We’ve officially reached the NHL’s dog days of winter, though next week’s trade deadline will inject life back into the league. This time of year is dangerous for NHL betting fans, as even the best teams can lag (read: New York Islanders 4, New Jersey Devils 0).
Last week, the Sharks reasserted themselves, the Wings stood pat and the Devils went backward.
Well, hockey betting fans, the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaches, and that means the season is more than two thirds complete. Now is the time for teams to jockey for playoff positions and, consequently, spots on the NHL betting power rankings. Just as Pittsburgh did against UConn in a major March Madness rankings matchup, the Devils made a huge statement against the Sharks on the weekend.
With eight weeks left in the regular season, now’s the best time to examine some hockey betting systems with a track record of success.
Click here for a look at all NHL game and future odds at Sportsbook.com.
Betting System #1
Play On – Road favorites against the money line, after failing to cover four of their last five against the spread – versus an opponent after having covered two of their last three.
Flyers vs Bruins odds: Boston still rolling, leading the East
Red Wings vs Penguins odds: Pittsburgh’s struggles continue
Online sports betting players had high hopes for Pittsburgh at the beginning of the NHL betting season,
Thanks Super Bowl – now February gets to piss us off even more than usual.
The month that lingers on like a BBQ stain on a white T has just become even more onerous because all we have is a great game (the greatest game?) to look back upon – and little to look forward to.
Penguins vs Canadiens odds: a potential playoff preview
Kings vs Senators odds: Ottawa moving forward with new coach
Penguins vs Canadiens odds: Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET
It’s no accident that the NHL All-Star Game is this Sunday – our first Sunday in a long time without football. The league’s annual showcase marks the unofficial halfway point of the hockey season, and it’s been a banner year for the league despite the economic downturn.
Last year’s Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium—home of the Buffalo Bills—was the NHL’s first ever outdoor game played in the U.S. and was a hit for newbie and online NHL betting gurus. The nationally televised New Year’s Day event, competed and very much held its own in ratings on a sportsbook betting day made for bowling. Roughly 3.7 million viewers watched the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Sabres in a 2-1 SO.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Edmonton Oilers 9:35 PM ET
We’re now a third of the way through the regular season schedule and the race for one of the 16 playoff spots is heating up. This Tuesday night showcases an interesting sports betting showdown when the Chicago Blackhawks (15-6-7) head to Alberta to take on the Edmonton Oilers (14-12-2).
One of the hottest teams in the NHL will square off against one of the coldest in a sports betting NHL match-up when the Northeast Division leading Boston Bruins (16-4-4) face the Tampa Bay Lightning (6-10-8) in the St. Pete Times Forum tonight.
After taking to the ice on Monday and Wednesday the NHL sports betting schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Montreal Canadiens this weekend as they suit up on back-to-back nights against Washington on Friday and Buffalo on Saturday.
A game between the haves and have-nots will take place in the St. Pete Times Forum this Wednesday night when the New York Rangers (15-7-2) look to continue their strong effort in the NHL betting season when they face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (6-8-6).
There’s a whole lot going on in the NHL that should be of interest to bettors, so let’s not waste time:
Hot, But Soon To Be Not
There is no team in the NHL playing better right now than Vancouver. They have points in nine straight games, and 11 of the last 12. That puts them comfortably on top of the Northwest Division, and third in the conference.
It’s been a long and busy week for the Bruins. Boston plays on back-to-back nights on Friday and Saturday this weekend, which finishes off a run of four games in six nights. The Bruins paid off for NHL betting junkies who went with them in their first two games this week, and they’ll look to extend their streak at home against Florida on Friday and in Montreal on Saturday.
On Thursday evening, Pittsburgh will be at Atlanta and BetUS NHL odds moneyline favors the Pens only at -130, solidifying oddsmakers think the Thrashers will give one of the East-best all they can handle despite being 7-8-2 and Pittsburgh 11-4-3.
We’re settling into the slow, steady rhythms of the middle of the NHL season when nothing happens too quickly. This is when we start to learn which teams are here to stay, and which ones are just killing time until golf season starts. To an outsider that may all sound a bit dull, but to hockey fans this is heaven.
