Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.
One of the Toronto Blue Jays’ hottest hitters finds his way onto my betslip today.
The pregame narrative: Ernie Clement is on a tear and is a nice pick to top his bases prop against a very beatable pitcher. Additionally, I like the over in a pitching matchup that lacks any sort of high-end talent.
Check out the best Blue Jays picks vs. the Athletics on Aug. 10.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is firmly in the spotlight for Toronto and rightfully so.
He’s top 20 in home runs (23), RBI (76), average (.323), on-base percentage (.395), SLG (.551) and OPS (.946). Those numbers earn you some MVP buzz most years, but not in 2024 with Aaron Judge dominating the race.
Other than that, there have been few bright spots on this squad, but Clement is one of them.
The versatile infielder is batting an impressive .274 on the campaign and those numbers are rising sharply. He’s batting .300 over the last month of the season with six doubles.
He’s staring down a plus matchup on Saturday against Oakland starter Osvaldo Bido.
Bido pairs a 4.64 ERA with a 4.08 FIP and he’s struggling ahead of this contest. His last two contests have turned out poorly as he’s allowed nine runs and a .316 batting average across his 9.2 innings pitched.
Clement delivered three hits in the series opener against Oakland and I expect another strong showing on Saturday.
Key stat: Clement has usurped 1.5 total bases in seven of his last 14 games.
Quick pick
Over 9 runs (-103): A Bido vs. Yariel Rodríguez matchup doesn’t scream pitcher’s duel.
Bido isn’t pitching well ahead of this contest and his year-long numbers aren’t blowing anybody away. The over on this total has cashed in three of his last four outings and six of 10 overall this season.
The Athletics and their opponents are averaging 10.5 runs per game when he takes the mound.
Yariel Rodriguez’s numbers aren’t bad at all (3.86 ERA, 3.69 FIP) but there’s a caveat; he doesn’t typically pitch deep into games.
Rodriguez has only pitched past the fifth inning in three of his last 11 starts. That means Toronto typically has to turn to its bullpen when he’s on the mound and that’s a major problem.
The Blue Jays have the second-worst bullpen ERA (5.11) in all of baseball, only placing above the lowly Colorado Rockies (5.56).
Toronto has pushed or gone over this total in four of his last five starts.
When looking to wager on a baseball game, understanding MLB betting weather factors is important.
Arena sports like the NHL and NBA don’t require weather research, but baseball is different. The elements can play a pivotal role in a game, which is why bettors need to be aware of its status.
-> New to MLB wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
-> New to MLB wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
In this guide, we’ll explain the ways weather can affect a game, and how to handicap weather in MLB betting.
How to handicap precipitation in MLB betting
Unlike any of the other major-four North American sports, MLB is the only league that will routinely postpone or delay games due to inclement weather. When determining how to handicap weather in MLB betting, it’s extremely important to make sure that snow, and more commonly rain, won’t cause a game to be rescheduled.
Checking out the local weather for the game prior to placing a wager will allow you to have a better understanding of the elements that can potentially wreak havoc on a contest.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily MLB markets.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and daily MLB markets.
Wind in MLB betting
Wind has proven to be a very important factor for bettors to take into consideration when wagering on baseball.
Specifically, wind can affect game totals. If wind is blowing outwards, the ball is more likely to travel out of the park. Conversely, if the wind is blowing inwards, it’s more likely that the ball will stay in play.
The ballpark that best illustrates the effects of wind is Wrigley Field. In service since 1914, Wrigley Field is unique compared to other ballparks because its construction allows a lot of wind in. Therefore, wind direction has had a strong correlation on over/unders.
Wrigley Field is a unique ballpark for bettors to consider when making a bet. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/AP
From 2005-21, overs in games where there was substantial wind blowing outward hit with a record of 77-44-4. Comparatively, unders in contests where there was significant wind blowing inward had a record of 99-69-12, according to The Action Network.
How to handicap temperature in MLB betting
Temperature is another element that can effect MLB scoring.
In the journal, The Impact of Temperature on Major League Baseball, it was discovered that “runs scored, batting average, slugging percentage, and home runs show significant increases” in warm weather as opposed to cold weather. Additionally, walk rates decrease dramatically in warm weather compared to cold weather. Consequently, runs scored in warm-weather games averaged 10.08 per game while cold weather games averaged 8.95.
It’s important to be mindful of what the temperature forecast for a game is prior to placing a wager considering the clear correlation between run totals and temperature.
Warning: Don’t overreact
While weather can drastically alter the betting outlook for any given game it’s important to avoid overreacting to weather.
-> Experience live MLB betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every pitch
-> Experience live MLB betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every pitch
It’s fair to assume that weather conditions are baked into betting lines to some extent. Despite the correlation between warm weather and runs, there hasn’t been much of an edge for overs bettors in warm weather.
Additionally, under bets haven’t been an overly profitable venture in cold weather contests.
While weather will certainly impact your MLB bets, it is just one of many factors to consider.
-> Ready to put your MLB knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your MLB knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
An autumn Saturday presents a great opportunity to bet on college football. Games are plentiful, and all fans (even the new ones) will find a number of exciting ways to wager on the action.
If you’ve only casually followed college football, it may be overwhelming at first glance. Across 10 NCAA Division I FBS conferences and independents, you’ll find 130 teams — that’s a lot to sift through.
-> New to CFB wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season
-> New to CFB wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season
For those interested in trying out college football betting for the first time, or learning more, here are some things to know.
How to bet on college football
As mentioned above, there are 10 FBS conferences, but not all are viewed equally. There are five conferences atop the D-I food chain: the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big Ten (B10), the Big 12 (B12), the Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12), and the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
That quintet of conferences is referred to as the “Power Five,” and it’s typically filled with the most talented teams.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and weekly CFB markets
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and weekly CFB markets
How to bet on college football moneylines
Placing a moneyline wager is the simplest way to bet on college football. In short, a moneyline bet means picking the outright winner of a given game — regardless of the margin of victory, or whether the game goes to overtime. Every game features an underdog and a favourite. The underdog will have a plus (+) symbol accompanying its odds, while the favourite will have a minus (-) symbol.
Georgia squared off against Alabama in the National Championship. Photo by Darron Cummings/AP
The 2022 CFP title game, between Alabama and Georgia, exemplifies a matchup of two evenly-matched teams. The Crimson Tide were a slight underdog against the Bulldogs, as the odds indicate:
Alabama (+115) vs. Georgia (-135)
-> Want to see current CFB moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to see current CFB moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
With those odds, here’s what the payout structure looked like:
Alabama (+115): A $100 wager on Alabama wins $115. Georgia (-135): A $135 wager on Georgia wins $100.
A successful $100 wager on Alabama would’ve paid out $115, while a successful $135 wager on Georgia paid out $100. Entering the game, both sides received sound value on the moneyline.
In some cases, however, the moneyline odds will be far less appealing. For example, when Alabama played New Mexico State — a lesser “Power Five” school — the Crimson Tide were a -10000 favourite. That means, in order to win $100, you would’ve had to place a $10,000 bet on the Crimson Tide. The Aggies were denoted as +1500 underdogs, and although a $100 wager would’ve won $1,500, the implied win probability (6.25 percent) was extremely low.
Considering the rather unappealing odds, this is an opportunity where you might be better off wagering on the point spread.
How to bet on college football point spreads – Example 1
Betting on the point spread is the most popular way to wager on college football.
A point spread is a designated number of points, assigned by the sportsbook, that either team must cover in order to win. Factors that affect the point spread include location (i.e., which team is at home?), injuries, hot/cold streaks, and more.
Sticking with our Alabama vs. New Mexico State example above, the point spread was a whopping 51.5 points in the Crimson Tide’s favour.
Sportsbooks present point spreads like this:
New Mexico State +51.5 (-110) vs. Alabama -51.5 (-110)
The +51.5 beside New Mexico State indicates that oddsmakers are giving the Aggies 51.5 points. In other words, if the Aggies lose by 51 points or fewer — or they win the game outright — they cover the spread and win the bet.
On the other hand, if Alabama wins by 52 points or more, it covers and wins the wager. The odds denoted for either side are -110, which means a $110 bet nets $100 in winnings. You might think 51.5 points seems like a hefty spread (and it is), but Alabama won 59-3 and covered anyway.
-> Ready to try spread betting?Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
-> Ready to try spread betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
How to bet on college football point spreads – Example 2
In the CFP title game between Alabama and Georgia, the point spread was much smaller. The Bulldogs were marked as 2.5 point favourites, with sportsbooks displaying the odds like this:
Alabama +2.5 (-110) vs. Georgia -2.5 (-110)
In this instance, the +2.5 next to Alabama meant sportsbooks were giving 2.5 points to the underdog Crimson Tide. Therefore, Alabama could lose within two points or win outright to cover and win the bet. Alternatively, the favoured Bulldogs (-2.5) needed to win by three or more points to cover and win the wager. Georgia won, 33-18, and covered easily.
