The 2025-26 NHL season began last night and Wednesday brings a four-game slate to follow it up. The Maple Leafs and Canadiens duel in an intense rivalry matchup, the Bruins and Capitals duke it out, the Battle of Alberta sees the Oilers and Flames battle, and the night concludes with the Golden Knights taking on the Kings. There’s plenty of high-octane hockey on deck and goalscorer prop bets aplenty.
With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the top NHL anytime goalscorer prop bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for Wednesday, October 8.
Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks
Auston Matthews anytime goalscorer (+105)
Coming in at near-even odds, Auston Matthews feels like a natural pick for this set of goalscorer prop bets. He netted a career-low 33 shots last season but also appeared in just 67 games, and he tallied at least 40 goals in five straight seasons prior with a pair of campaigns with 60+ goals scored. Now, the departure of Mitch Marner hurts since the Maple Leafs lose a top playmaking wing who shares first-line duties with Matthews, but we know just how effective a scorer Toronto’s captain is. As long as he’s healthy, he finds a way to pressure opposing blue lines and put the puck in the net. His odds to tally a goal tonight are the second-shortest behind all players not named Leon Draisaitl, but that doesn’t make him any less of a top selection for this column.
Mitch Marner anytime goalscorer (+225)
The above-mentioned Mitch Marner took his talents to Vegas over the offseason and now slots in on the top line alongside now-extended center Jack Eichel. The duo form one of the most formidable top-line pairings in the NHL and will certainly give opponents fits throughout the year with Ivan Barbashev joining them in that first unit, and they ought to get off to a hot start against a Kings team reeling after a 4-1 loss to open the season last night. Los Angeles’ defense played well in the first period but conceded four goals in the second and third, including one on the power play. The Golden Knights were one of the best teams in the league with a man advantage last season and Marner only makes them better in that regard. He’s not an elite goalscorer, but the situation he now finds himself in makes for great value with +225 odds to sound the horn tonight.
