Are you an NHL lover that is agonizing over the suspension of the 2019-20 NHL season just as it inched closer to its annual postseason playoff period?
Are you a golf lover and betting enthusiast that is ‘in the rough’ over the lack of seeing the sweet swings of stars like Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy and the legendary Tigers Woods?
If you answered ‘yes’ to either of the aforementioned questions, then you can take a little bit of satisfaction in the fact that you could potentially cash in on some value-packed odds surrounding the potential returns of both sports. Let’s look at what Current Events Odds may be available to you before I offer up my expert predictions on each sports-resuming odds.
Masters, NHL, Soccer Resume Dates
Odds on When 2020 Masters Takes Place
- October or later in 2020 -140
- September +500
- August +750
- July or earlier in 2020 +900
- Does not take place in 2020 +275
It’s too bad for the red-hot Rory McIlroy, but, with the PGA Tour and all its governing bodies shutting down events until at least May due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 2020 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club has been postponed until further notice.
Still though, if you’re a golf lover and betting enthusiast, could potentially cash in on when the world’s most coveted golf tournament will actually take place this year. Typically played in April each year, oddsmakers have installed an October or later start dates as the prohibitive favorite. A September start is third on the board while each previous month has longer odds. The odds for the PGA Tour forgoing the thrilling event altogether offers the second-best odds.
My prediction for this wager is that the PGA Tour will hold the Masters sometime in October, well after, what experts are predicting as a viable timeline for the slowing of the coronavirus pandemic. The flagship tournament is simply too big, too important and brings in too much revenue to cancel it altogether, particularly if Tiger Woods is competing.
Pick: October
When Will the Next NHL Game Be Played?
- After April 17th -450
- On or Before April 17th +275
The NHL was 70 games into its 82-game regular season when play was suspended, but I say there’s absolutely no way the NHL – or any other professional sports league resumes play on or before April 15, so this pick is as easy as pie.
Pick: After April 17th
Will the Next NHL Game be Played June 1st or Sooner?
- Yes……….+300
- No……….-500
While the odds for this wager are clearly in favor of the NHL season not resuming prior to June 1, I am in complete disagreement and believe that the NHL could be back in action by that time. Commissioner Gary Bettman is a former NBA employee that has run the league almost as smoothly as his former employer runs its operations and I believe Bettman will have a solid plan in place for when and if the vast majority of coronavirus restrictions are lifted. I’m going ‘against the grain’ with my wager here and playing the ‘Yes’ selection.
Pick: Yes
Will the remaining 2019-20 NHL season be outright canceled?
- No -220
- Yes +170
Just this week, the NHL – which suspended play on March 12 – extended its self-quarantine period for its players through April 15. Simply put, the league and commissioner Gary Bettman are doing everything in their collective power to keep their options open for completing the 2019-20 campaign. Bettman has repeated on more than one occasion that the league is willing to extend play deep into the summer but does not want to compromise playing a full 2020-21. While things look real sketchy right now, my best prediction is that the NHL manages to salvage some form of this season.
Pick: No