In the lead-up to a game, sportsbooks may alter the point spread based on factors such as injuries and other personnel decisions (particularly as they relate to quarterbacks).
Additionally, most sportsbooks offer alternate lines to wager on. This allows you to bet on a point spread that’s different than the one listed in the standard market.
How to bet on college football totals
Totals are a way to bet on college football without betting directly on the outcome of a game. Betting on a game total means predicting whether the cumulative score will be greater or less than a specified total set by the sportsbook. Totals are sometimes listed as over/under, or O/U, but it all means the same thing.
As with spreads, totals are typically listed with -110 odds on either side. For the 2022 CFP national championship, the total was set at 53.5 points. Betting the over indicated a belief that both the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs would combine for 54 points or more. Betting the under, meanwhile, meant banking on the teams to combine for 53 points or fewer. In Georgia’s 33-18 win, the 51-point total meant that bets on the under were successful.
Sportsbooks also offer markets for team totals. A team total refers to the number of points an individual team will score in a game. As with a game total, you’ll either bet the over or under on the listed number.
College football commands a vast prop betting market, and that’s great news for all bettors. From margin of victory to the distance of the game’s shortest touchdown, you’ll find a nice selection of team props. There are player props too, which is what we’ll focus on.
If you were looking to wager on an Ohio State Buckeyes game, and you’re bullish about quarterback C.J. Stroud, you may look to target some of his props. Prop bets for Stroud, or any other quarterback would include the number of touchdown passes, pass attempts, completions, or passing yards. The sportsbook will list a total for each category, and you can bet on whether he’ll go over or under that total.
Player props are also available for positions such as running back and receiver. You can wager on the number of receiving yards, receptions, or touchdowns that Buckeyes receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will record, or how many carries, rushing yards, or touchdowns running back TreVeyon Henderson will tally.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was part of a stacked Ohio State Buckeye’s wide receiver room in 2021. Photo by John McCoy/AP
Most sportsbooks also offer anytime touchdown props, which allow you to wager on whether a player will record a touchdown in a game.
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers to passing yards and much more
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers to passing yards and much more
Futures
Futures bets typically involve wagering on an event that settles at a much later date. Some of the sneakiest value lies in futures markets — if you’re looking in the right places.
One of the most popular college football futures bets is the national championship winner. As soon as the CFP trophy is awarded, the odds for the following year are posted, and they remain open until the following year’s title game.
Futures odds change frequently as injuries occur and teams rise or fall in the national rankings. In the FBS, only four teams qualify for the CFP, so odds really shorten as the postseason nears.
Joe Burrow’s 2019 Heisman win was improbable considering his pre-season odds. Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP
Another popular futures market in college football is the Heisman Trophy winner. The Heisman is awarded to college football’s most outstanding player, and some surprising winners have emerged in recent years. In 2019, Louisiana State University’s Joe Burrow won the Heisman after having preseason odds as high as +20,000. A $100 wager on Burrow to win the award, at those odds, would’ve paid out $20,000. This market is also subject to quite a bit of fluctuation throughout the year.
A parlay consists of multiple bets on a single ticket. In order to win a parlay, every bet (or, “leg”) must win. If you have eight events on your parlay and only seven hit, you lose the parlay.
Parlays can include wagers from several markets and may look like this:
Ohio State -9.5 (-110) Michigan State +4.5 (-110) Clemson/Notre Dame U56.5total points(-110) Bijan Robinson O95.5 rushing yards (-115)
The combined odds on a parlay for these four events are +1200. If you placed a $100 wager on this parlay and all four legs won, you’d win $1,200 (but remember, one failed leg kills the parlay).
A ticket must have two or more events to be considered a parlay. These are attractive to some bettors for their large payouts, but it’s important to note that the likelihood of winning your bet decreases with each event added.
Some sportsbooks allow you to combine multiple events from one game to create a same-game parlay. For example, you could bet on the Buckeyes to cover the spread, Stroud to go over his passing yard total, and Smith-Njigba to score a touchdown.
Live betting refers to placing a bet on a college football game after it’s started. Popular live betting markets are moneylines, point spreads, and game totals.
After a college football game kicks off, lines for all of the above markets are subject to fluctuation based on how a game plays out. For example, Michigan may enter a game against Wisconsin as a 4.5-point favourite, but an early touchdown for the Badgers could shift the live-betting spread in their favour (e.g., Wisconsin -1.5).
-> Experience live CFB betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every drive
-> Experience live CFB betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every drive
It’s important to act quickly when you spot a favourable live-betting line, as the odds change constantly. A big offensive play or a turnover could alter the lines significantly, so be mindful of that when looking at the lines.
There are more ways to bet on college football, such as teasers, which involve parlays on alternative spreads. You can read more about that in our guide on betting teasers.
-> Ready to put your CFB knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your CFB knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
The Winnipeg Jets have developed one of the NHL’s most passionate fan bases. Many of the team’s supporters are probably wondering how to bet on the Jets.
Routinely being in the playoff hunt behind stars like Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey has helped the franchise grow a solid following.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
There are several different ways to bet on the Jets every night they play, whether you are looking to wager on a win or for Connor to score. We’ll break down the best options in this Jets betting guide.
How to bet on the Jets
When looking to wager on the Jets, you’ll notice a number of different offerings made available to you. Before placing that bet, there will be a number of factors you will have to consider, such as the opponent, location, trends and injuries.
They can all influence what you ultimately decide to bet on. Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to help.
We’ll examine some of the most popular betting markets, starting with the moneyline, and offer tips for betting on the Jets.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is a great option for betting on Winnipeg if you think it will win a game.
Simply put, a successful moneyline wager involves backing the team that wins the game. As a result, the winner of a moneyline bet can win the contest by any margin of victory — in regulation, overtime, or a shootout.
In every moneyline bet, there will be an underdog and a favourite. The underdog will have a plus (+) symbol in front of its odds and the favourite will have a minus (-) sign.
Winnipeg’s status as an underdog or a favourite will largely depend on location and opponent. For example, in a home game against the San Jose Sharks, the Jets would be sizeable favourites. In a home game against the Nashville Predators, however, Winnipeg would likely be a smaller favourite.
On the other hand, in a road game against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Jets would assume underdog status.
Photo by Adam Hunger/AP.
Using the above examples, the odds could look something like this:
Sharks (+185) vs. Jets (-220) Predators (+120) vs. Jets (-140) Jets (+190) vs. Golden Knights (-230)
-> Want to see current Jets moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to see current Jets moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
The payout structure for a bet on the Jets at those odds looks like this:
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
To win
-220
68.75%
$220
$100
-140
58.33%
$140
$100
+190
34.48%
$100
$190
Of these matchups, the most sensible moneyline wager is the game against the Predators. A $140 bet on the Jets to win would return $100 and the implied win probability is at a respectable number.
In contrast, the San Jose game requires a loftier $220 wager to win $100. At -220 odds on a moneyline bet, the risk isn’t worth it.
The contest against the Golden Knights, meanwhile, isn’t horrible if you suspect an upset, but the implied win probability is low and is worth keeping in mind.
Both the Kraken and Golden Knights games could be better opportunities to bet the Jets on the puck line.
Puck line
In addition to moneyline betting, you’ll also have the option to bet on the puck line. The puck line differs from the moneyline, as instead of betting strictly on who wins, you’re now betting against a spread. Puck lines are typically set at 1.5, although they can be 2.5 or higher.
Continuing with the above examples, here’s how the puck lines for each Jets game could shake out:
Sharks +1.5 (-105) vs. Jets -1.5 (-115) Predators +1.5 (-210) vs. Jets -1.5 (+175) Jets +1.5 (-135) vs. Golden Knights -1.5 (+115)
The payouts for a bet on Winnipeg in these examples look like this:
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
To win
-115
53.49%
$115
$100
+175
36.36%
$100
$175
-135
57.45%
$135
$100
Each of these contests, but particularly the Sharks and Golden Knights games, presents the best opportunities to bet the puck line. In those two examples, the win probability is over 50%, and both only require a fairly reasonable wager in order to net $100 in winnings.
In the Pedators game, however, the moneyline makes more sense. Despite the increased payout on a puck line wager, the implied win probability drops more than 20%. Additionally, the moneyline only requires a $140 bet to win $100.
-> Ready to try puck line betting?Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily.
-> Ready to try puck line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily.
