Behind the Net: Toronto Maple Leafs Still a Bettors' Favorite?
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Frank Doyle
In an 82-game season, it’s hard to glean too much before teams have even hit the 10-game mark. That said, there’s still more than enough to dig into for faithful puck bettors. Frank Doyle talks to a Sports Interaction oddsmaker to get the scoop.
-Which team/teams are seeing the most Stanley Cup futures action?
In order of money risked: Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens. Without a doubt the biggest shock is that we are not highly exposed on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Could their fans have finally learned their lesson? However, if the Leafs go on a four-game winning streak you can bet the money will roll in like a fictional Stanley Cup parade down Young Street.
-Speaking of the Leafs, what’s the handle like for Canadian teams in comparison to the rest of the league?
Without fail, games involving a Canadian team will see about four times the action than that of a matchup between two US-based teams. In turn, we’re forced to monitor those lines closely.
-Of all the Canadian teams, which are seeing the most and least amount of action on nightly basis?
Year in and year out the Toronto Maple Leafs are the team which commands the most turnover on a game, followed closely by the Montreal Canadians, and then the Vancouver Canucks. Not to say that Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg don’t see their fair share of action, but that generally only occurs on games that are nationally televised.
-Teams like Boston, San Jose, Los Angeles, New York Rangers and Chicago have all lost money so far on the puckline (the 1.5-goal spread). Are bettors backing these high-profile teams early this season? Should they wary of these clubs moving forward?
Of course bettors will back the -1.5 for all high profile clubs, especially in a situation where they play ‘weaker’ team. To be wary of the aforementioned clubs would be an overreaction to small sample size, but the fact remains, bettors like betting on good teams. It just comes down to whether they’re willing to risk the -1.5 puckline with the possibility of empty net goals ruining their payday. Some will, some wont.
-The Minnesota Wild are 4-0 on the puckline, earning more than five units for their supporters already. Is this sustainable? Are the Wild a legit contender?
The Minnesota Wild were a legit contender last season, the addition of Thomas Vanek plus the subtraction of Heatley should only help them. They aren’t as popular as the “big market” teams, but that will change if the wins keep rolling in.
-Apart from the Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, and Alex Ovechkin bettors, is there a player that bettors love to bet with player props?
Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and John Tavares are constantly being backed in our anytime goal scorer market. We had Corey Perry as the third favorite at +470 in our preseason “Race to 10 Goals” prop. It’s down to Perry and Rick Nash (+2500) to take that title. Luckily, both Perry and Nash saw limited action on the proposition making it a win-win situation for the book.