With a dozen NHL games on Thursday, ESPN's NHL Tonight previews every contest, including betting lines and broadcast details. Odds come from DraftKings and are subject to change.
The night opens with the Nashville Predators at the Boston Bruins, a 7 p.m. ET matchup on ESPN+ with Boston favored at -155. The game features players who could represent their countries at a new round-robin, 3-on-3 All-Star tournament organized by nationality. Among them are American Olympians Jeremy Swayman and Charlie McAvoy, and Czech native David Pastrnak, who will skate for Team Rest of World. Steven Stamkos, with 10 points through eight games after netting 42 goals last season, is also being discussed for Team Canada.
The New York Rangers visit the Toronto Maple Leafs as the Rangers are favored at -112. Neither team was close to a playoff berth in 2025-26, though both are off to strong starts. The Rangers have benefited from a breakout performance by Dylan Garand, while the Leafs have been led by Auston Matthews, William Nylander, newcomer Kirill Marchenko and 21-year-old Easton Cowan.
The Ottawa Senators host the San Jose Sharks at -130. Ottawa was reunited with Brady Tkachuk on Wednesday after a summer trade, while San Jose will be without William Eklund, who is out several weeks after ankle surgery. The Sharks' offense, which recently beat Montreal, will face a healthy Senators squad looking to slow it down.
The New Jersey Devils are -198 favorites against the Anaheim Ducks, who have dropped four straight. In a busy slate, the Florida Panthers visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on the back end of an emotional win in Ottawa, and the New York Islanders host the Los Angeles Kings, who finally recorded a victory after a scoring drought.
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing