Sports Betting Online & Sports Books Reviews

Hockey bettors can appreciate the lower betting limits on NHL games than they would normally incur on NFL or NBA games.  The lower betting limits is virtually an admission by sportsbooks of the fact that they are not as inclined to accept bets on the NHL as they would be for other major sports.  Obviously, this can work to your favor if you educate yourself about the game, trends, and tendencies of individual teams.

Often the safest way to bet hockey is to go with slight favorites or slight underdogs. If you decide to bet the slight underdogs, all you have to do is break even in the win/loss column to make a profit.  So, if you played two teams at +120, and bet $100 on each team you could win one game and lose one game and still make a $20 profit.

Factors to Consider

Just as the starting pitcher is the most vital player to consider in a baseball wager, the starting goaltender is nearly as important in a hockey game. If you notice that a particular team’s back-up goalie is getting the start then that could be either an advantage or a red flag depending on your betting preference.  More times than not a back-up netminder equates to at least one more goal allowed than normal for that team.

Another factor to consider is teams’ schedules leading up to that day’s game.  For example, teams playing consecutive games/days on the road.  If this is the case you will probably want to bet the home team.  Of course, you would still want to consider other factors, but if the visitor is playing its second consecutive road game in as many days it is definitely something that favors the home team the majority of the time.

It is also important to know the style of play of each team.  If two finesse teams are playing against each other then the score is probably going to be higher than normal.  Conversely, if two defensive, physical teams are going head-to-head, then the score is likely to be low.  When finesse teams meet physical teams it is usually a safe bet to go with the defensive team.  A good defense almost always beats a good offense in any sport.

Hockey is considered a niche sport and ranks well behind Major League Baseball, the NFL and the NBA in terms of popularity and an overall understanding.  Consequently, oddsmakers do not spend the same amount of time creating NHL odds as they do for the NFL or NBA.  This can lead to nice profits if you know what to look for when betting these games.

While the home ice edge in the NHL postseason is usually a lot less valuable than the home floor advantage in the NBA playoffs, this year’s Stanley Cup Finals has been controlled by the home squads through the first five games of the series. If the current trend holds, the Chicago Blackhawks are set to win its first Stanley Cup crown since 1961.

Heading into Wednesday’s Game 6 in Philadelphia, the Flyers are on the brink of elimination after dropping Game 5 in Chicago. Philadelphia is a slight -120 favorite to send the series back to Chicago for a decisive seventh game on Friday night. With two chances to win the title, the Blackhawks are a -500 choice to win the championship.

While the focus is on this year’s Stanley Cup, bookmakers have already posted odds for next season’s NHL championship. Chicago is the early favorite at +450. The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins are the next options at +600.

Favorite comes up short at the Belmont Stakes

With the winners of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness not in the field, last weekend’s Belmont Stakes lost some of its appeal. Ice Box entered the event as a 9-5 favorite but finished ninth in the field of 12 horses. Drosselmeyer came through to win the Belmont at odds of 13-1. Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and Preakness champ Lookin At Lucky were absent from the race. This marked the fourth time in the last five years that three different horses have won the Triple Crown races.

Big names skipping US Open tuneup

With golf’s second major of the year set to get underway next week at Pebble Beach, most of golf’s top performers are bypassing this week’s PGA Tour event. Masters runner-up Lee Westwood is a +1200 favorite at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis this week. Young sensation Rory McIlroy and three-time majors champion Padraig Harrington are the next choices at +1600. McIlroy is 26th on the PGA Tour’s money list heading into the tournament.

For next week’s US Open, Tiger Woods is a +450 favorite. After failing to complete four rounds in each of his last two tournaments following a fourth-place finish at the Masters to open his 2010 season, Woods finished in 19th place at last week’s Memorial Tournament in Ohio. His last win in a major was at the US Open two years ago. Phil Mickelson is just behind Woods at +500.

