NHL daily picks, props, fantasy projections

NHL.com's fantasy staff provides daily picks, props and free-to-play game advice throughout the 2026-27 season. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

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NHL PROPS: FRI. OCT. 9 🎯

Player to watch for shots on goal, point and/or goal: Beckett Sennecke, F, ANA (at WPG; 8 p.m. ET; SN, SN1, KCOP-13, Prime Video)

The Anaheim Ducks forward leads them with three goals and is tied for second in points (four) and power-play points (three) this season. Sennecke, who was tied for first among rookies in goals (23) and ranked second in points (60 in 82 games) last season, has at least one point in each of his first three games this season and has 10 shots on goal in his past two games. Sennecke’s 24:58 time on ice in his most recent game was the second most he’s played in a regular season game in the NHL and he’s averaging 21:35 this season (compared to 17:27 last season). The 20-year-old is playing on the second line with Mikael Granlund and Alex Killorn and first power play with Granlund, Leo Carlsson (seven points; leads team), Cutter Gauthier and Jackson LaCombe. Per NHL EDGE stats, Sennecke is tied for second in the entire NHL in high-danger goals (three) and ranks among the forward leaders in 20-plus mph speed bursts (13; 90th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (five; 92nd percentile) and mid-range shots on goal (four; 90th percentile). -- Chris Meaney

Player to watch for shots on goal, points and/or goal: Bryan Rust, F, PIT (at CBJ; 7 p.m. ET; CBJHN, CBJNHL, SN-PIT, SN+, TVAS)

The Pittsburgh Penguins forward scored a goal and had three shots on goal in his season debut on Wednesday after missing the first three games of the season due to injury. Rust, who started the game on the third line, quickly moved to the first line with Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell, and ranked third among forwards in ice time (19:09). Rust, who tied his career high in points (65 in 72 games) last season, has seven straight 20-goal seasons and has at least 28 goals in three consecutive seasons. Per NHL EDGE stats, Rust ranked highly among forwards last season in mid-range goals (11; 94th percentile), high-danger goals (14; 87th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (71; 92nd percentile) and mid-range shots on goal (66; 90th percentile). Rust has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his past 12 games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and at least three shots on goal in each of his past five games against them (21 total). -- Meaney

'NHL GOAL CHASE' PICK 🚨

Welcome to "NHL Goal Chase," a daily game where fans pick one goal-scorer per day and try to compile the longest streak possible. Multigoal games can also extend your streak by the number of goals scored by the goal-scorer you select.

Dylan Larkin, F, DET (vs. SEA; 7 p.m. ET; Prime Video, DSN, KONG, KING)

The Detroit Red Wings forward had a goal and an assist in his season debut against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday; it was the 11th time Larkin recorded a point in his season debut, which ranks third all-time for the franchise behind Gordie Howe (18 times) and Steve Yzerman (12 times). Larkin, who is playing on their top line with Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson, set NHL career highs in goals (34 in 74 games) and game-winning goals (nine; tied for third in entire NHL) last season. Larkin leads all current Red Wings in career points (13 in 10 games) against the Seattle Kraken, which includes a goal against them the last time they visited Little Caesars Arena on Nov. 18, 2025. Per NHL EDGE stats, Larkin's goal came on a high-danger shot; he ranked in the 94th percentile among forwards in high-danger goals (17) last season. The Kraken allowed a season-high six goals against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, -- Troy Perlowitz

'NHL FANTASY STARS' PICK ⭐️

Play the “NHL Fantasy Stars" game to construct your dream team of players by opening packs and collecting coins. You can become a hockey GM, set winning lineups, collect star players, make blockbuster trades, play along with friends and climb the leaderboard.

Cole Hutson, D, WSH (vs. NYR; 7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NHLN, MSG)
300 coins in 'NHL Fantasy Stars'

The Washington Capitals defenseman is tied with Luca Cagnoni and Carter Yakemchuk for the NHL rookie lead at his position in points (two in three games; one goal, one assist) despite playing one fewer game than those two players. Hutson is playing in the Capitals' potent offense, which added Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner this offseason, and is part of a promising young core with forwards Ryan Leonard and Ilya Protas. Hutson, the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens' star defenseman Lane Hutson, is playing on Washington's second power play with Tuch, Kyrou, Leonard and Ilya Protas and now has 12 points (four goals, eight assists), seven on the power play, in 17 career NHL games. Hutson has also had at least three shots on goal in two of his first three games of the season. Per NHL EDGE stats, Cole Hutson is tied for second among defensemen in mid-range shots on goal (six; behind Shea Theodore's eight) and is also among the leaders at his position in max skating speed (22.06 mph; 97th percentile) and hardest shot (92.68; 92nd percentile). -- Pete Jensen

Others to watch for point:

Cole Perfetti, F, WPG (vs. ANA)
Alex Tuch, F, WSH (vs. NYR)
Viktor Arvidsson, F, DET (vs. SEA)
Tommy Novak, F, PIT (at CBJ)

Others to watch for assist:

Sidney Crosby, F, PIT (at CBJ)
Mark Scheifele, F, WPG (vs. ANA)
Leo Carlsson, F, ANA (at WPG)
Lucas Raymond, F, DET (vs. SEA)

Others to watch for goal, point and/or shots on goal:

Kyle Connor, F, WPG (vs. ANA)
Cutter Gauthier, F, ANA (at WPG)
Jared McCann, F, SEA (at DET)
Matthew Knies, F, CBJ (vs. PIT)

Others to watch for shots on goal:

Alex DeBrincat, F, DET (vs. SEA)
Bobby McMann, F, SEA (at DET)
Egor Chinakhov, F, PIT (at CBJ)
Pavel Dorofeyev, F, NYR (at WSH)

Line combos/trios to consider:

ANA: Mikael Granlund -- Beckett Sennecke
WPG: Kyle Connor -- Mark Scheifele -- Cole Perfetti
PIT: Rickard Rakell -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust
WSH: Alex Tuch -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Tom Wilson
CBJ: Adam Fantilli -- Matthew Knies