Alex Ovechkin has scored 929 NHL regular season goals.
On Monday, we got confirmation he has a maximum of 82 more games to add to his NHL record, then he is done.
The Washington Capitals reloaded this summer with the additions of Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, Boone Jenner, and Vincent Desharnais.
Ovechkin returned on a one-year deal for his 22nd season.
On paper, the Capitals were the biggest offseason winner.
That sentiment was reflected in their odds to win the Stanley Cup shooting from +4500 all the way to +1200, from 20th in the NHL to a top six choice at FanDuel.
Ovechkin’s regular season goal total was posted at 27.5.
He needs 11 more to break Wayne Gretzky’s record of 1,016 goals combined across regular season and playoffs.
Tonight, Ovechkin and the Capitals will renew their rivalry with Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in an early Metropolitan Division showdown.
Washington is a -162 moneyline favourite at FanDuel.
Ovechkin anytime goal against the Penguins is +195.
Gavin McKenna’s regular season goal total was 21.5.
The rookie first overall pick scored the first of his NHL career on home ice in Tuesday’s 5-4 comeback win over the Nashville Predators.
Shout out to Carlo Colaiacovo for hinting that Toronto was due for a big night at the offensive end of the ice.
Also, shout out to our lead web producer Luke Bellus for telling me before the game to bet McKenna anytime goal at +300 odds.
McKenna remains the Calder Trophy favourite at FanDuel.
The Maple Leafs are still considered a pick’em to make the playoffs at -108 at FanDuel this morning.
Next up, Toronto begins a three-game road trip against Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
The NHL season is a marathon, not a sprint, and most would caution against overreacting to a small sample.
Regardless, we’ve already seen some significant market moves after the opening week of the season at FanDuel.
Let’s break down some of the biggest NHL market moves in this Morning Coffee for Wednesday October 7th, 2026.
Can The Panthers Avoid Another Injury Plagued Season?
The Florida Panthers were my best bet to win the Stanley Cup when they were +1300 at FanDuel back in June.
That number was cut as low as +600 before the season.
Thankfully, captain Aleksander Barkov’s latest injury will not end his season.
However, Barkov is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks, Brad Marchand suffered a leg injury in last night’s win over the Los Angeles Kings, and those of us who bet them are suddenly hoping injuries don’t derail Florida again.
The Panthers are still +750 as the second choice to win the Stanley Cup at FanDuel this morning.
The defending champion Carolina Hurricanes re-emerged as the favourite to win it all again at +700.
There was never a doubt there would be an adjustment period in Florida with some new pieces and several players returning from extended injuries last season.
Regardless, the Panthers have secured a point in each of their first four games, going a combined 2-0-2.
If they are healthy come playoff time, Florida will be among the favourites to win it all again.
Unfortunately, those of us who bet the Panthers need them to survive the next 78 games to get there healthy.
Where Do The Red Wings Go From Here?
The Detroit Red Wings were already a long shot to make the playoffs at +290 after the Dylan Larkin trade request went public.
That number has since plummeted from +290 to +540.
After Larkin was booed relentlessly before the home opener, the Red Wings were outscored a combined 5-2 in losses to the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.
Then on Tuesday night, Larkin led Detroit to a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators, earning the game’s first star with a goal and an assist in his season debut.
While Larkin’s performance offered Red Wings fans hope the situation could be salvaged, the market has already signalled the obvious.
With or without Larkin, Detroit isn’t a playoff contender.
The question now becomes where do they go from here?
Detroit’s regular season point total has already dropped from 86.5 to 80.5.
The Red Wings have gone from +2000 to +1000 as the fifth choice to finish with the NHL’s worst regular season record at FanDuel.
The unfortunate reality for the fans at this point is that every victory could be a step in the wrong direction for a franchise that desperately needs to hit the reset button.
With Larkin expected to play Friday against the Seattle Kraken, the Red Wings could be .500 by the weekend.
Flames Emerge As Favourite To Finish With NHL’s Worst Record
The Calgary Flames entered the season at +360 as the second choice to finish with the NHL’s worst regular season record behind the Vancouver Canucks.
After getting outscored a combined 16-3 in three straight losses, the Flames are now the favourite to finish at the bottom of the NHL standings at +230.
Looking ahead, the Flames host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday before they play a home-and-home against the Anaheim Ducks.
Calgary will wrap up a brutal stretch with games against the two teams that played in last year’s Stanley Cup Final in the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes.
After getting blown out in losses to the Canucks and Seattle Kraken, would anybody be surprised if the Flames started the season 0-8?
Are The Rangers A Legitimate Playoff Contender Again?
The New York Rangers were +196 to make the playoffs at FanDuel prior to NHL opening night.
That number is down to +112 following a 4-1-0 start.
2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere scored a hat-trick in last night’s win over the New York Islanders to give him five points in as many games out of the gates.
Igor Shesterkin is 3-1-0 with a .926 save percentage.
Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers surprised as Metropolitan division playoff teams.
It’s still early, but no team’s odds to make the playoffs have improved more than the Rangers in one week.
Jets Playoff Odds On The Move After Strong Start Without Hellebuyck
Don’t look now, but the Winnipeg Jets are undefeated in regulation through their first three games of the season.
Yes, their schedule is about to get a lot tougher, but the fact that the Jets went 2-0-1 with Connor Hellebucyk in net is certainly notable enough to force market moves.
Winnipeg’s regular season point total over/under climbed from 84.5 to 87.5. at FanDuel.
The Jets to make the playoffs shifted from +235 to +176.
Next up, Winnipeg returns home for games against Colorado, Anaheim, and the Minnesota Wild.
Were we too quick to write off the Jets?
It’s still early, but it’s worth pointing out that Winnipeg’s strong start without Hellebucyk has already forced FanDuel to adjust a couple of NHL futures markets.
Have a great day, everyone!