Sports betting on the NHL heats up as the playoffs approach. With each team having only a number of games remaining, the pressure is on a few teams. Let’s look at the race for the last spot in the Eastern and Western Conference and some games to consider in Internet sports betting.
Sports betting should be more exciting in the East since the last playoff spot is far from decided. Montreal is in sixth position but they have slumped of late and are no longer a sure thing. The Canadians have eight games remaining but they do get five of them at home. The Canadians lead the Flyers by a point and Boston by two points. Philadelphia has nine games left with five of them at home.
What hurts the Flyers is that they don’t have a quality goalie with both of their starters hurt and they lost their leading scorer earlier this week. Boston is in the last playoff spot at the moment and they may have the best schedule with 10 games remaining. Six of those games are at home. Boston also has issues though as they struggle to score.
The teams that are chasing Montreal, Philadelphia and Boston are Atlanta, the Rangers and Florida. The Thrashers are three points back and they have nine games left. The problem for Atlanta in terms of Internet sports betting is that five of their remaining nine games are on the road. The Rangers are in even worse shape as seven of their remaining nine games are away from home. They are five points back of the Bruins and with that schedule they probably have no chance. Florida is seven points back of Boston but at least they have 10 games left. They have five at home and five on the road. It is unlikely that Florida can make it but they are probably in better shape than the Rangers.
There is only one spot left in the Western Conference playoff race and it is really pretty much over in sports betting. The Red Wings are in 8th place and they are four points ahead of Calgary. The Red Wings have nine games left, five at home and four on the road. The Flames have nine games left but six of them are on the road. Facing Boston, Washington and Colorado on the road will not be easy.