Tag: hockey betting

NHL Picks and Best Bets: 2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions

Looking at the NHL betting odds to win the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Final, with NHL futures picks and best bets.

The 2019-20 Stanley Cup will be up for grabs later this summer as the NHL season resumes with a 24-team playoff structure. The expanded postseason has opened up the odds, providing greater profit margins for sports bettors. Below, we’ll look at the Stanley Cup futures odds, and make our picks and best bets at BetMGM.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Favorite

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Thursday, May 28 at 2:40 p.m. ET.

St. Louis Blues (+1000)

The defending Stanley Cup champions finished the abbreviated regular season atop the ultra-competitive Central Division at 42-19-10 for 94 points through 71 games. They scored 225 goals and allowed just 193, all without star RW Vladimir Tarasenko (shoulder) for the majority of the season.

Tarasenko will return following the break and unlike most teams who try to defend a Stanley Cup title, the Blues are plenty rested after going the distance in 2018-19. The pressure has also faded, at least slightly, due to the prolonged break.

The Blues are only sixth by the odds to win the Cup despite finishing first in the Western Conference and receiving a Qualification Round bye. They’re a strong pick as the first team with odds of 10/1 or higher.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Blues to win the Stanley Cup returns a profit of $100.

Get some action on the NHL playoffs by placing a legal sports bet (in NJ, IN, CO and WV) at BetMGM.com.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Contender

Edmonton Oilers (+2300)

The extended mid-season interruption will help level the competitive playing field for all 24 teams in the expanded playoffs. For this reason, it’s smart to trust the Oilers, who are led by C Connor McDavid and C Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl and McDavid finished 1-2 in both points and assists in the regular season, and they’ll be able to take advantage of any team showing signs of rust defensively.

Believe in the raw talent of the Oilers’ two stars as they’ll look to outscore the competition in what’s sure to be a more wide-open playoff-style than to which we’re accustomed.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Long shot

Florida Panthers (+6500)

Alternatively, look at the Panthers as your Stanley Cup dart throw. They ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference with 231 goals in the regular season while going 35-26-8. G Sergei Bobrovsky, a marquee free-agent addition, struggled through 50 games to post a .900 save percentage and a 3.23 goals against average.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner is the biggest X-factor in this new playoff structure. The break has given him plenty of time to regroup and move past his regular-season struggles. If he can return to form, the Panthers could be vaulted into a long postseason run.

Want some action in the 2019-20 NHL Playoffs? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]

San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesdays Sharks at Blackhawks NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets

The San Jose Sharks (29-35-5) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (31-30-8) in a Wednesday-night (8 p.m. ET) contest at the United Center. We analyze the San Jose-Chicago odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Sharks at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Martin Jones vs. Corey Crawford

Jones owns a 3.00 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage through 41 games. The 30-year-old veteran has been solid of late, posting a 2.25 GAA and .918 SV% in nine games since the All-Star break. Jones last appeared in a game on Sunday, allowing the Avalanche four goals on 24 shots in a 4-3 loss in San Jose. He is making his first road start since Feb. 23.

Crawford has recorded a 2.79 GAA and .916 SV% in 39 games this season. Injured the last two seasons, his 40th game tonight will mark his most since 2016-17 (55). Crawford has been sharp since becoming the Blackhawks’ definitive No. 1 netminder after the trade of Robin Lehner to Vegas. He’s carded a .927 SV% over his last 10 games. Crawford has been particularly sharp at home over that stretch (.939 SV% in four games).

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Sharks at Blackhawks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Chicago 3, San Jose 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Blackhawks’ offense disappeared over the team’s last two games (one goal combined) but was solid in a four-game stretch before that (17 goals plus a shootout winner). Some of that drop-off likely comes from fewer power-play opportunities in recent games after getting things going in that department in late February. Enter the Sharks, the fourth-most penalized team in the NHL, and that bodes well for the ‘Hawks leveraging the man advantage.

San Jose has posted better puck-possession and shot-type signals of late, but the Blackhawks are a couple clicks south of their Pythagorean expectation (won-loss record based on goals for and against). Both teams are playing with two days’ rest: Chicago is 9-4 in such situations; the Sharks are 6-11. San Jose is also just 1-5 when opening a road trip after a multiple-game home stand.

Will take CHICAGO -167.

New to sports betting? A successful $10 bet on the Blackhawks would return a profit of $5.99.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

San Jose hasn’t lost by multiple goals since Feb. 25. The erratic Chicago defense has yielded just 25 shots per game over its last three contests; the ‘Hawks allowed 38.5 shots per game over the four games prior.