The Chicago Blackhawks are just four wins away from its first Stanley Cup title since 1961 after sweeping past the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Finals. It has been a dramatic turnaround for the franchise. Beginning with the 1997-98 season, Chicago went through a rapid period of decline. Over a ten-year stretch, the Blackhawks were able to reach the postseason only once. However, Chicago was finally able to make some strides last year with a trip to the conference finals. This year, the club was considered a legitimate title contender heading into the postseason after gaining the number two-seed in the West during the regular season.

Now, Chicago will prepare themselves to meet the Philadelphia Flyers who rolled past the Montreal Canadiens in four games. The results of this year’s playoffs show that anything is possible. Philadelphia became just the third team in NHL history to rally from a 3-0 series deficit in the conference semi-finals against Boston. Meanwhile, Montreal has already rallied from a pair of 3-1 series deficits to reach this point.

Although there has been substantially wild and unpredictable turn of events, in Monday’s Game 5, the Flyers were a -195 favorite to close out the series. In the Stanley Cup futures pool, Chicago is a solid -300 choice to win the championship, while Philadelphia is at +1900.

Celtics closing in on Eastern Conference crown

While the Boston Celtics were an afterthought in most circles entering the postseason, the club is just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals. Boston attempted to sweep the Orlando Magic in Monday’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden. However, the Magic were able to push the Eastern finals to a game five.

As the number two-seed in the East, Orlando was a solid favorite to win the series after going 8-0 to open the postseason. However, the Magic rolled over on the road in Game 3 after losing a pair of close calls at home to begin the series.

In the West, the home team has won all three games in the conference finals heading into Tuesday’s Game 4 in Phoenix. The Suns are a 1-point choice over the Los Angeles Lakers in an attempt to even the series. Despite the setback in Game 3, LA is an overwhelming -700 choice to advance to the NBA Finals. To win the championship, the Lakers are the overall favorite at -255 while the Celtics are at +150.

It’s never happened in the NBA postseason. In baseball’s playoffs, it has occurred only once (2004 Boston Red Sox). In the NHL, the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers became only the third team to do it on the ice. Philly rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to shock the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Now, the bottom two seeds in the East are squaring off for an opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup. The NHL finals will have a different look this year. None of the four teams that are still alive have been to the Stanley Cup Finals in the last ten years.

Eastern Conference

The Flyers needed a small miracle to reach the conference finals after losing the first three games of its series against the Bruins. Philadelphia pulled out an overtime win in Game 4 to keep the series alive. The Flyers won the next two games to force a seventh game in Boston. On the road, Philadelphia came through with a 4-3 victory to complete an epic series comeback. As the seventh-seed, Philadelphia has the home ice advantage in the conference finals against the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens.

In Game 1, Philadelphia cruised to a 6-0 win. On Tuesday’s Game 2, the Flyers again kept Montreal scoreless taking a commanding 2 to 0 series lead. In the series price odds, Philadelphia is a -205 favorite. To win the Stanley Cup, Philadelphia has odds of +355 while Montreal is at +535. The Flyers haven’t reached a Stanley Cup Finals since 1997 while Montreal hasn’t played for an NHL title since winning the crown back in 1993.

Western Conference

While a couple of surprise squads are seeking a conference title in the East, the top two seeds in the West are meeting for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. The top-seeded San Jose Sharks promptly lost the home ice advantage in both Games one and two to the second-seeded Chicago Blackhawks.

After gaining the home ice edge, Chicago is a -215 favorite to win the series. In the Stanley Cup futures pool, the Blackhawks are the overall favorite at +120 while the Sharks are at +205. Chicago is trying to win its first conference title in 18 years. San Jose is trying to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in the history of the franchise.

The chase for the Stanley Cup has become a little more wide open after a stunning upset in the first round of the postseason. After registering an NHL-best 121 points during the regular season, the Washington Capitals were expected to roll through its opening round matchup against a Montreal Canadiens squad that edged out the New York Rangers by one point for the final playoff spot in the East. With a 3-1 series lead, Washington appeared to be on its way to the conference semi-finals. However, Montreal rallied to win the final three games of the series to shock the Capitals. A couple of other title contenders in the East were also sent home early.

