In NHL betting, the schedule is important because it can greatly impact a team’s performance. When a team plays back-to-back games or has a busy schedule with many games in a short amount of time, they may be more fatigued and less likely to perform at their best. This can make them more vulnerable to upsets and less likely to cover the spread or win the game outright.
On the other hand, when a team has more rest and time to prepare for a game, they may be more fresh and focused, which can lead to better performance and a greater chance of winning. Bettors who are aware of the schedule and its impact on teams can use this knowledge to their advantage and make more informed betting decisions.
Now, regarding the NHL season format, it consists of 82 games for each team, with each team playing 41 games at home and 41 games on the road. The regular season typically begins in October and ends in April, followed by the Stanley Cup playoffs, with a best-of-seven series format. The top eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs based on their regular season performance.
It’s true that NHL betting is one of the most popular sports betting options for fans. Betting not only takes place during the regular season and playoffs but also for other significant NHL scheduled events that might require props bets or futures bets.
When it comes to finding the best options, SportsBettingAI is here to help. We provide a combination of AI technology-based picks and human expert picks, which we offer for free. This makes us the best resource available to improve your betting and enhance your chances of winning
NHL Main Schedules
Regular Season
The regular season typically begins in October and ends in April. All teams must play 82 games during that period. The team with the best regular-season record receives the Presidents’ Trophy. This trophy is active since 1986.
All-Star Game
The All-Star game is an exhibition game played in January or February with the best players of the season representing their respective conference (Eastern and Western Conferences). It plays since 1947 and has only been canceled seven times.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
After the regular season, the top teams from each division and league move on to the postseason, which consists of four rounds of best-of-seven games from April to June. The Eastern Conference Champion wins the Prince of Wales Trophy, and the Western Conference Champion wins the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy. Both winners will play in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup is the most important trophy in the NHL and declares the winner of the series between the Eastern and Western Conference champions as the NHL champion. It is played in the month of June and has been contested since 1915, except in 1919 and 2005, when it was not played due to the Spanish flu and the lock-down, respectively. The Montreal Canadiens are the most successful team in the NHL with 24 titles.
NHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual event where NHL teams choose amateur ice hockey players to sign as professionals. The draft order is based on team standings, and each team gets one pick per round. It’s a way for teams to find young talent and build their rosters.
NHL Picks
When it comes to making picks for NHL games, there are various factors that are taken into account. Some of these factors include injuries, team and player stats, trends such as the weather, home and away games, and more.
One crucial element that cannot be overlooked when making picks is the rivalry between teams. The emotional component that comes with a rivalry game must be factored in when those teams are set to meet again. Rivalry games tend to have higher stakes and can be more unpredictable, making them an important consideration for bettors.
It is also worth noting that the release of the NHL schedule is a significant event that can affect betting strategies. Bettors can start planning their picks based on the matchups that they find most favorable.
In conclusion, while factors such as injuries, team and player stats, and trends are important for making NHL picks, the emotional component of rivalry games cannot be overlooked. Bettors can start planning their picks based on the matchups they find most favorable, taking into account the release of the NHL schedule.
The Best Rivalries and Matchups in NHL
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins
Boston is a city that knows about rivalries. Its Celtics vs Lakers, its Red Sox vs Yankees, and of course, its Bruins vs Canadiens. The Bruins-Canadiens rivalry is the biggest in NHL history. With 933 games played, it is the most frequently played matchup in league history, where, counting both Regular Season and Playoffs, the Canadiens won 469 games, the Bruins 350, tied 103 times, and 11 games were decided by shootouts, since 1924.
Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
The two oldest teams in the NHL were expected to have an intense and historic rivalry. Canadiens and Maple Leafs, both from Canada, have been playing against each other since 1917, where the Canadiens, including regular season and playoffs, have won 412 times, while the Ontario team has won 331 times. Both teams tied 88 times and decided games through shootouts on 12 occasions, for a total of 843 matchups.
New York Rangers vs New York Islanders
The famous “Battle of New York” NHL version between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders. The matchup has been happening since 1972, in which, unlike other New York rivalries such as Yankees vs Mets in MLB or Jets vs Giants in NFL, where they are separated, the New York NHL teams are in the same division. The balance between both teams in 328 games is 154 wins for the Rangers, 145 for the Islanders, 19 ties, and 10 shootouts.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
The other great battle in the NHL is between the two major franchises in Pennsylvania, we are talking about the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the “Battle of Pennsylvania”. Both have been playing against each other since 1967, where after 348 games, Philadelphia defeated Pittsburgh 184 times, while the Penguins won 121 times. They tied 30 times and had 13 shootouts against each other.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
Can one sport naturally spark a rivalry in another? The rivalry between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues proves it can. Stemming from the Chicago-St. Louis rivalry in baseball, specifically the Cubs vs Cardinals in MLB, the animosity quickly spread to hockey. The Blackhawks and Blues have battled since the 1967 expansion. In 390 games, Chicago boasts 189 wins, St. Louis has 155, with 35 ties and 11 shootouts.
Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers
In Canada, the Canadiens-Maple Leafs rivalry dominates the NHL. But in the 1980s, a new fierce rivalry took center stage – the Calgary Flames versus the Edmonton Oilers. Both franchises hail from Alberta, battling to claim provincial supremacy. The rivalry hit fever pitch as the Oilers, with Wayne Gretzky leading the charge, clashed with the Flames in their quest to dominate the NHL. Out of 294 games, the Flames have clinched 141 wins, the Oilers 129, along with 18 ties and 6 shootouts.
