NHL opening weekend betting preview

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Opening night was fun. More importantly, you won money if you followed along with the opening night betting guide. The Washington Capitals won, the Ottawa Senators hit the over 2.5 goals, Auston Matthews found the back of the net, and Brock Boeser got on the scoresheet.

It was a fun night, but things are about to kick into high gear. Here's how to approach betting a busy four-day slate over the weekend:

Game betting

New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres (Saturday)

I'm not as high on the Devils as most this season, but the Sabres are bad and New Jersey has won in seven of its last eight visits to Buffalo. The Devils will likely be very short favorites, making a play on them even more appealing.

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (Saturday)

The Leafs should be huge favorites again in this one, sapping any value in backing them. They will be flying home for the second half of back-to-back games after playing on Friday night in Columbus, a situation that's produced six consecutive unders for them.

With Carey Price and Frederik Andersen likely in goal, the under is worth a hard look for this Saturday night showdown.

New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators (Saturday)

The Senators won't win much in 2019-20, but this is a great spot to back them at plus money. The Rangers have lost eight straight in Ottawa and are hardly deserving of the love the oddsmakers will probably give them in this spot.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins (Saturday)

If losing streaks are your thing, then this is one of those empty-the-account type of plays. The Penguins have won 10 straight over the Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh, with seven of those victories coming by at least two goals, making the puck line well worth a look.

Dallas Stars at St. Louis Blues (Saturday)

The Stars and Blues play fundamentally sound defense and limit goals. Six of the last seven meetings between the two teams in St. Louis have gone under the 5.5 total.

The game should be profitable again on Saturday.

Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers (Saturday)

This is another spot where goals have typically been scarce. Six of the last seven meetings between the Kings and Oilers in Edmonton have gone under. The Kings have also lost six of those games. Oilers and the under parlay, anyone?

San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (Saturday)

The Sharks have hit six consecutive overs when on the road and in the second leg of back-to-back games. Both their contests against the Ducks in Anaheim went over last year as well, so let's stick with tradition here.

Game props

Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators (Thursday)

The Wild haven't beaten the Predators in Nashville since 2016, and the team has scored just seven goals over its last five games there. Take the team total under 2.5.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets (Friday)

Since Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner came into the league three seasons ago, the Leafs have played six games in Columbus, with each contest featuring two-plus goals in the first period. Hit that over 1.5 in the opening 20 minutes and don't look back.

Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche (Saturday)

The Avalanche are going to score a lot this season, and they should come out of the gate firing against the Wild. The first period has gone over 1.5 goals in each of the last five meetings between these two teams in Colorado.

San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (Saturday)

Let's revisit this game for a second. You saw the over trend in this spot for the Sharks (see above). Combine that with their last five games in Anaheim producing two-plus goals in the first period, and we get a tasty play here.

Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames (Saturday)

At this rate, we might as well play the first period over in every game this weekend and hope for the best. This could be the strongest play of them all though, with 11 of the last 12 meetings between the Canucks and Flames in Calgary featuring two-plus goals in the opening frame.

Player props

Montreal Canadiens at Carolina Hurricanes (Thursday)

Andrei Svechnikov scored 20 goals as a rookie last season for the Hurricanes, and he could realistically come close to doubling that tally this year. The sniper potted three against the Habs last season, and he's well worth a look to score his first this campaign in Carolina's season opener at +180.

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (Saturday)

Max Domi has made no attempt to hide his disdain for the Maple Leafs. The Toronto-born forward enjoyed a breakout first season with the Canadiens in 2019-20, including six points in four games against the Leafs. Back him to go over 0.5 assists on Hockey Night in Canada.

Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals (Saturday)

There's nothing like celebrating a new contract with a goal. Sebastian Aho got paid this summer, and he's enjoyed plenty of success against the Capitals during his young career.

With eight goals and 17 points in 12 career games against Washington, don't bet against him adding to that total on Saturday. Take the over on 0.5 points.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins (Saturday)

If you've already bet on the Pens in this game, why not spice it up even more with a wager on Jake Guentzel to score? He's recorded more goals against Columbus (seven) than any other team in his career.

Winnipeg Jets at New York Islanders (Sunday)

Have you seen who's playing defense for the Jets these days? It's not great.

Anders Lee has scored 11 goals over 12 career games versus Winnipeg, while Mathew Barzal has netted four in four clashes against the Jets. Backing both Islanders forwards to score would return a profit as long as one of them finds the back of the net. If they both do, happy Sunday.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.