Written by Scott on Monday, May 18th, 2020
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The NHL is making progress. They are discussing having a 24 team playoff format. It was reported that the league was focusing on going straight to the playoffs rather than finishing the regular season if it’s able to resume play.
This format would put every Western Conference team except the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks into the playoffs. In the East, the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings would miss out.
2 owners are confident that the NHL will return this season. Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is optimistic about the NHL’s chances of completing the 2019-20 season during the coronavirus pandemic.
Melnyk said he’s “100%” confident that the Stanley Cup will be awarded this season and that the 2020-21 campaign will be played in full. And Caps owner Ted Leonsis agrees with Melnyk that the 2019-20 season will resume, telling CNN on Sunday that he believes play will return in hub cities without fans. It is also being discussed that 2 hub cities would host all 24 teams, 12 each. At this point any hockey is going to be amazing. And if the league does go with the 24 team format its going to be an interesting postseason.
Some people might not think that a team like the Montreal Canadiens deserve to be in the postseason with a rested Carey Price but that will make the playoffs that much more exciting. And I wouldn’t want to face a rested Jets team who have an offensive core of Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Kyle Connor, Patrik Laine, and Nikolaj Ehlers in the first round. It gives teams a chance to win it all who wouldn’t have if the pandemic hadn’t happened.
And now just after even talking about it, its tough to go back to NFL Simulations but I need to bet on something.
Sim Bowl Betting Tips
The Bodog Sim Classic is taking place. It’s a 32-team team showdown combining the NFL season and playoffs with FIFA’s World Cup tournament format.
You can bet on the games at Bovada/Bodog. You can watch the games at https://www.twitch.tv/livefootballsims
Titans vs Texans – The Texans won the AFC South going 10-6. The Titans finished in 2nd in the AFC south going 9-7.
With the Texans being at home and having Deshaun Watson for a quarterback, I’ll go with them to win in this one.
Texans -2.5 for -115 odds at Bovada/Bodog
Seahawks vs 49ers – The 49ers won the NFC West going 13-3. The Seahawks finished in 2nd in the NFC West going 11-5.
The 49ers lost in the Super Bowl and are at home so I’ll go with them in this game.
49ers -2.5 for -115 odds at Bovada/Bodog