Eastern Conference

The fourth-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins are the highest remaining seed in the East after Washington, New Jersey and Buffalo were knocked out in the opening round. The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins have lost the home ice edge against the Canadiens after the clubs split the first two games of its semi-final series in Pittsburgh. However, the Penguins were still a -355 favorite to reach the Eastern Conference Finals heading into Game 3 at Montreal, of which they shut out the Canadiens taking a 2 -1 series lead.

In the other semi-final series, the sixth-seeded Boston Bruins have a 2-0 series lead over the seventh-seeded Philadelphia Flyers. In a must-win Game 3 at home on Wednesday night, the Flyers are a -160 favorite. With Washington out of the picture, the Penguins are now the overall favorite to repeat as champions at +160. Boston is the next choice out of the East at +600.

Western Conference

In the West, all three top seeds are still alive. The top-seed San Jose Sharks have jumped out to a 3-0 series lead over the fifth-seeded Detroit Red Wings. San Jose was a -375 favorite to win the series heading into Game 3 at Detroit. The defending Western Conference champions Red Wings were a -165 favorite in Game 3 on Tuesday.

In the other semi-final matchup, third-seed Vancouver has taken away the home ice advantage from the second-seeded Chicago Blackhawks. The series is heading north of the border for Game 3 after the two teams split a pair of games in Chicago. Vancouver is a -150 choice for Wednesday’s Game 3. In the Stanley Cup futures pool, the Sharks are the top choice in the West at +280 while the Canucks and Blackhawks are each at +470.

While the Philadelphia Flyers needed to win on the final day of the regular season just to reach the playoffs, the club is making the most of its chance in the postseason.

Eastern Conference

The seventh-seeded Flyers made quick work of the second-seeded New Jersey Devils with a 4 games to 1 series win to reach the conference semi-finals. New Jersey was the only team in the league to allow fewer than 200 goals during the regular season but the club’s mediocre offense was exposed in the postseason. In its four defeats against the Flyers, the Devils managed a total of just four goals over the four contests. Philadelphia (+775 to win Stanley Cup) is looking for its first trip to the finals in 13 years.

Defending Stanley Cup champ Pittsburgh has also advanced to the next round. The fourth-seeded Penguins finished off Ottawa in six games. Pittsburgh is at +375 to repeat as champions.

Top-seed Washington has been challenged in is opening postseason series. The Capitals (+215 to win Stanley Cup) have a tied series and will now face a game 7 finale in Washington. Home teams have won only one of the first five games in the series. In the overall series price, Washington is an overwhelming favorite at -1200.

Also on Monday, the sixth-seeded Boston Bruins finished off its series against the third-seeded Buffalo Sabres with a victory in Game 6 at home. The Bruins were a -135 favorite in the contest and were at -300 to advance in the series.

Western Conference

It appears that all four top seeds in the West are going to reach the conference semi-finals. Top-seed San Jose and third-seed Vancouver have already reached the next round. At +325, the Sharks are the top choice among Western Conference squads to win the Stanley Cup.

The Canucks (+550 to win Stanley Cup) were able to handle the Los Angeles Kings in six games. After trailing 2-1 in its series against the Predators, the second-seeded Chicago Blackhawks have reeled off two straight wins to take a 3-2 series advantage before finishing of Nashville in game 6. Chicago was at -800 to win the series.

In a back and forth series, the fourth-seeded Phoenix Coyotes and fifth-seeded Detroit Red Wings have gone the distance. In Tuesday’s Game 7 in Phoenix, the Red Wings are a -120 favorite over the upstart Coyotes.

The first week of the NHL postseason has proven to be quite difficult for several clubs that entered their conference quarterfinal series with home ice advantage.

