to present a compelling argument for his own rookie-of-the-year candidacy.