Unless you’ve been too busy spending the offseason betting cricket matches, you know that the 2023 NHL season returns on Tuesday, October 10. There are three games on the slate featuring a couple of old dogs, a certain top-pick rookie sensation, and the 2022 Stanley Cup-winning Vegas Golden Knights. For the next 82 games, this piece will offer a quick look into the night’s best opportunities to build a winning Underdog Fantasy Pick’Em Entry. Here are my NHL Underdog Picks for October 10!
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The Quick Pick: Daily NHL Underdog Fantasy Pick ’em Picks for October 10
Victor Hedman Higher than 2.5 Shots
In 2022, the Lightning’s top defenseman had a shot-filled season, tallying 185 shots over 76 games, including 6 shots against the Predators in two games. Without their top netminder, the Lightning will probably be chasing the game. I like an offensive-minded defenseman in this spot, so let’s take the Higher than 2.5 shots on Hedman.
Conor Bedard Higher than 0.5 Points
This will be Bedard’s first career NHL game, so there really aren’t any stats or projections to back this pick. Therefore, the rationale here is simple: I am buying into the hype because this kid is going to be the real deal. Is there a better spot for last year’s top overall pick to register his first NHL point? He just so happens to be up against another former top overall pick, “Syd the Kid.” Give me the Higher on Bedard to register a point!
Sidney Crosby Higher than 0.5 Assists
As much as it pains me to say it, I am really high on the Penguins this season. The Bruins are getting old, Tampa’s been figured out, and the Maple Leafs will always find a way to crap out. In 2022, Sydney tallied three assists in two games against the Blackhawks. In his own barn on opening night, punch the Higher on 0.5 assists for Pittsburgh’s talisman.
Andre Burakovsky Higher than 0.5 Points
Being a night owl by nature worked to my advantage last year as I tuned into several Seattle Kraken games. For as good as they were, this team would have been even better if Burakovsky had stayed healthy. In two games against the VGK last season, he tallied a total of four points. With VGK raising the Stanley Cup banner before this game starts, I anticipate it will take a very strong night from the Kraken’s top players to steal a win. So, let’s press the Higher button on 0.5 points for Burakovsky’s return to the Kraken lineup.