Eastern Conference

After dominating the NHL’s regular season, the Washington Capitals promptly lost the home ice edge against the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens in their playoff opener last Thursday in a 3-2 overtime setback. In Game 2 on Saturday, the Capitals were pushed to overtime again before pulling out a 6-5 win to even the series. While the Canadiens now have the home ice edge in the best-of-seven series, Washington is still a -460 favorite to advance to the conference semi-finals heading into Monday’s Game 3 in Montreal.

Second-seed New Jersey also must now win at least one road game in its series against seventh-seed Philadelphia to reach the next round of the postseason. The Flyers stole Game 1 in New Jersey and are now up 3 games to 1 heading.

Third-seed Buffalo is even with sixth-seed Boston heading into Game 3 of that series. Pittsburgh is the only top four seed in the East with home ice advantage heading into this week. The fourth-seeded Penguins rebounded from a Game 1 loss at home to win the next two games in its series against fifth-seed Ottawa. Overall, home teams are just 5-5 in the first ten playoff games in the Eastern Conference.

Western Conference

It’s a similar story out west. Top-seed San Jose narrowly tied the series with Colorado 2 games to 2. The Sharks dropped it’s home ice edge with a 2-1 defeat in Game 1 last Wednesday.

The second-seeded Chicago Blackhawks must win at least one game versus seventh-seed Nashville to survive in its series. After losing Game 1, Chicago tied the series with a victory in Game 2, only to lose its third game.

Third-seed Vancouver was one of the few teams with home ice advantage to win a Game 1 but the Canucks promptly lost Game 2 to the sixth-seeded Los Angles Kings. Despite losing the home ice edge, Vancouver is still a -170 series favorite heading into Game 3 at Los Angeles.

Fourth-seed Phoenix was able to regain its home ice advantage with a Game 3 win at fifth-seed Detroit last Sunday. However, they too lost the next game in Detroit, and this series is now tied 2 to 2. Home squads are 5-5 in the first ten playoff matchups in the West.

#8 Colorado Avalanche (+355) vs. #1 San Jose Sharks (-425)

Among playoff squads in the West, Colorado allowed the most goals with 233. The offense fared a little better this season for the Avalanche. Young center Paul Stastny finished in a tie for sixth in the NHL in assists with 59. San Jose went 8-1-1 in its final ten contests to edge out Chicago for the top seed in the conference. The Sharks are a solid squad on both sides of the ice. Center Joe Thornton ranked second in the league in assists with 69 to pace the offense.

#7 Nashville Predators (+355) vs. #2 Chicago Blackhawks (-425)

The Predators have never won a postseason series in four previous tries. The club scored and allowed 225 goals during a 47-29-6 regular season. While the team lacks a dynamic offensive performer, Nashville has a solid goalie to work wit. Pekka Rinne ranked 13th in the league in goals allowed per game. Chicago is in the playoffs for just the third time in the last 12 seasons after setting a franchise-high with 112 points in the 2009-10 campaign. The Blackhawks are third in the NHL in scoring while ranking second in the West in goals allowed. Right wing Patrick Kane finished ninth in the league in points to pace the offense.

#6 Los Angeles Kings (+200) vs. #3 Vancouver Canucks (-240)

While the Kings won’t have the home ice advantage in this series, Los Angeles tied Washington and San Jose for most road victories this season with 24. Youngster Anze Kopitar had a career-year to rank 17th in the NHL in points with 81. The Kings will be challenged to continue its strong road play in this matchup against a Vancouver squad that tied Washington for most home wins with 30. Center Henrik Sedin led the league in points with 112 while pacing the NHL in assists with 83.

#5 Detroit Red Wings (-185) vs. #4 Phoenix Coyotes (+165)

The defending Western Conference champions are the only squad without home ice advantage that is expected to advance into the second round of the postseason. Detroit will hope that young goalie Jimmy Howard can step up in the postseason after ranking fifth in the league in goals allowed average. Phoenix is in the playoffs for the first time in eight years under first-year head coach Dave Tippett. The Coyotes allowed the fewest goals in the West with 202.