PASS on the puck line (Chicago -1.5, +165 / San Jose +1.5, -200)

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (+115) is worth consideration and is a slight lean here. But Jones is more prone to a shaky four-goal game than most, and just a few games back the Chicago offense was clicking. The price here isn’t quite enough to trigger a play, so check the odds to see if they move in a positive direction.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=2059]

Boston Bruins at Calgary Flames odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Bruins vs. Flames NHL sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Boston Bruins (38-11-12) visit the Calgary Flames (31-24-6) for a Friday night (9 p.m. ET) tussle on the ice at the Saddledome. We analyze the Bruins-Flames odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Bruins at Flames: Projected starting goalies

Tuukka Rask vs. David Rittich

Rask is the projected starter for what would be his sixth effort in Boston’s last seven games. The veteran netminder owns a 2.04 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage — the latter on pace for a career-best mark. Rask has put up monster numbers in January and February (8-1-1 record, .954 SV). He hasn’t allowed so much as three goals in a game since Dec. 23. Boston’s last game was Wednesday at Edmonton (a 2-1 overtime win); Rask stopped 28-of-29 shots.

Rittich owns a 2.93 GAA and .908 in 43 games this season. His numbers at home have been a couple clicks worse than those figures, and that’s part of a multi-year trend. Rittich’s February has been a dismal one; the 27-year-old has logged a 4.15 GAA and .872 SV. He was pulled in his last start (Saturday versus Chicago) after allowing four goals on 15 shots in 26 minutes.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Bruins at Flames: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Boston 4, Calgary 1

Moneyline (ML)

Boston (-154) has won four straight games and 10 of its last 11. Over that stretch, the goaltending has been superior and puck-possession numbers have been strong. The shot percentages — for and against — aren’t sustainable in the long run, and the Bruins overall are a tad too far out over their Pythagorean skis (their record is better than their goals and goals allowed would figure). But this is a top-shelf team with a good goalie going strong. Going against Boston would be unwise.

The straight-up price, however, doesn’t offer enough value and thus I’ll PASS ON THE MONEYLINE and look to the spread.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bruins to win would return a profit of $6.49.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

During their 10-of-11 run, the Bruins have won six games by multiple goals. Boston is in a fight for home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs, and a letdown seems unlikely. A club that is 5-1 over its last six games in a different time zone facing a Calgary squad that’s gone 1-4-1 over its last six at home is worth a puck-line play if we can get more than +165 in return.

BOSTON -1.5 (+180) is a solid play.

Over/Under (O/U)

Calgary has played in six straight overs; Boston has played in five consecutive unders. The under is a slight lean here, but the Under 5.5 (+100) has the risk/reward factor well blanketed. PASS.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=2059]

Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Blue Jackets at Kings NHL betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (19-15-8) drop the puck on a four-game West Coast swing with a 10:30 p.m. ET tilt against the Los Angeles Kings (17-22-4) at Staples Center.

We analyze the Jackets-Kings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blue Jackets at Kings: Projected starting goalies

Elvis Merzlikins vs. Jonathan Quick

Merzlikins continues on as the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 goaltender while Joonas Korpisalo recovers from Dec. 31 surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which is expected to keep him out 4-6 weeks. Merzlikins — a 25-year-old rookie — is this far 2-1 in Korpisalo’s stead, logging a .945 save percentage in three starts. For the season, the 2014 third-rounder has logged a 2.94 GAA and .904 SV%.

Quick owns a 3.05 GAA and .894 SV% on the season. He’s been undone a bit by a low save rate on the PK. Quick hasn’t been in a game since Dec. 31; he has very good numbers this season when resting four days or more between appearances. The 33-year-old netminder has registered a nifty .920 SV% over his last five starts at home.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Blue Jackets at Kings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Los Angeles 3, Columbus 2

Moneyline (ML)

Columbus is 4-8-3 against Western Conference foes this season. Yes, this particular opponent ranks last in the West with just 38 points through 43 games, but the Kings have exhibited some positive puck-possession trends of late and are a bit undervalued in general. The exchange of shots and quality looks has Columbus trending the other way.

Look for more from Quick in this one. Take LOS ANGELES (-110), although Monday-morning price fluctuations would suggest waiting for a better price.

New to sports betting? To make a $10 profit on the Kings to win straight up, one must bet $11.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Columbus plays a large percentage of one-goal games and is 14-5 against the puck line on the road. With Los Angeles at +1.5, -286, I will PASS on this one with the value so low.

Over/under (O/U)

The Jackets have played in six straight unders, and the under has prevailed in six of the Kings’ last seven home games. Expected-goal stats for both sides would indicate better days ahead for both goal scorers and netminders. The Jackets and Kings rank 29th and 30th, respectively, in 5-on-5 shooting percentage. Expect those figures to regress upward. Still, there are mixed signals in analyzing the game flow here. Will pass on the over 5.5 (+105)/under 5.5 (-125).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=2059]