Hockey Handicapping Articles

2024-25 Montreal Canadiens Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/13/2024

The Canadiens struggled big time last season as they finished in last place of the Atlantic Division with just 76 points. Montreal led the NHL with 16 OT losses and eight shootout losses, while their 20 regulation wins were the third lowest in the NHL. They managed more points (39) on the road than they did at home (37), and their -53-point differential was the second worst in the Eastern Conference.

2024-25 Florida Panthers Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/12/2024

You can’t do it any better than Florida did last season. They dominated their way to winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, taking down Edmonton in seven games. After sneaking past Boston for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, Florida dominated their opponents in the postseason. In all, the Panthers went 16-8 in the playoffs and finished with a +11-goal differential.

2024-25 Detroit Red Wings Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/12/2024

The Red Wings just fell short of the playoffs in 2023 as their hopes faded on the last day of the regular season. They went on a tear through their last six games where they picked up nine points and kept pace until the very end, literally; their final game was a shootout winner against Montreal, but the celebration was somber as they knew their efforts came up just short.

2024-25 Buffalo Sabres Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/11/2024

The Buffalo Sabres performed better than expected in 2023-24, in large part because of the emergence of their goaltender, but they still failed to make the playoffs and ended up finishing seven points short of the last wild card spot. They finished the year with 84 points, going 39-37-6 and finishing with a +2-goal differential on the year. Their 244 goals against were the lowest amount for a team that did not make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

2024-25 Boston Bruins Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/11/2024

After putting together a historic 2022-23 campaign (during the regular season), the Boston Bruins once again found themselves as one of the best teams in the NHL in 2023-24. They finished with 109 points with a +43-goal differential as they finished second in the Atlantic behind the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. Boston played host to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, where they took care of business in seven games, including a thrilling Game 7 overtime winner.

2024-25 NHL Season Points Totals Predictions with Odds and Expert Picks
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/11/2024

We are one month away from the start of the 2024/25 NHL season. Teams have finalized their rosters and are looking ahead to what this season holds for them. The Florida Panthers will begin their defense of the Stanley Cup, though are not likely to repeat after losing a lot of key pieces. As we enter the home stretch of the offseason, the Edmonton Oilers (+700) are the favorites to be crowned champions at the end of the year, followed by the Colorado Avalanche (+800) and the Dallas Stars (+900).

2024 Conn Smythe Trophy Odds and Predictions
by Matt Zitt - 6/7/2024

The 2024 Stanley Cup will be awarded to the NHL’s best team over the next few weeks, but there will also be an award to the NHL’s best player in the playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy will be presented to the NHL Playoff MVP prior to the Stanley Cup being awarded. As we inch closer to the Stanley Cup Final, which starts on Saturday night, it is time to start examining some of the individuals who could be up for the award.

NHL Conference Finals Predictions for Each Series
by Ryan Cobbett - 5/22/2024

Eight more wins is all that is needed for the four remaining teams. The playoffs have given us some great moments throughout the first two rounds. Dallas has taken down the last two Stanley Cup Champions on their way to their third conference final in five years. The Panthers have eliminated Boston in back-to-back years, though perhaps a little more controversial this time around.

Expert NHL Handicapping Roundup + Saturday Free Pick for 4/13/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 4/12/2024

Today is the final NHL Friday Roundup of the season as we enter the final week of the 2024 campaign. As it stands now, 13 of the 16 playoff spots have been claimed, and the New York Rangers maintain their spot atop of the league standings with 110 points. Entering the weekend, there is no hotter team right now than the New York Islanders, who have won six straight and now have a three-point lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins for the last guaranteed spot.

Hot and Cold NHL Betting Teams: Moneyline and ATS 4/11/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 4/11/2024

We are nearing the final week of the regular season, as teams have just three or four games remaining in the year. The Rangers currently sit in first place in the NHL standings with 110 points, as the Dallas Stars (109), Boston Bruins (107), and Carolina Hurricanes (107) follow. The Eastern Conference Wild Card race is heating up, with the Islanders and Capitals being chased by the Red Wings, Penguins, and Flyers.

