We are entering that part of the year where it is the most exciting time for sports fans. The start of the NFL season might be far away, yet we have the NBA and NHL Playoffs to look forward to, as well as the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League. Throw in the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown races on the horizon, and you can argue that it’s boom time for sports bettors.
Of course, many of those who dabble in futures markets would have made their picks preseason. A lot of experts thought that the Oklahoma City Thunder would be a big contender this season, and that’s played out and then some. Sure, OKC will have some stiff opposition, and being the favorite does not guarantee a championship, but OKC’s season is largely following the script that many expected it would.
It’s interesting, however, to note that OKC’s odds aren’t that attractive. In the NBA, you’ve basically got the Celtics and OKC at the top of the markets, with relatively little chance given to anyone else. Odds swirling around +200 for the Celtics and OKC will be pounced upon by some believers, but they don’t scream value.
NHL Playoffs are wide open
The NHL is a different prospect, and we would argue that it is way more open than the NBA Playoffs. At the time of writing, you have the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Washington Capitals, all with odds ranging from +500 to +1000. It’s going to make NHL picks for the postseason interesting to say the least. Yet, you have to agree, from a neutral’s perspective, that’s outstanding to have such a sense of jeopardy going into the postseason. Moreover, it could be a team – like the Tampa Bay Lightning or LA Kings – who we have not mentioned above.
You can perhaps look at the idea of value in two different ways. Having so many NHL teams tightly packed in the odds means that there is no standout team – at least when you look at it statistically – and that, in turn, can make it difficult to parse out the winner. On the other hand, the money isn’t flowing to just a couple of teams (like the Celtics and OKC), so there’s potential value across the board, providing you back the right team.
Spotting value is the key
Of course, all of that is normal for sports betting, and it’s often the case that things look a bit more obvious in hindsight. Perhaps we look back after the Stanley Cup Final, and it’ll make sense that the Winnipeg Jets – best overall record in the regular season and winners of the Presidents’ Trophy – were going to win all along. Yet, at the moment, there is a real sense that this is too close to call when looking at the betting markets.
Nonetheless, those who have conviction with their Stanley Cup picks can shop around different sportsbooks to get the best price. Moreover, with so many teams in contention, you are going to see significant price fluctuations as the postseason progresses. If your team is locked in a tight playoff round, it might be an opportunity to capitalize on the markets. It requires an analytical approach and a little bit of nerve, but with so many teams in with a shot at glory, the NHL might be a good option to look at as sports leagues wrap up their business in the coming weeks and months.