NHL Betting – Handicapping Non-Conference Games

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Last Updated on Monday, 13 February 2012 15:26
Written by BetRepublic
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There are more than a dozen non-conference matchups on the NHL betting schedule through the next week and we look at wagering strategy that has cashed 16 of 20 tickets this season including six-straight winners

The San Jose Sharks are in the midst of a season-long nine game road trip that began Sunday with a 3-0 shutout loss at St. Louis. Todd McClellan’s Sharks have a 2-1-1 record this season after being shutout and they are 5-2-1 when playing in a back-to-back but there is another angle that should not be overlooked.

San Jose was also in action Friday at the HP Pavilion where they handled the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3. That makes Monday’s game at the Verizon Center their third game in four nights and non-conference road teams have not performed well in this profile.

INTER-CONFERENCE 3-IN-4
The straight-up record this season when betting the inter-Conference host is 16-4 for a rough profit of +$1,130, based on risking enough to win $100.

Six of the 16 wins were in overtime so laying a half-goal in the 60 minute play would have gone 11-9. The only home dog through the first 20 games was Edmonton (+105), hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 9, 2011.

The average final score totalled 5.75 goals per game for a record of 12 overs, 7 unders and 1 push and the recent trend since Tues, Jan. 17 (Predators at Rangers) is 2 overs and 4 unders.

`CAPPERS CORNER
Road teams have lost six-straight games in this spot and as playoff races tighten, coaches will continue to focus more of their efforts towards valuable conference matchups. That’s not to say teams won’t put forth their best effort in these road games, but handicappers have to look at who is on-deck, what the travel situation is like, and who the starting goalies will be.

NHL PICKS
Sportsbetting.com is listing the Sharks (-135) as the favorite and considering their 15-1 record vs. Washington since 1999, those NHL odds are more than fair. Washington is the more desperate squad, however, and with Thomas Greiss expected to start, take this game to hit six goals or more.
Pick: Take the Over


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