How to bet on Jets totals
Totals are a great way to bet on a game without wagering on the final result. Game total lines are typically set at 5.5 or 6.5 goals and you’ll be able to wager on whether the two teams will go over or under the total.
The totals market is also commonly listed as the over/under or O/U. All represent the same betting option and are generally listed at around -110 per side.
In a Jets game with a total of 5.5 goals, a successful bet to the over requires both the Jets and their opponent to score a combined six goals or more. A successful bet to the under, on the other hand, involves both squads scoring five goals or fewer.
Aside from betting on game totals, you’ll also have the option to wager on team totals.
These lines are typically set at 2.5 or 3.5 goals and you’ll have the option to either bet the over or under. If the line is set at 2.5 goals and you believe the Jets will go over their total, you’d bet the over. If you don’t believe the Jets will score more than two goals, you’d bet the under.
Similar to totals, props are another betting option that allows you to wager on something other than the final outcome of the game. The prop bet market is vast and can include events such as betting on which team will score two goals first, or the time of the first goal of the game.
Props also include player performances, and those are the ones we’ll focus on in this section.
Player props deal with a large number of options, including how many shots a player takes or whether or not someone will score a power-play point.
Additionally, you can wager on anytime goalscorers, which could be a great wager if you think Connor will score in Winnipeg’s upcoming contest.
You’ll be presented with the options of “first,” “last,” and “anytime” when going to bet on his goalscorer prop. The first and last refer to whether Connor will score the first or last goal of the game.
The odds that Connor will score the first goal of the game typically sit near +400. A $100 wager on him to score first would produce a potential return of $400.
The odds that Connor will score the last goal of the game will likely be around +500. Therefore, a $100 wager on Connor to score the last goal would net $500.
If you want to wager on Connor scoring at any point of the game, however, his odds for that are usually set around +100, meaning a $100 wager wins $100.
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
Parlays and more
A parlay bet involves wagering on multiple events on a single ticket. The more events added, the more your chances of winning decrease.
The whole ticket is lost if one leg (another word for event) of the parlay loses.
You could create a parlay that involves the Jets as well as two other NHL teams to win. But you can also make a same-game parlay.
You may believe that Winnipeg is a strong play on the moneyline against that Ducks, that the game will go under 6.5 goals and that Connor will score a goal. You could wager on all three events separately and the odds would be presented like this:
But if you were to turn this into an SGP bet, the odds would look something like this:
Winnipeg moneyline, Sharks/Jets under 6.5 goals, Kyle Connoranytime goalscorer (+554).
Evidently, the odds for this SGP are much higher than the odds for each individual event. As noted, the implied win probability for this bet type is much lower than wagering on a single event.
As a result, the odds reflect the likelihood of the event occurring. Multiple-event parlays are enticing to bettors, though, because of the potential return on investment.
There are more ways to get in on Jets action through live betting and the futures market (where you can pick Winnipeg to win the division or Connor Hellebuyck to win the Vezina Trophy).
-> Ready to put your Jets knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your Jets knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
If you’re looking to add some intrigue to an upcoming Vancouver Canucks game, putting a little money down on the team may do the trick.
There are many different ways to bet on the Canucks every time they take the ice. You can bet on them to win or lose, wager on your favourite player prop or put a ticket together that has them included in a parlay.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
The options are plentiful, which we’ll break down below.
How to bet on the Canucks
You’ll be presented with a number of different options when you go to place a bet on Vancouver. In addition to all of the offerings, you should be mindful of several factors including the opponent, location, trends, injuries and the odds.
We’ll take a look at all of that, explain what the main betting markets are and offer tips for how you can make smarter wagers on the Canucks.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
Moneyline
If you think the Canucks will win their next game, then you may want to consider making a moneyline (ML) wager.
A moneyline bet involves backing the team you believe will win the contest. You will win your bet if you correctly pick the winner.
The margin of victory, or whether it’s decided in regulation, overtime or a shootout, doesn’t matter. You will see one team in the matchup labelled as a favourite and the other as an underdog.
The favourite will be marked with a minus (-) symbol in front of its odds and the underdog will have a plus (+) symbol.
-> Want to see current Canucks moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to see current Canucks moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
Vancouver’s status for any given game will largely depend on the opponent and location.
The Canucks, for example, would be a favourite in a home game against the San Jose Sharks. But Vancouver would be an underdog if it hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It would also be an underdog on the road against the Calgary Flames.
Moneyline odds
Here’s an example of how the odds could look for those hypothetical matchups:
Sharks (+185) vs. Canucks (-225) Maple Leafs (-275) vs. Canucks (+225) Canucks (+195) vs. Flames (-225)
In these three instances, the payout structure for a bet on the Canucks would look like this:
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
To win
-225
69.23%
$225
$100
+225
30.77%
$100
$225
+160
38.46%
$100
$195
Which moneyline bet makes the most sense? That would be the Flames contest and it largely has to do with the value.
There’s little value to be found in the Kraken matchup despite the high implied win probability. You’d have to wager $225 to win $100 and since upsets happen all the time, the risk isn’t worth the reward.
The Toronto matchup would generate a strong return but the Canucks’ perceived chances of winning are rightfully low. The Maple Leafs are a significantly better team and you shouldn’t simply chase a big payout. But context is important.
That brings us to the Flames game.
This matchup presents a nice combination of payout and win probability. A $100 stake nets $160 and has a respectable 38.46% implied win probability. Vancouver would be far from a long shot under this scenario.
While betting on the moneyline against Toronto and Seattle may not be the best option, these could present better opportunities to bet on the puck line.
Puck line
In addition to wagering on a moneyline, you’ll also have an opportunity to bet on the puck line. Unlike a moneyline bet, placing a wager on a puck line involves betting against a point spread.
Puck lines are typically set at 1.5 goals, but some come in at 2.5 goals or higher. There are odds listed with each puck line that reflect the probability of the event occurring and the potential earnings that could be made.
Here are some puck line examples, using the same matchups from above:
Sharks +1.5 (-130) vs. Canucks -1.5 (+110) Maple Leafs -1.5 (-110) vs. Canucks +1.5 (-110) Canucks +1.5 (-180) vs. Flames -1.5 (+160)
In the Sharks example, the -1.5 next to the Canucks indicates that the oddsmakers are subtracting 1.5 goals from Vancouver’s final score. Therefore, in order to cover the spread, the Canucks would have to defeat Seattle by two goals or more.
The Canucks, on the other hand, would be awarded 1.5 goals by the oddsmakers for both the Flames and Leafs games. That means Vancouver could lose either game by a goal or win outright to cover the spread.
-> Ready to try puck line betting?Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
-> Ready to try puck line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
Puck line wagers
Here’s what each payout structure would look like for those puck line bets:
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
To win
+110
47.62%
$100
$110
-110
52.38%
$110
$100
-180
64.29%
$180
$100
Backing the Canucks in the San Jose and Toronto games makes the most sense for us here.
Unlike the moneyline wagers above, these games now have both a reasonable ROI and implied win probability. The puck line is a good bet if you think the Canucks will defeat the Sharks by two goals or more.
When comparing the moneyline to the puck line in the Oilers example, it’s more of a question of risk tolerance. If you prefer a lower wager and a higher payout, the moneyline makes more sense.
But if you’d rather have a higher implied win probability and were fine with a smaller payout, then a larger wager on the puck line could work.
How to bet on Canucks totals
If you’re looking for an option to wager on the Canucks that doesn’t involve betting on the final result, wagering on the totals market is an attractive choice.
Game totals refer to the number of goals scored in a contest. The totals are usually set at 5.5 or 6.5 goals. You’d have the option to wager on whether or not the two teams combine for more or fewer goals than that number.
You’d bet the over if you were confident in the Canucks and their opponent eclipsing the number — which we’ll say is 5.5 here. If you weren’t optimistic about them scoring more than five goals, you’d bet the under.
The totals market is also commonly labelled as the over/under and O/U. All of these terms mean the same thing.
You’ll also have the option to wager on team totals. Team totals refer to the number of goals an individual team will score in a game. This number is set lower than game totals.
Team totals are often 2.5 or 3.5 goals. If Vancouver’s team total for its upcoming game is 2.5 goals, a successful bet to the over requires the squad to score three-plus goals. A successful bet to the under involves the Canucks potting two goals or fewer.
Prop bets are another betting option that doesn’t require wagering on the final score of a game. Props can range from wagering on the time of the first goal to betting on the score of the game after the first period.
Player performances are another section that prop bets cover and we’ll focus on those here.
Player props can include wagering on the number of shots a player will take in a game, or if a player will record a goal, assist or power-play point.
For example, you could wager on Quinn Hughes recording an assist in an upcoming Canucks game.
