Following a four-game slate last night, the NHL returns with an 11-game slate on Thursday, which means there should be plenty of quality player prop bet options available. The Senators and Panthers each played on Wednesday night, and are the only teams operating on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Here are my favorite three NHL player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday, October 16.
Best NHL props for Thursday 10/16/25
Zach Werenski 4+ Shots on Goal (+110)
Even at plus-odds, this could end up being a chalky play for Thursday’s betting card, but it’s too hard to pass up. Werenski is tied for the third-most shots on goal in the NHL and has registered four more than the next closest defenseman, Adam Fox, despite playing two fewer games than him. He registered five SOG in the season-opener and is coming off back-to-back games with seven SOG. The 28-year-old leads all defensemen in both 5v5 shots on goal per 60 and 5v5 shot attempts per 60. The man is making it a priority to get the puck on the net to start the new season, and he has found success in this department against the Avalanche in the past, clearing this line in five of the past eight meetings.
Kyle Connor Anytime Goalscorer (+135)
The 28-year-old sniper registered a hat-trick in Winnipeg’s season-opener, but hasn’t been able to find the back of the net in the past two games. While the Jets have struggled against the Flyers in past meetings, Connor has not. In fact, he has netted a goal in each of the past four games at Xfinity Mobile Arena dating back to the 2022 season. Samuel Ersson will draw the start for Philadelphia tonight, and he is coming off a loss in which he allowed four goals (including the game-winner in overtime) on 39 shot attempts. The 25-year-old Swede has fared well against Winnipeg in the past, posting a 1.67 GAA and .945 SV% across three career games, but I trust Connor to get the job done.
Thomas Harley 1+ Point (-115)
The talented and young defenseman has totaled five points across the Stars’ first three games of the season, primarily in the assists department. Tonight, he draws a matchup against the Canucks, who rank 16th in goals allowed per game and 27th in 5v5 expected goal differential. Harley recorded a point in all three meetings against Vancouver in 2024 and should be able to continue the trend in an expected high-scoring affair, with the O/U 5.5 total sitting at -130 and rising. He doesn’t shoot the puck much, having only registered two SOG this season, but he is an elite playmaker and ranks fourth among defenseman in 5v5 points per 60.
