Written by Graeme & Scott on Saturday, August 15th, 2020
Follow @BetNHL
It was a heck of a day of NHL action yesterday.
The big story of course was the Habs, following Claude Juliens hospitalzation, coming out and absolutely destroying the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart has been touted pretty heavily for these playoffs and he ended up getting pulled after conceding 4 goals.
Even if you’re a Flyers fan – hopefully you still were able to appreciate that. While it doesn’t happen all the time it’s always nice when there is some sort of emotional trauma, and the team is able to respond in that manner.
And how about Bo Harvart? An absolute star yesterday and that winning goal. Amazing.
Betting wise, we split our contrasting picks 1-1. Our lone universal pick was the Flames to win and they duly delivered. Non-contrasting picks went 2-1. Graemes picks of Gallagher over 3.5 shots and the Caps game to go over came through, while Scotts pick of the Caps to win didn’t.
Four games today and we’re pretty much good with that. Love hockey but after all day hockey for 4 games straight it’s like “Ugh another one?” when that Flames vs Stars game rolled around.
Random thing about why it’s always best to bet the best odds. Just looking at Avs in regulation for example. They’re 1.80 at a lot of sportsbooks (hell B365 has it at 1.76), but 1.91 at at the Kambi books like 888 Sports and Casumo.
Differences of 0.10 approximately are normal in terms of the odds. Probably seen that at least once every day of the playoffs.
Assume a betting unit is $100. You place that bet 10 times and it wins 5 times and loses 5 times.
If you bet at 1.80 odds $100 to win $80, then you have lost exactly $100 or a full unit. However if you bet that at 1.90 odds $100 to win $90, you’ve lost $50 or half a unit. Think about that – simply by placing a bet at a sportsbook with better odds you’re cutting your losses in half over the course of 10 bets.
That’s not factoring in deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, rewards programs etc etc. So just bear that in mind when looking at the odds today – if you notice a decent difference between where you normally bet and the best odds listed – take the time to add an additional sportsbook to your betting portfolio.
Bruins vs Hurricanes Betting Tips:
Graeme: After losing 4-3 in double OT, the Canes were able to bounce back and win 3-2 the next game. Now the two teams have had a day off. The output of the Carolina Hurricanes offense has been solid all playoffs. Both teams rested and should be up for this and the Bruins will be looking to get that win back. I like Over 5.5 Goals.
Canada: 2.25 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +125 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 2.25 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/15 8:06:40 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Scott: This has been a good series. Game 1 needed 2 overtimes and game 2 was also a one goal game.
This looks like its going to be a close series and the Bruins will be looking to retake the lead. I’ll back them in whats sure to be another great game.
Bruins win incl OT
Canada: 1.88 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: -116 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.88 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/15 8:06:40 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Avalanche vs Coyotes Betting Tips:
Graeme: I said yesterday I’d hate myself if I didn’t make that Coyotes pick for mathematical reasons. I am glad I took it even though they lost. I thought they put in a solid performance, and just came up short.
However now they are 2 games down and I just don’t know if it will be enough. We’re on a B2B too. Have to wonder how much fight they have in them. They looked great against the Preds when it was 1-1 and they won on the bounce back on a B2B. However I felt yesterday we’d get maximum effort and I am not so sure about today.
If Coyotes pull it out or fight hard then good for them. I wasn’t super impressed by the Avs performance yesterday however I’ll go with Avs in Regulation today. I just think yesterday was the game the Coyotes had to win.
Scott: Well they played yesterday and it was the Avalanche winning again. The Coyotes did manage to score twice and it was tied at 2 heading into the 3rd. The Avs scored late to take the 3-2 lead and held on for the win.
Now that the Coyotes have scored and it was a much closer game than game 1 was, I see the Avalanche having a big game to remind not only the Coyotes but the rest of the NHL that they are a contender.
Avalanche win in regulation
Canada: 1.91 Odds at 888 Sports.
USA: -120 Odds at Bovada.
Everyone Else: 1.91 Odds at 888 Sports.
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/15 8:06:40 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Lightning vs Blue Jackets Betting Tips:
Graeme: I backed Tampa in the last game as I felt they could carry the momentum. That was not true at all as the Jackets beat them 3-1. Now the Jackets, who went to 5 overtimes in Game 1 and won in Game 2, are big underdogs? C’mon just by math alone this one is easier than if the Coyotes were 10.00 odds yesterday. If the bookies stick to this price I’ll likely bet the Jackets side of things the entire way through. Games could be tight so we’ll go with:
Jackets or Draw if Korpisalo is in net
Canada: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
USA: -115 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/15 8:06:40 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Scott: Korpisalo has been amazing for the Jackets. In that crazy game 1 where he made 85 saves, he had another 36 in game 2. The Lightning need to find a way to get to him.
I’m going to take the Lightning in game 3. The Jackets have been incredible and could very well win this series but I still like the Lightning to come out winners and move onto the next round. Not great odds for a Lightning win including OT and not confident enough in regulation.
This series is due for a high scoring game so why not go with that.
Over 5 including OT
Canada: 1.77 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: -130 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.77 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/15 8:06:40 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Knights vs Blackhawks Betting Tips:
Graeme: My over pick came in last time. Blackhawks forced OT with the Knights and played well but it wasn’t enough. It’s really a question of whether that loss will dishearten them or they’ll keep pushing.
It’s funny as I started thinking about the last time Blackhawks were down 2-0 in a series. “That was last year right…no wait the year bef…2017?? Seriously?” but yes that was when the Blackhawks were down 2-0 to the Preds. They got sweeped but played better in Game 3 at least.
I see no reason not to go with the over again. Knights seem to be good with delivering. You do have the worry of complacency from the Knights or lack of effort from the Hawks however based on the last game hopefully we don’t see that.
Over 6 incl OT
Canada: 1.90 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: -110 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.90 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/15 8:06:40 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Scott: The Knights are up 2-0 but at least the Hawks showed some life in game 2 taking it to overtime.
The Knights look like they could be a challenger for the Cup with the way they have played up to this point.
The Hawks may find a way to sneak out a win at some point during this series but I don’t see it happening in game 3 unless Toews can wake up. Kane had 3 assists in the last game but the Hawks need all hands on deck to have a chance.
Knights win in regulation
Canada: 1.82 Odds at 888 Sports.
USA: -135 Odds atBovada. It’s likely BetOnline. will be -130 but no odds up at time of posting.
Everyone Else: 1.82 Odds at 888 Sports.
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/15 8:06:40 AM EST but are subject to change.)