Here’s an example of those odds:
Hughes 0.5 assists: Over (-120), Under (-105).
A successful $100 bet on Hughes going over 0.5 assists would generate a profit of $83.33. A successful $100 bet on Hughes going under 0.5 assists, on the other hand, would generate a profit of $95.24.
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
Parlays and more
You can wager on multiple events on a single ticket, which is known as a parlay. Although parlays can feature much larger payouts, they are also accompanied by a smaller win probability than single bets.
In other words, the odds of these bets being successful are much lower.
Every leg (another word for event) added to a parlay decreases the ticket’s chances of winning. The entire ticket is lost if one leg of the parlay is lost.
You can find pre-built parlays (sometimes known as specials) available for certain games, which would give you the option to place one wager on something like Vancouver’s moneyline, the game total and a player prop. You can also build your own same-game parlay.
This is how the odds could look for a same-game parlay bet.
Canucks moneyline, Canucks/Flames over 6.5, Hughes over 0.5 assists (+740).
The potential return for that SGP would be much higher than if you were to bet each event separately. Here’s an example of what those single-event odds would look like:
Canucks moneyline (+160) Canucks/Flames over 6.5 goals (-110) Hughes over 0.5 assists (-120)
The odds for a parlay will always be larger than individual events due to the heightened risk associated with the wager. That’s why sportsbooks compensate for the risk increase with inflated plus-money odds.
There are additional ways to get in on Canucks action with live betting and the futures market, where you can pick Vancouver to win the division or Hughes to win the Norris Trophy.
-> Ready to put your Canucks knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your Canucks knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
The Calgary Flames aren’t flashy, but they’re a tough out on most nights.
Their blend of skill and grit makes them a team most opponents loathe playing against. Nothing is given when going up against this team, and their style is something bettors should certainly keep in mind when looking to put down on a Flames game.
For those unsure of how to bet on the Flames, we’re here to help. We’ll review some of the different options available to you in this betting guide.
How to bet on the Flames
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to betting on the Flames. But there are a number of different factors you should focus on that may ultimately influence what you decide to bet on — whether that’s the Flames moneyline or a Jonathan Huberdeau scoring prop.
Those factors include the opponent, location, trends, injuries and the odds.
We’ll explore some of the most popular betting markets and offer advice on how to place the best wagers.
Moneyline
A moneyline (ML) bet is the most straightforward wager you can make on a hockey game. This type of bet involves picking the straight-up winner of a game.
You will win your moneyline bet if you correctly pick who comes out on top. The margin of victory or whether the contest ends in regulation, overtime or a shootout doesn’t matter.
The favourite for the game will have a minus (-) symbol in front of its odds and the underdog will be denoted with a plus (+) symbol.
Calgary grades out as a middle-of-the-pack team which means its status as a favourite or underdog is tied largely to opponent and location. The Flames would be a favourite in a home game against the Nashville Predators. Calgary would also be favoured if it hosted the Anaheim Ducks.
The Flames would likely be listed as an underdog, however, in a road tilt versus the Colorado Avalanche.
Moneyline odds
The odds for each of those hypothetical games would look something like this:
Predators (+160) vs. Flames (-180) Canucks (+170) vs. Flames (-200) Flames (+205) vs. Avalanche (-240)
Those odds tell us a few things, including who the favourite and underdog is. It also tells us what our sportsbook believes each of those teams’ chances of winning is in addition to how much you could profit on a successful bet.
Odds
Implied probability
Wager amount
To win
-180
64.29%
$180
$100
-200
66.67%
$200
$100
+205
32.79%
$100
$205
The Avalanche contest is the game that makes the most sense to place a moneyline wager on.
Although Calgary’s chances of winning are deemed lowest in that example, a 32.79% implied win probability is still roughly a one-in-three chance. The ROI is strong, too, as it would require a $100 wager to profit $205.
A moneyline bet may also be in consideration for the Predators game, as the implied win probability is fairly high and staking $180 to win $100 isn’t the worst. Though it is admittedly creeping into low-value territory.
We wouldn’t recommend an ML bet in the Ducks game. Staking $200 to win $100 isn’t a great bet to make. Therefore, in either of those contests, it may be a better opportunity to bet on the Flames puck line.
Puck line
In addition to making a moneyline bet, you’ll also have the option of wagering on the puck line. Unlike the moneyline, a puck line wager involves betting against a point spread.
Puck lines are typically set at 1.5 and can sometimes be 2.5 or higher. They are also accompanied by odds which reflect the potential payout for a successful puck line wager.
Continuing with the examples from the moneyline section, the puck lines for Flames games would look something like this:
Predators +1.5 (-155) vs. Flames -1.5 (+135) Ducks +1.5 (-140) vs. Flames -1.5 (+120) Flames +1.5 (-140) vs. Avalanche -1.5 (+120)
The -1.5 next to the Flames in the first two examples means that Calgary is the favourite and would have 1.5 goals subtracted from its total. In order to cover the puck line, Calgary would have to win the game by two goals or more.
Against the Avalanche, on the other hand, the +1.5 next to Calgary’s total represents its status as the underdog. Therefore, to cover the puck line in that game, the Flames could lose by a goal or win outright.
As a result, the payouts for a bet on Calgary in each instance would look like this:
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
To win
+135
42.55%
$100
$135
+120
45.45%
$100
$120
-140
58.33%
$140
$100
It makes much more sense to back Calgary on the puck line rather than the moneyline in the Predators and Ducks games.
Against Nashville, a $100 bet on the puck line wins $135 and has a respectable 42.55% implied win probability. Similarly, against Anaheim, a $100 wager nets $120 and has a 45.45% implied win probability.
Wagering on the puck line against Colorado isn’t a bad bet — a $140 stake wins $100. Opposed to the other games, however, the contest against Colorado presents a decent opportunity to wager on either the puck line or moneyline.
The decision on which one to select would ultimately come down to your risk tolerance.
How to bet on Flames totals
Aside from betting on the final result of a game, you can also wager on the number of goals scored in a game.
Game total lines are typically set at 5.5 or 6.5 goals, giving you the option to wager on whether the two teams will combine to go over or under the total.
Therefore, in a game against the Predators where the line is 6.5, a successful bet to the over requires the two sides to combine for six goals or more. A winning under wager needs both squads to team up for five goals or fewer.
Totals can also be presented as an over/under and O/U. All refer to the same market.
Additionally, betting on team totals is another option. Team totals are usually set at 2.5 or 3.5 goals and work similarly to game totals.
Instead of a combined total between two teams, you’ll wager on an individual team’s output.
For example, if Calgary’s team total is 2.5 goals and you believe it will score three or more goals, you’d take the over. You’d bet on the Flames under if you felt they would score two goals or fewer.
Totals are a great option for betting on a game, especially if you’re unsure of how the final will shake out.
How to bet on Flames props
Props, like totals, are another betting option that doesn’t deal with the outcome of the game. Prop bets can include wagering on which team will score the third goal of the game or whether the team that scores first will win.
Prop bets also centre around player performances, which is what we’ll focus on in this section.
A player prop can involve betting on whether a player will record a goal or assist, as well as the number of shots they’ll take in a contest.
For instance, if you believe Huberdeau will record an assist in the next Flames game, you could place a wager on his assist prop.
Huberdeau’s assist prop would look similar to this:
Huberdeau 0.5 assists: Over (-110), Under (-110).
Regardless of whether you bet on his over or under, a $110 wager wins $100 in this example. When looking to bet on Huberdeau’s assist prop, keep in mind both the odds and the opponent.
For any bet, the odds are important and there are some games that will provide a better opportunity to wager on a player prop.
Opponent goals allowed per game and scoring chances allowed per game are two key stats to monitor prior to placing your bet. The more goals and scoring chances an opponent allows likely means there will be more opportunities for Huberdeau to tally a helper.
Parlays and more
You can also wager on multiple events on one ticket, which is known as a parlay. A parlay could consist of a Flames puck line bet, in addition to picking two other NHL teams to win a game.
But you could also build a Flames-only version called a same-game parlay.
The issue with parlays is they significantly decrease your chances of winning with each event added, as just one loss on the ticket will result in the entire bet losing.
You get heightened odds for the increased risk you take on, leading to potential larger payouts. But it’s important to know that your chance of winning is largely lowered.
In an upcoming Oilers and Flames game, for instance, you may believe that Calgary will cover the puck line, that the contest will go over its game total and that Huberdeau will record an assist.
If you were to bet these three events individually, the odds would look something like this:
Flames puck line (+135) Oilers/Flames over 6.5 goals (-110) Huberdeau over 0.5 assists (-120)
The odds would look much different if you turned that into an SGP.