Expert NHL Handicapping Roundup + Saturday Free Pick for 4/6/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 4/5/2024

The season is winding down, and it’s crunch time for teams around the league. Division and wild card races are tightening up, as teams try and crack the 16-team playoff bracket. As of now, Boston, Florida, New York (Rangers), Carolina, Dallas, Colorado, Winnipeg, and Vancouver have all clinched the playoffs. The Stars are the hottest team in the league right now, while the Flyers and Capitals have picked the worst time to go on a four- and five-game losing streak.

NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 4/4/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 4/4/2024

With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, time is running out for you to be able to take advantage of the established trends and performance ATS or regarding the game total. With about seven games remaining on the schedule, the New York Rangers sit atop the league with 106 points, while the red-hot Dallas Stars are on their heels with 105.

Hot and Cold NHL Betting Teams: Moneyline and ATS 3/28/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/28/2024

The Dallas Stars, who just took over the top spot in the Western Conference, are featured as number two on the list, going 7-3 ATS over the last 10 games. Dallas has won 10 of their last 12 games and has won and covered in their last five games. Scott Wedgewood and Jake Oettinger have formed a solid tandem over the last two weeks, as they have allowed just 10 goals in the last five contests.

NHL Futures Odds Update with Expert Predictions for Awards, Stanley Cup Chase
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/22/2024

Back in January, I did a deep dive into the future award winners and their odds of claiming the coveted trophies. Let’s revisit the future as we are within the final month of the season as we now have a much clearer picture. Additionally, we will analyze the team’s future odds as well so that you can take advantage of any value that still exists on the market.

Expert NHL Handicapping Roundup + Saturday Free Pick for 3/23/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/22/2024

With only four weeks remaining in the regular season, things are heating up on the ice. That also means time is winding now to take advantage of established league trends, so today I break down the numbers so you can see where the money is being made. Additionally, let’s see how the race for the worst record is going while also talking about the hottest team in the sport.

NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 3/21/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/21/2024

Teams are sitting at or around 70 games played as we near the end of the season. The wild card races are heating up, with Tampa Bay and Detroit claiming the final two spots in the Eastern Conference, while Nashville and Vegas have the wild card spots claimed in the Western Conference. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, time is running out to do what the numbers tell you. So, without further ado let’s get into the game totals.

Hot and Cold NHL Betting Teams: Moneyline and ATS 3/13/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/13/2024

The Trade Deadline has passed, and teams have less than 20 games remaining on the schedule. Vegas, Dallas, Colorado, Winnipeg, and Carolina all improved, as the Hurricanes look as scary on paper as the Panthers do, while the Jets, Avalanche, and Stars are in for an entertaining finish in the Central Division. There is big news out of Vancouver as Thatcher Demko is set to miss two to four weeks with a knee injury, which opens things up for Vegas and Edmonton to catch the Canucks over the next 10 games or so.

Expert NHL Handicapping Roundup + Saturday Free Pick for 3/9/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/8/2024

The trade deadline is upon us, as teams have until 3pm EST to get any trades into the league office, then it’s officially the home stretch. We have already seen some big moves like Carolina going all in and grabbing Jake Guentzel from Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay acquiring Anthony Duclair from San Jose. The Nashville Predators have an interesting day in front of them, as they are on a heater but have been widely expected to sell at the deadline. It’s decision time for teams across the league, who will go all in? Before the exciting day gets underway, let’s look at some trends from around the league.

NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 3/7/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/7/2024

Once more, it is time to see who the moneymakers are in respect to the game totals over the team’s last 10 games. With the trade deadline just a day away, teams are going to need to assess whether or not to add offensive firepower or goaltending sturdiness to improve their teams and make a run to the playoffs. So, with that being stated, it is good to do some more research for game total decisions over the next week or so, because some of these streaks may change depending on who is added or subtracted as we head into the weekend.

Expert NHL Handicapping Roundup + Saturday Free Pick for 3/2/2024
by Ryan Cobbett - 3/1/2024

With the NHL season schedule hitting the home stretch, and the trade deadline a week away, it is time for teams to hunker down and get ready for a playoff push. Three of the four division leaders have small leads of five points or less, while Vancouver’s 10-point lead over Vegas is the largest separation between the top two teams in any division. The Eastern Conference Wild Card spots seem to both belong to the Atlantic Division, with Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning clinging to six- and eight-point leads. As for the Western Conference, the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings control the wild cards by seven points. With all that said, let’s revisit some trendy futures and see where the money is at.