Thursday’s NHL Game Recaps
Moneyline and Puck Line Bettors Get Pummeled Thursday Night on The Ice
We look back at last night’s NHL betting odds and quickly notice that the books had themselves another profitable night after more big-time favorites fell. NHL betting is the most challenging sport to master because you’re dealing with massive money lines, unpredictable puck movement, and a game that relies so much on sharp goaltending.
Last night, the higher percentage dollars bet on the moneyline lost four of the six decisions, handing books a profit of $419 based on $100 wagers. That’s what happens when the betting public is on -225 favorites that lose outright. The puck line proved worse of the higher percentage of money wagered lost 7 of the 9 games (no PL dollar percentage reported in the Penguins, Lighting match-up), providing another $500 profit to the house.
The players had a small measure of success when six of the 10 totals fell the public way (+$100). Let’s continue our Thursday’s NHL Games’ Recap by looking at a few key games for the book, followed by an update on where the players stand against the house heading toward today’s trade deadline.
Betting Public Crossed Their Fingers and Lost With Sabres
It never fails, the Joes see a goaltender that is perceived to be the backup and go the opposite way. That happened last night when Jeremy Swayman got the start for the Boston Bruins against the Buffalo Sabres who were getting a generous +240. Of course, Swayman went on to stop 26 of the Sabres 27 shots as Boston put Buffalo in their place, 7-1.
This game received the fifth most wagers overall, so with 84% of the moneyline bets coming in on Buffalo across all platforms. There were plenty of unhappy customers when the final horn went off after the Bruins scored five times in the third to blow a 2-1 game open. This isn’t the old days when there used to be a major drop-off between the first and second-string goaltenders, especially when we’re talking about a team like the Boston Bruins who will win the Corsi battle on most nights which takes much of the pressure off their goaltending.
Panthers Disappoint Once Again
The Florida Panthers continue to be neck in neck with the Calgary Flames as this season’s biggest failures after winning the Presidents Trophy last season. Bettors were encouraged by a 4-1 win at Tampa to end the month of February, but March just added to a trend that has bettors baffled.
Last night’s loss was the ninth straight game Florida had rotated results. Beforehand, Florida won as a -415 favorite against the Anaheim Ducks but washed that down with a 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres as a -190 favorite. This season, Florida has lost $100 moneyline bettors $1266, with only San Jose (-$1893) and Flames (-$1764) showing worse results.
Behind 64% of the moneyline wagers, Florida went off as a -225 favorite after opening at -165. Let’s finish up our Thursday’s NHL Games’ Recap by looking at where the public stands against the books and what teams are the strongest heading forward.
Bookmakers Continue to Add to Profitable 22-23
This season the bookmakers have lost the majority of games wagered against the moneyline, but huge favorites are the great equalizer that the public can’t stay away from. Through Thursday, the betting public is 574-397 (.591) when factoring in which side receives the higher percentage of money wagered.
That still isn’t good enough to overcome a large moneyline as the books are up $4618 based on a $100 wager. When getting 75% or more public support the books are up $4415 despite the Joes winning 216 of the 361 games (.598). To conclude our Thursday’s NHL Games’ Recap, we can’t stress enough that in order to have a fighting chance to beat the books this Spring, you must find games that are at least -150 or below and stay away from what the public thinks.
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