Flames puck line, Oilers/Flames over 5.5 goals, Huberdeau over 0.5 assists (+722).
The parlay would return a significantly larger payout than if you bet on each event individually. That’s due to the increased risk of having multiple events on it. Remember that if one leg loses, the whole ticket does as well.
But if you were to bet all three individually, the outcome of one event has no bearing on the result of another.
There are more ways to get in on Flames action through live betting and the futures market, where you can pick the Flames to win the Cup or Huberdeau to win the Hart Trophy.
There’s arguably no NHL team more exciting than the Edmonton Oilers.
The pure thrill of watching Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl has turned the squad into required viewing.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
When getting ready to watch the next Oilers game, you may be looking to bet on the team but don’t know how to do so. Don’t sweat — we have you covered.
How to bet on the Oilers
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to betting on the Oilers. That’s especially true with McDavid and Draisaitl in the fold, as they make Edmonton a threat to go off every time they take the ice.
But there are a number of different factors you should focus on that may ultimately influence what you decide to bet on. Those include the opponent, location, trends, injuries and the odds.
We’ll explore some of the most popular betting markets and offer advice on how to place the best wagers.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
Moneyline
If you like Edmonton’s chances of winning its upcoming game, then a moneyline (ML) bet may be for you.
A moneyline wager involves backing the team that you think will win the hockey game. Regardless of the score or whether it goes to overtime or shootout, the team that wins the game wins the moneyline bet.
The team deemed as the underdog will be presented with a plus (+) symbol in front of its odds. You will see a minus (-) symbol for the favourite.
Edmonton’s status for any game will typically depend on its opponent and the location of the contest. The Oilers would likely be a heavy favourite in a home game against the Montreal Canadiens and a smaller favourite when hosting the Calgary Flames, for example.
In a road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, however, the Oilers will find themselves labelled as an underdog.
-> Want to see current Oilers moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to see current Oilers moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
The odds for each of these contests would look something like this:
Senators (+240) vs. Oilers (-300) Flames (+135) vs. Oilers (-155) Oilers (+120) vs. Maple Leafs (-140)
Those odds tell us a few things, including who the favourite and underdog is. It also tells us what our sportsbook believes each of those teams’ chances of winning is in addition to how much you could profit on a successful bet.
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
To win
-300
75%
$300
$100
-155
60.78%
$155
$100
+120
45.45%
$100
$120
In the first example, it likely isn’t wise to place a moneyline wager on the Oilers. Although the implied win probability sits at 75%, a $300 wager only returns $100.
This game would be a better opportunity to bet on the Oilers puck line, which we’ll explain in our next section.
Knowing when to back the Oilers on the moneyline vs. the puck line is important. Photo by Jason Franson/The Canadian Press.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea, however, to place a moneyline bet on Edmonton in the second and third examples. Against the Flames, it requires a $155 wager to return $100.
As for the Leafs game, you would get a nice ROI if Edmonton pulled off the upset.
Puck line
Let’s start off with the Canadiens example and outline why the puck line is a better bet than the moneyline for this game. It all comes down to value.
Unlike a moneyline bet, a puck line will have a designated point spread accompanied by the selection. Puck lines are typically set at 1.5 goals, though the lines can occasionally be 2.5 goals or more. As a result, the odds will be different from the moneyline.
Here’s how the puck line odds could look for the games we listed above:
Canadiens +1.5 (+105) vs. Oilers -1.5 (-125) Flames +1.5 (-200) vs. Oilers -1.5 (+170) Oilers +1.5 (-195) vs. Maple Leafs -1.5 (+175)
For the first listings, the -1.5 next to Edmonton signifies that the team is being stripped of a goal and a half. Against the Canadiens and Flames, the Oilers would have to win by two goals or more to cover the puck line.
In other words: If you backed Edmonton to win on the puck line and they were only victorious by one goal, you would lose the bet.
The +1.5 next to Edmonton, on the other hand, means the Oilers are getting a goal and a half. That means Edmonton could lose the game by a goal or win outright and it would cover the puck line.
The payout structures for a bet on the Oilers from those examples would look like this:
Odds
Implied win probability
Wager amount
To win
-125
55.56%
$125
$100
+170
37.04%
$100
$170
-195
66.10%
$195
$100
The Canadiens game presents the best opportunity to wager on the puck line over the moneyline. Although the implied win probability drops from 75% to 55.56%, the amount wagered drops from $300 to $125 in order to win $100.
Finding that difference in value is important when placing bets.
In the second example, however, we’d recommend a bet on the moneyline. Considering it is much more difficult to win a game by two goals than one (especially against a team nearly equal to Edmonton in skill like Calgary), the moneyline presents a higher implied win probability and a solid return.
In the Maple Leafs example, the moneyline is a much better option as it’s rare to get Edmonton at plus-money odds in that market.
-> Ready to try puck line betting?Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
-> Ready to try puck line betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
How to bet on Oilers totals
There are ways to bet on an Oilers game without wagering on the final result. You can bet on game totals, which involves wagering on the number of goals scored in a game.
Game total lines are typically set at 5.5 or 6.5 goals. You can bet on whether the two teams will combine for more or fewer goals than the specified total.
Let’s use the Oilers and Maple Leafs game as an example. If the total is set at 6.5 goals and you believe the two sides will combine for seven goals or more, you’d place a bet on the over.
Photo by Jason Franson/The Canadian Press.
You’d bet the under if you believed the squads were more likely to combine for six goals or fewer.
Totals can also be presented as over/under or O/U, but they all refer to the same market.
Team totals are another option available to bet on. Rather than betting on the combined total of goals, team totals involve wagering on just one side’s goal total.
These lines are usually set at 2.5 or 3.5 goals, and you’d have the option to select the over or under on how many goals you believe the Oilers will score.
Similar to game totals, props offer another way to bet on a game that doesn’t directly involve the final score. Prop bets can vary from betting on which team will win more periods to which team will score the first goal.
Prop bets also involve player performance, which is what we’ll explore here.
Popular player props include whether or not a player will record a goal or assist, as well as the number of shots they will take in a game.
For instance, you may believe McDavid is a good bet to score a goal in an upcoming Oilers game. When going to place your bet on McDavid to score a goal, typically there’ll be three options to choose from: first, last and anytime.
First refers to McDavid scoring the first goal of the game, last represents the last goal of the game and anytime means you are betting on him to score at any point during the contest.
Photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP.
The implied probability of McDavid scoring the first or last goal of the game is obviously lower as there is only one first and last goal, therefore the odds reflect that. The implied probability of him scoring at any point during the game is much higher, and that’s priced into his odds.
Here’s how McDavid’s goal odds could look:
+700 to score the first goal (12.50% implied win probability): A $100 bet would win $700. +700 to score the last goal (12.50% implied win probability): A $100 bet would win $700. +100 to score anytime (50.00% implied win probability): A $100 bet would win $100.
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
Parlays and more
When you make multiple bets on one ticket, that’s known as a parlay.
Your chances of winning drop significantly with each event added to the ticket. If one leg (another name for event) loses, the entire ticket is toast.
Going back to the Oilers and Maple Leafs game as an example, you may believe that Edmonton will cover the puck line, McDavid will score a goal and the contest will go over 6.5 goals. You could decide to bet on each event individually or you may be offered a pre-built special that combines the three.
You may also be able to build your own same-game parlay.
Here’s what it would look like to bet those three examples individually:
Oilers +1.5 (-195) McDavid anytime goalscorer (+100) Over 6.5 total goals (-110)
This is how it would change if you combined the three events:
Oilers +1.5, McDavid anytime goalscorer, over 6.5 total goals (+477).
The listed odds for this parlay example are +477, while the odds for each individual bet sit at a much lower number. A successful $100 bet on this parlay would generate a profit of $477.
That’s nearly four times greater than all of those individual events at the same $100 stake. Again, that’s because correctly predicting multiple events on the same ticket is more difficult than getting just one right and, as a result, lowers the win probability.
There are more ways to get in on Oilers action through live betting and the futures market, where you can pick Edmonton to win the Cup or McDavid to win the Hart Trophy.
-> Ready to put your Oilers knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your Oilers knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
The NFL is the most-watched sport in North America and a heavy hitter among bettors.
Sundays present a great opportunity to place NFL wagers and enjoy loads of action. But there are some key factors to consider before locking in your bets. If you’re unsure of what to look for, you could be missing an important piece of information.
That’s why we’re here to help you avoid making rookie mistakes before placing your next football bet.
-> Want to bet NFL? Sign up at NorthStar Bets for all the latest odds, insights and betting tools for this NFL season
-> Want to bet NFL? Sign up at NorthStar Bets for all the latest odds, insights and betting tools for this NFL season
NFL betting strategies
When preparing for your next NFL bet, start by selecting a market to wager on. With moneylines, point spreads, totals, props and futures all available to you, narrowing the scope of your research to one betting market certainly helps.
