Remember back in 2003 when goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Anaheim Might Ducks went crazy in the NHL playoffs? That's a perfect example of today's message: Find a hot goalie (or two) this time of year and pound the UNDER. If you don't remember the story of Giguere, here is a brief history lesson. Giguerre won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's playoff MVP and to this day has the longest playoff overtime shutout streak in NHL history, playing his entire 168:27 career overtime minutes without giving up a goal. That same year he had a playoff shutout streak of 217:54, including three straight shutouts. In one game against the Dallas Stars he earned a victory in the fifth overtime, stopping 60-of-63 shots.

There are important factors that I look at when making an over/under play in the NHL that I think bettors should take into account. A solid goaltending effort, or a poor one, can make the difference between winning or losing. Virtually everyone knew that year that Giguerre was red hot and many like myself made a bundle betting the under every time the Ducks took the ice. Fast forward to this year and look at the recently concluded first round series between Dallas and Vancouver. Roberto Luongo of the Canucks was outstanding but the Stars Marty Turco went on a Giguerre-type run of historic proportions. As a result, The under between those two teams played to a tune of 5-2 in the series and 12-2-1 in the 14 series meetings.

For me the option of betting on the over/under is more appealing than betting the money line or puck line. While research shows that the over/under is still clearly a second choice for the majority of sports bettors, it does have a growing group of followers. I'm one of them. "Plunder the Under" when the opportunity presents itself. I consider myself to be one of the few handicappers that has made money for myself clients by playing the under. You've got to do your homework but if your find the right goalie or goalies, it can make you some serious cash.