#8 Montreal Canadiens (+475) vs. #1 Washington Capitals (-600)

Montreal will try to contain the explosive offense of the Capitals in this best-of-seven series. The Canadiens scored 101 fewer goals than Washington during the regular season. On defense, Montreal did allow ten fewer goals than Washington. While the Capitals have four of the top 21 scorers in the league, Montreal’s top scorer (center Tomas Plekanec) finished in a tie for 26th in league scoring during the regular season. With left wing Alex Ovechkin and center Nicklas Backstrom both finishing in the top four in NHL scoring, the Capitals were the only club in the league to score more than 300 goals this season.

#7 Philadelphia Flyers (+195) vs. #2 New Jersey Devils (-235)

Despite needing a win over the Rangers on the final day of the regular season just to reach the postseason, Philly is viewed as a dangerous club in this series. The Flyers are third in the conference in scoring. While Philadelphia doesn’t have a player that ranks in the top 48 in league scoring, the squad has a balanced attack on offense. New Jersey wins with its defense. The Devils were the only team in the league to allow fewer than 200 goals this season. Veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur is still on of the NHL’s best net protectors.

#6 Boston Bruins (+145) vs. #3 Buffalo Sabres (-165)

Of the16 playoff squads, Boston is last in goals scored at 206. However, New Jersey was the only team to allow fewer goals than the Bruins this year. Goaltender Tuukka Rusk allowed an average of less than two goals per start to lead the league. The Sabres also have an excellent goalie to counter with. Ryan Miller finished second behind Rusk by allowing an average of 2.24 goals per start. On offense, Buffalo was able to score 29 more goals than Boston.

#5 Ottawa Senators (+235) vs. #4 Pittsburgh Penguins (-275)

Ottawa allowed the most goals of any of the 16 playoff clubs during the regular season. On offense, longtime Senators standout Daniel Alfredsson (71 points) will be counted on to keep pace with some dynamic Pittsburgh offensive performers. The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins are led by standout center Sydney Crosby. The top scorer in the conference helped the Penguins to rank second in the East in scoring. Like Ottawa, Pittsburgh also has some defensive concerns after allowing just one fewer goal than the Senators.

With the 2009-10 NHL regular season now concluded after Sunday’s games, the post season will soon commence. 16 teams will vie for the famed Stanley Cup when the postseason gets underway next week. The playoff spots have been filled heading into the start of the playoffs, and here is a look at what to expect.

Eastern Conference

The final three unclaimed playoff spots were sealed this past weekend in the East. The New York Rangers fell to the Flyers in a shoot out tally. At the top of the conference, the Washington Capitals are a +155 choice to reach the Stanley Cup finals after clinching the President’s Trophy for the league’s best regular season record. With a dominant offense that is 66 goals ahead of the next best scoring team in the East, the Capitals are hoping that its less impressive defense can come through in the postseason. Six other teams in the Eastern Conference have allowed fewer goals than Washington.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens are the next group of contenders to win the conference at +335. The defending champion Penguins are the next best offensive team in the conference while the Devils have allowed the fewest goals in the league. As the fifth-worst scoring team in the East, New Jersey may not have enough firepower to hang with Washington in a best-of-seven series.

Western Conference

In the West, all eight playoff spots have been secured. The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks are still fighting for the top seed in the conference while the Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes are likely to have home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs as well. The Blackhawks (+210) are a narrow choice to win the conference title over the Sharks (+270). Chicago is second in the conference in goals scored on offense while also ranking second on defense in fewest goals allowed. San Jose is just behind Chicago in offense. The Canucks (+450) are the top offensive club in the West while the Coyotes (+475) allow the fewest goals in the conference.

Stanley Cup odds

The Capitals are a +260 choice to win the Stanley Cup over the Blackhawks (+350). San Jose is next at +375 followed by Pittsburgh and New Jersey at +650. At +700, Buffalo is the only other squad that has odds below 10/1.