We’ll examine a variety of markets and offer some advice on how to make NFL wagers.
Moneyline and point spread strategies
NFL = Not For Long
Perhaps the best piece of advice we can give is to say the NFL doesn’t always make sense. Some might argue that the league usually doesn’t make sense. Upsets are common and parity is plentiful.
What we mean by not for long is that an assumption you have about a team one week can be disproven the next.
Take the Cincinnati Bengals, for example. In Week 7 of the 2021 season, the Bengals dismantled the Baltimore Ravens 41-17 on the road to move into a tie with the Ravens atop the AFC North.
The following week, however, the Bengals fell to the lowly New York Jets, who deployed backup quarterback Mike White.
The Jets entered with a 1-5 record, and they’d been crushed 54-13 by the New England Patriots the week prior. In classic NFL fashion, the Bengals lost 34-31 and failed to cover the double-digit point spread.
The Bengals proved how quickly perceptions can change in the NFL. Photo by Noah K. Murray/AP.
As proven by Cincinnati’s run to the Super Bowl, the Bengals were worthy of hefty spreads against lesser opponents. What the Bengals-Jets game proved, though, is that anybody can beat anybody in the NFL.
-> Have any predictions for this NFL season? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
-> Have any predictions for this NFL season? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
Bank on the backup
It’s no secret that quarterbacks play the most important position in football. The best ones tend to play for the better teams, while the worst are generally found on bottom-feeders. But the precise value of a quarterback can be tough for oddsmakers to gauge.
In particular, bookies have struggled to properly weigh the value of starting QBs on playoff-calibre teams. Over the past three seasons, playoff teams have enjoyed great success against the spread (ATS) when starting backup quarterbacks (meaning a QB who wasn’t the designated starter to begin the season).
An example of this from last season would be the Week 9 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers was forced to miss the game and his absence moved the line from Chiefs -0.5 to Chiefs -7.5. The line shift to more than a touchdown proved to be an over adjustment by the books as Green Bay led entering the fourth quarter and ultimately covered the spread, losing 13-7.
Since 2019, backups on playoff teams own an astounding ATS record of 40-20.
These backup QBs went 7-4 in 2021, 16-10 in 2020, and 17-6 in 2019. The most notable quarterback from this span is Ryan Tannehill, who usurped Marcus Mariota in 2019.
-> Want to wager on quarterback prop bets? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to wager on quarterback prop bets? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
The Titans didn’t plan on Ryan Tannehill being the starter, but he stole the job and never gave it back. Photo by James Kenney/AP.
After receiving an opportunity to start in Week 7, Tannehill went 7-3 ATS in the regular season, and then 2-1 in the postseason.
Even without Tannehill’s 9-4 ATS record in 2019, all other backups went 8-2.
Back the ‘dog at home on Monday night
It’s not every week that you see a team catching points at home on Monday Night Football, but recent results suggest you should feel good about backing that side.
Since 2020, there have been 18 underdog hosts in Monday’s primetime matchup, and the home team has covered 13 times. On the moneyline, these underdogs own a respectable 7-11 record.
In fact, the largest Monday Night Football home underdog over the past two seasons, the Bengals (+14.5), defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Week 16 of 2020.
-> Have an underdog you think will win? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
-> Have an underdog you think will win? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
Late-season back-to-back weeks on the road
One situation we love to bet against is a team playing on the road for consecutive weeks — specifically during a later portion of the year. As the season rolls on, NFL players’ bumps and bruises really start to add up.
Travel adds another negative factor to that. In 2021, the NFL’s first 18-week season, most squads struggled when travelling for consecutive weeks.
From Week 9 onward, teams playing consecutive road matchups went 18-23 ATS in their second game. That number worsens to 14-23 without the San Francisco 49ers, who were perfect in four tries (including playoffs).
While that’s an incredible accomplishment for the Niners, it’s also a major outlier. Looking even later in the year, from Week 17 onward, teams playing in consecutive road games limped to a 4-12 record, with San Francisco earning three of those four covers during the postseason.
Don’t grow attached to one particular stat
With so many stats at your disposal, you’re bound to find numbers that either endorse or contradict a pick for any NFL game.
Any number you’re building into a game prediction has likely already been baked into the line. It won’t take you long to realize sportsbooks know what they’re doing.
One piece of advice is to have principles, but don’t get hung up on any of them.
Adaptability is crucial in sports betting. Yes, the trends mentioned above have succeeded over multiple seasons, but they could balance out at any time.
-> Think you have found the perfect bet? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
-> Think you have found the perfect bet? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
Totals
Team totals can be your friend
In games where there appears to be a major mismatch in offensive quality, consider betting a team total instead of the game total.
A good example of this was the Buffalo Bills’ Week 4 matchup in 2021 against the Houston Texans. Davis Mills, a rookie quarterback, was making just his second start, facing a Buffalo offence that had scored 78 points over its two previous games.
The game total was set at 46.5, while the Bills’ team total sat around 31.5 points. While it seemed likely that Buffalo’s offence would pile on the points, Houston’s offence seemed destined to falter.
Mills had led the Texans to only nine points the previous week, and besting the Bills’ defence was no small feat.
Josh Allen predictably carved up the Texans in Week 4 of the 2021 season. Photo by Adrian Kraus/AP
The game played out exactly as anticipated, as Buffalo throttled Houston, 40-0. Those who bet the over on the Bills’ total were thrilled, but those who took the over for the game total came up empty.
-> Want all the tools and markets available? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets and get all the information you need
-> Want all the tools and markets available? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets and get all the information you need
Unders aren’t cool, but they’re profitable
Betting overs and rooting for points might be the fun thing to do — after all, the over is never dead — but it hasn’t been profitable in recent years.
Since 2017, just eight NFL teams have a game-total over percentage greater than 50%, according to Team Rankings. That’s just 25% of the league. Offence is on the rise around the NFL, but sportsbooks have caught on.
Just a few years ago, it was rare to see a game total of 50 points or more. Nowadays, bettors might see several on any given week.
NFL betting strategies for props
Let fantasy football be your friend
If you’re an avid fantasy football player but have very little exposure to the betting world, try some player props.
There’s a huge correlation in applicable research for fantasy football and player props, which makes them a great way to acclimate to the betting world.
Jaylen Waddle had some pretty stark splits with and without DeVante Parker. Photo by Wilfredo Lee/AP.
Think about the prep you do for your fantasy team: reviewing matchups, recent player performances, injuries, etc. All of that translates to player props.
When Miami Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker was absent, his teammate Jaylen Waddle caught seven-plus passes in five of seven games. When Parker suited up, Waddle only hit the seven-catch mark in three of nine outings.
Betting the over on Waddle’s receptions prop was enticing when Parker was out, while the under was wiser with Parker healthy.
-> Are you a fantasy football player wanting to try your hand at wagering NFL games? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
-> Are you a fantasy football player wanting to try your hand at wagering NFL games? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets
Consider game flow
Game flow, or game script, is an important factor for prop bets such as QB passing yards. Game flow simply refers to the expectation of how a game will be played. Will it be a shootout or a defensive struggle?
One trait to consider with QB yardage props is whether a pair of top-10 passing yard leaders are in the game. If so, strongly consider taking the over on either player’s yardage. We’ve found that elite QB opposition is predictive of high-yardage totals — more so than poor defences.
Tom Brady led the NFL in passing yards in 2021, and he topped 300 yards in all four matchups against fellow top-10 passers: 379 yards in Week 1 vs. the Dallas Cowboys, 432 yards in Week 3 vs. the Los Angeles Rams, 363 yards in Week 14 vs. the Bills and 329 yards vs. the Rams in the playoffs.
Remember that Brady stat when the 2022 season gets underway. Photo by Rusty Jones/AP.
Poor quarterback opposition, meanwhile, presents an opportunity to bet the under. Brady’s five-lowest passing totals from 2021 came against the Chicago Bears (211 yards), New Orleans Saints (214), Washington Football Team (220), Indianapolis Colts (226) and Carolina Panthers (232).
The NFL is primarily a passing league, but Brady didn’t need to do as much when facing a mediocre QB.
-> Fan of the NFL? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets for all the latest news, odds and more
-> Fan of the NFL? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets for all the latest news, odds and more
NFL futures betting strategies
Be conscious of divisions
More than any other sport, divisions serve an important role in shaping the NFL. Teams play six of 17 games against divisional foes, and the strength of their division can really affect win totals or Super Bowl odds.
