We have a huge 12-game NHL slate for Thursday night, which means there will be plenty of player prop bet options to choose from. The Canadiens and Red Wings each played last night, and are the only teams operating on zero days’ rest.
Here are my favorite three NHL player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday, October 23.
Best NHL props for Thursday 10/23/25
Evgeni Malkin 1+ Points (-120)
Malkin may be 39 years old, but he has not lost a step in 2024. He leads the Penguins in assists (8) and points (11), and draws a good matchup against a struggling and injury-riddled Panthers squad. Malkin has recorded at least one point in six of seven games this season and in eight of the last nine meetings against Florida. The Russian Bear has been particularly lights out when playing on the road, too, recording a point in all four games this season. Florida has lost four of its last five games, allowing 3+ goals in each, while Pittsburgh has won three straight games.
Matthew Schaefer 1+ Assist (+120)
We’ve been riding with Schaefer’s assist line the past three games and will continue to do so tonight against the Red Wings. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick is tied for the most points on his team (7) and leads in assists (5). His playmaking has been so impressive that he ranks sixth in assists per 60 among defensemen, and I don’t think it’ll slow down against a Detroit squad that could be a bit fatigued after playing in Buffalo last night. The Islanders rank inside the top-10 in both goals per game and shots per game. If this continues, Schaefer will almost certainly be involved.
Cutter Gauthier Anytime Goalscorer (+195)
I highlighted Gauthier’s matchup as my NHL Icebreaker pick for Thursday’s slate, so why not add him in as one of my best NHL player prop bets? Gauthier is tied for the most goals on the Ducks (4), and should find more success against the Bruins, who have allowed the 13th-most goals per game and rank fourth-to-last in 5v5 XGoals against per 60. It should be a night filled with opportunities for Gauthier, who ranks first in 5v5 SOG per 60 and eighth in 5v5 xGoals per 60. Joonas Korpisalo will start for Boston, and he is 1-2-0 with a 3.35 GAA and .865 SV%. Korpisalo also ranks 48th out of 65 eligible goaltenders in goals saved above expected.