In the case of 2021’s conference leaders, the Tennessee Titans and Packers, both teams benefitted from playing in ultra-easy divisions. Of Tennessee’s 12 wins, five came against teams in the dreadful AFC South. The four teams in that division combined for a league-low 28 wins.
The Packers, on the other hand, benefitted from a weak NFC North, which combined for a conference-worst 30 wins. Green Bay banked four victories against its divisional rivals.
Both the Packers and Titans blew past their pre-season win totals thanks to the lack of competitiveness from their respective divisions.
NFL live betting
Fade the first-drive touchdown
Coaches usually have a script of plays to use on their opening offensive drive, which is intended to provide rhythm for the offence and get a feel for the opponent’s defensive plans.
But defences make adjustments throughout a game and sometimes that makes it harder for an offence to reach the end zone again. When teams score a touchdown on the first drive, the live-betting odds are greatly affected.
The spread, moneyline and total all drastically shift, creating an opportunity to buy in at inflated odds if you’re still rooted in your pregame convictions. For more on live betting, check out some examples in our betting explainer on how to make in-game wagers.
-> NFL action already underway? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets to place a bet on a game already in progress
-> NFL action already underway? Sign up here at NorthStar Bets to place a bet on a game already in progress
It has been a long time since Bills Mafia members could feel this good about their team. Despite ending last season with a tough loss in the AFC divisional round, the Buffalo Bills are on the upswing.
Behind Josh Allen’s rocket arm, the Bills have emerged as one of the NFL’s top teams. In this guide, we’ll explain how to bet on the Bills so you’re ready for the next time they take the field.
-> New to NFL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights, and betting tools throughout the season.
-> New to NFL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights, and betting tools throughout the season.
How to bet on the Bills
When you go to bet on the Bills, you’ll see a wide variety of betting options presented. Several factors should influence your wager, including the opponent, location, recent trends and injuries.
We’ll review the most common betting markets that are offered and share strategies for finding the best value when betting on the Bills.
Moneyline
A moneyline (ML) bet is a great way to wager on the Bills if you believe they’ll win the game outright. A successful moneyline bet on Buffalo, or any team, only requires that team to win the game. Wins in regulation or overtime — and by any margin — are applicable.
Sportsbooks will either list the Bills as a favourite or underdog in each game. The odds reflect that favourite/underdog status: a minus (-) symbol indicates Buffalo as the favourite, while a plus (+) symbol indicates an underdog.
Given their recent track record, the Bills will often be favourites. Their moneyline odds would change dramatically in a home game against the New York Jets compared to, say, the New England Patriots. Against the Jets, we’d expect the Bills to be heavier home favourites.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and weekly NFL markets
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and weekly NFL markets
On the road against a top-tier opponent, like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo will likely be the underdog. That was the case for its January 2022 playoff loss to Kansas City.
Here’s how the odds would look in each matchup:
Patriots (+195) vs. Bills (-244) Jets (+465) vs. Bills (-675) Bills (+110) vs. Chiefs (-130)
The odds indicate your potential return, as well as the implied probability of each team’s chance to win. Here’s how the game odds would translate if you backed Buffalo each time.
Odds
Wager
Win
Probability
-244
$244
$100
70.93%
-675
$675
$100
87.10%
+110
$100
$110
47.62%
As shown above, the Bills typically have a solid chance to win. But that doesn’t mean they’re always a strong play on the moneyline.
In the Jets example, you’d have to wager $675 on Buffalo just to win $100. While the Bills would be unlikely to lose straight up, given their 90% implied win probability, the reward may not be worth the risk for a bettor considering upsets happen all the time.
In the Patriots example, a bettor would have to wager $244 to win $100.
The Chiefs example shows what the odds were set at ahead of Buffalo’s heartbreaking loss in last year’s playoffs. Even though the Bills ultimately lost, they gave bettors strong moneyline value, with a $100 wager netting $110.
In instances like the Jets and Patriots games, where you want to back your favourite team and see a healthy return on your wager, betting the point spread is often the better option.
-> Want to see current NFL moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to see current NFL moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
Point spread betting
Unlike moneyline wagers, in which you pick a straight-up winner, point spread bets involve margins of victory and defeat. If you pick an underdog, you’ll cover if that team wins outright or loses within a specified total.
Let’s go back to the Bills/Jets scenario from above. It makes more sense to pick Buffalo against the spread (ATS) rather than on the moneyline if you think the Bills will rout the Jets.
On the moneyline, the Bills are a -675 favourite in that example. On the point spread, however, Buffalo might be favoured to win by 12.5 points (-12.5). The increased difficulty of beating a team by 13 points instead of just one point alters the odds significantly.
Most spreads are accompanied by identical odds (-110) and look like this:
Jets +12.5 (-110) Bills -12.5 (-110)
If you select the Bills, you’ll need them to win by 13 points or more. But if you pick the Jets, they’ll need to win outright or lose by fewer than 13 points for your bet to cash.
The risk of betting the Bills here is much greater than it would be on the moneyline, but the return on your investment also takes a massive leap.
A $100 wager on a -675 moneyline would yield just $14.91. A $100 wager on a -110 point spread, on the other hand, would yield $90.91. Against an inferior Jets team, we can see how the reward of a point spread wager would be worth the risk.
-> Ready to try spread betting?Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
-> Ready to try spread betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily
Alternative spreads
Depending on your confidence level in a point spread wager, betting on an alternative spread is also an option. In addition to the 12.5-point spread for the Bills/Jets game, sportsbooks will offer other lines on both sides of that number.
You can decide whether you want to lay more or fewer points with the Bills. The odds will expand or shrink accordingly.
When betting on football, there are key numbers such as three and seven that reflect common margins of victory. Therefore, if you want to avoid laying more than a touchdown or field goal, you can select alternative point spreads that let you do just that.
Prior to making your point spread or totals bet, check out how a team has fared historically. Many sites track ATS records and over/under totals. It doesn’t hurt to see how a team performs against the number before placing a wager.
Totals
A totals bet involves betting on the total points in a game. This may involve wagering on the cumulative score for two teams or the score for one team individually.
Totals are referred to as the over/under (or O/U). It all means the same thing.
Continuing with the Bills/Jets example, let’s say the total for this matchup is set at 43.5 points. Both over/under options typically see -110 odds, just like the point spread.
For this market, a winning bet on the over requires the teams to combine for at least 44 points. A winning bet on the under requires a combined score of 43 points or fewer.
Both teams’ totals, meanwhile, will be set at lower marks than the game total. Buffalo’s team total against the Jets could be set at 27.5. To cover the over, the Bills would need to score 28 points or more. On the other hand, Buffalo would need to score fewer than 28 points for the under to win.
Props provide another way to play, but this betting type doesn’t involve picking the game’s winner or loser.
The prop market includes items for teams (which team will score 10 points first?) and players (will Player X score a touchdown during the game?).
Bills player props will be our focus here. Touchdown scorers are common player props and there are several variations at a bettor’s disposal.
If you don’t want to bet on the outcome of a Bills game, you can turn to the prop market instead. Photo by Ed Zurga/AP.
The typical touchdown markets are for a player to score the first touchdown of a game, the last touchdown, or a touchdown anytime. Considering there’s only one first touchdown of a football game and one last touchdown, the odds in those markets typically provide huge payouts.
For a player like Josh Allen, the Bills’ star QB, touchdown scorer odds may look like this:
First touchdown (+1,000): A $100 bet would win $1,000. Last touchdown (+1,000): A $100 bet would win $1,000. Anytime touchdown (+140): A $100 bet would win $140.
In addition to touchdowns, player yards are another prop option bettors can wager on.
Sticking with Allen, you can wager on whether the QB will go over or under his passing yardage total for any contest. If Allen’s receiving total was set at 239.5 yards, a successful bet on the over would require Allen to throw for 240 yards or more. Any total below that amount would be a win for the under.
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers to passing yards and much more
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from TD scorers to passing yards and much more
Additionally, you can wager on running back and wide receiver props.
If the Bills host a team with a banged-up secondary, you may expect Allen to torch his opponent downfield. As a result, taking the over on the longest completion prop might be wise.
The odds on the over/under player totals may vary, featuring more juice on one of the options.
Parlays and specials
Some sportsbooks will also offer the option of betting on specials. A special may be built around one player or a number of outcomes that essentially make it a pre-built, same-game parlay.
An example of a commonly found special in football betting is a scorecast. A scorecast allows you to wager on which player will score a touchdown first in addition to wagering on the winning margin for a game.
Similarly, you can create an anytime scorecast in order to combine an anytime touchdown bet with the winning margin of the contest.
Suppose you bet on Dawson Knox to score a touchdown and the Bills to win by one-to-six points. For this anytime scorecast, the odds could be set at +900, which means a $100 wager would yield a $900 profit. If Knox failed to score a touchdown or the Bills didn’t win within the specified margin, however, the bet wouldn’t cash.
There are many other ways to bet on the Bills. Parlays and futures, as well as live betting, are among the additional popular NFL betting markets.
-> Ready to put your NHL knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your NHL knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
Betting on hockey can be tricky for someone who doesn’t have experience with the sport. But identifying a few key NHL betting strategies can make a world of difference.
There are 32 teams, hundreds of players and an endless amount of possible betting combinations any day there’s action. A look at the NHL odds board on a busy Saturday night may feel overwhelming to those new to the space.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
-> New to NHL wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Betsto get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.
That’s why we’re here to help you avoid making rookie mistakes before placing your next hockey bet.
NHL betting strategies
There are several elements to consider before handing over your money for an NHL wager. And the market you intend to bet on will affect what type of research you should conduct.
We’ll review the most popular betting markets and share some important tips so you’re more prepared when considering what event to spend your money on.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets accountto explore live odds and daily NHL markets.
Moneyline and puck line strategies
Who’s the goalie?
We can’t stress this point enough, but a good — or hot — goaltender can make all the difference. Goalies steal games all the time, as every hockey fan can attest. Monitoring roster announcements and viewing recent goalie matchups is vitally important to a bet.
Despite every bettor wishing NHL teams disclosed starting goalie information hours in advance, most teams often don’t. Instead, head coaches keep this decision confidential until shortly before puck drop to create a competitive advantage.
Beat reporters typically tweet info gathered throughout the day, such as which goalie exited the morning skate first or who’s practicing in the starter’s net. This is often the best way to scope out the info.
The New York Rangers are a significantly better team with Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. Photo by Frank Franklin II/AP.
Knowing who the starting goalies are is must-know information. The difference in quality between a starting goalie and a third-stringer can be the difference in a team being labelled as a favourite or underdog.
-> Want to see current NHL moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
-> Want to see current NHL moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets
Who’s playing?
Injuries impact the odds of all hockey games. When one or more top players are missing from a team, its chance of winning is negatively impacted, at least in theory.
For example, the Edmonton Oilers were 20-26-10 (.367 win percentage) without Connor McDavid through the end of the 2023-24 season, according to StatMuse. In the same span, the Oilers were 349-242-54 (.541).
If McDavid is slated to miss an upcoming game, betting against the Oilers could be a smart play.
What have you done for me lately?
The NHL schedule is compact, and teams don’t have much time between games to resolve issues. If a flaw is exposed or a team is struggling on special teams, those issues may persist for a string of games.
The Philadelphia Flyers provided an extreme example of this in January 2022. During a horrific 13-game losing streak that lasted nearly the full month, Philly was the only team to rank bottom-five in both power play and penalty kill percentage.
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a top-10 power play and penalty kill during a 10-game winning streak that same season.
Recent overall results are important to look at, but reviewing a club’s performance on special teams helps take things a step further. A particularly hot or cold power play or penalty kill could create an edge.
How to attack back-to-backs?
The schedule creates competitive advantages and disadvantages for NHL teams. In some cases, a team will play two games in as many nights, or three contests in four days. Fatigue may become a factor, which is usually incorporated into the odds.
A resource like the one provided by More Hockey Stats helps quantify the true disadvantage a team has playing in a back-to-back game.
Naturally, some teams handle the challenge better than others. Using this tool, you can determine when there’s a good opportunity to attack a team playing a game in consecutive nights.
NHL totals
Show me the goals
Totals don’t have to be complicated. Teams that typically score a lot of goals tend to go over, while teams that don’t allow or score a lot of goals tend to go under.
For example, the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild were three of the highest-scoring teams in the league in the 2021-22 season. It’s no coincidence that all three squads were among the top overs teams in the NHL, according to Scores and Odds.
The Florida Panthers possess one of the most lethal offences in the NHL. Photo by Lynne Sladky/AP.
When looking at under bets, it’s wise to target teams that don’t allow many goals.
The New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Hurricanes own some of the lowest goals-against rates this season. Unsurprisingly, they were among the top unders teams in the NHL.
Outside of the top goalscorers in the NHL, it’s hard to truly rely on anyone to score goals routinely. Sure, Auston Matthews and Nathan MacKinnon are going to score goals by the boatload, but how do you hit on players who have longer odds?
One thing to know about NHL players is that they tend to score in bunches. Take Kevin Fiala, for example. Of the winger’s first 20 goals in the 2021-22 season, eight came in a 10-game span from late December to the end of January.
What makes Fiala a great example to follow is his shooting percentage. Prior to that scoring outburst, the Swiss star had potted just four goals on an unsustainably low 4.3% shooting percentage, according to Hockey Reference.
When Fiala scored two goals against the Dallas Stars on Dec. 20, 2021, the games following that performance would’ve been the best time to start betting his goal prop.
Shooting percentages tend to hold fairly steady on a year-to-year basis, and a quick look at his career rate would’ve suggested a correction was coming. Entering the 2021-22 season, Fiala owned an 11.0% shooting percentage, which tells us that his 4.3% mark wasn’t destined to last much longer.
Knowing that goal scoring can be streaky and that shooting percentages don’t normally undergo mass fluctuations, it would’ve been wise to jump on Fiala’s goal props at the first sign of a breakthrough.
The Fiala example is applicable to other steady shooters who possess uncharacteristically low shooting percentages.
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
-> Check out the latest player props every day at NorthStar Bets – from betting goals, shots on goal and much more
Who are you playing with?
When looking at assist or point props, target players who play alongside elite talents. One such example is Jonathan Drouin.
Although Drouin isn’t a bad player in his own right, he undoubtedly benefits from playing alongside MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Knowing that he skates next to two of the best players in the league, Drouin becomes a much more attractive bet on all his player props.
The best market to take advantage of Drouin’s position in the lineup is his points prop.
Jonathan Drouin had a career-high 56 points in 2023-24, which was his first season skating alongside former QMJHL teammate Nathan MacKinnon. Photo by Stacy Bengs/AP.
MacKinnon and Rantanen are sometimes listed with a line of 1.5 points, while Drouin is typically listed at 0.5 points. If you think MacKinnon or Rantanen will reach the stat sheet at least once, there’s a decent possibility their linemate will, too.
With this in mind, it may be wiser to take Drouin at his prop than MacKinnon or Rantanen considering the correlation between the pair’s production.
NHL live betting
Underdogs and overs
If you made a story of my life regarding NHL betting strategies, a good title would be, “Underdogs and Overs.” Aside from being the name of my biopic that’ll never be made, it’s a good mantra for live betting totals.
When betting overs, typically you want to back teams that feature high-powered offences. The issue that sometimes arises in their games, however, is their opponent can’t keep up. In these instances, sometimes you lose your bet because the final score is 4-1 or 5-1 when the total is 5.5 or 6.5 goals.
Live betting allows you to see how the game plays out in order to react to it in real time.
For example, let’s say the Panthers and their highly skilled offence are playing against the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks score the game’s only goal through the first 15 minutes, which bumps the total down from 6.5 to 5.5 goals.
Once this happens, bettors should look to back the over for two reasons.
A 5.5-goal line in a game involving Florida, one of the league’s highest-scoring teams, is great value. Additionally, San Jose’s early marker was a positive indicator to suggest it could score enough to push this game over.
The Panthers’ slow start shouldn’t deter bettors because they score a lot of goals. The Sharks are the less reliable side, but an early goal from them as underdogs is a great development for an over.
-> Experience live NHL betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every period
-> Experience live NHL betting as it happens – sign up with NorthStar Bets and get in on every period
NHL futures betting strategy
Think about divisions
Playoff seeding for the NHL is based on divisional ranking. The top seed in each division plays a wild-card team, while the second and third seeds square off in the quarterfinals.
This setup can be advantageous when placing a Stanley Cup futures bet.
The Pacific Division was billed as the weakest at the beginning of the 2021-22 season. It lived up to that title, with the Calgary Flames emerging as runaway favourites from the bunch. The lack of elite competition in the Pacific actually made Calgary a value pick to win the Stanley Cup.
Sometimes, as many as four teams in a different division will have shorter odds than the leaders of a weak division.
But Calgary’s chances of advancing beyond the quarterfinals should be viewed as greater than any of the teams within a deeper division (as the Atlantic has been in recent years).
Despite the Flames’ lower implied probability of winning the Stanley Cup, they possess much more value on futures markets than the Lightning, Maple Leafs and Panthers.
-> Ready to put your NHL knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
-> Ready to put your NHL knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long
