With the 2016 NHL playoffs getting underway in no time at all, hockey betting enthusiasts are about to get a sweet treat that comes in the form of some recent playoff betting trends, plus a look at some recent postseason overtime and Game 7 history. Okay, with pucks getting dropped this evening for the start of the postseason, let’s rock and roll.
NHL Playoff Betting Trends, Plus a Look at Overtime and Game 7 History
2015 Playoff Betting Trends
2015 Conference Quarterfinals
Favorites went 30-17 SU in the opening round a year ago while home teams went 28-19 SU. Puck-line favorites were a dead-even 15-15 ATS while the Over/Under Total went 19-21-7. Here is a look at the playoff betting tends for each successive round of the 2015 playoffs.
2015 Conference Semifinals
Favorites 14-8 SU
Home Teams 14-8
Puck-Line Favorites 5-9 ATS
Over Under 8-11-3 O/U/push
2015 Conference Finals
Favorites 6-8 SU
Home Teams 6-8
Puck-Line Favorites 2-4
Over Under 8-4-2 O/U/push
2015 Stanley Cup Final
Favorites 3-3 SU
Home Teams 3-3 SU
Puck-Line Favorites 1-2 ATS
Over Under 1-5 O/U
Overtime Games
2015: 19 Games
Last season, there were 19 overtime games in the playoffs. 10 of those took place in Round 1, five in Round 2, four in the Conference Finals and no game went to OT in Stanley Cup Final.
In each of the previous three seasons, at least 22 overtime games took place in the postseason. Here is a look at the breakdown.
2014: 26 OT Games
(14 in Round 1, 5 in Round 2, 4 in Conference Finals, 3 in Stanley Cup Final)
2013: 27 OT Games
(17 in Round 1, 5 in Round 2; 2 in Conference Finals, 2 in Stanley Cup Final)
2012: 25 OT Games
(16 in Round 1, 5 in Round 2; 2 in Conference Finals, 2 in Stanley Cup Final)
2011: 22 OT Games
(14 in Round 1, 6 in Round 2, 1 in Conference Finals, 1 in Stanley Cup Final)
If you want to know which teams stand the best chance of winning in overtime, here is a look at each playoff team’s postseason record dating back to 2011.
2016 Playoff Teams Overtime Records Since 2011
Western Conference
Blackhawks (16-9)
Sharks (10-1)
Kings (10-8)
Ducks (5-8)
Blues (3-4)
Wild (3-4)
Predators (2-4)
Stars (0-1)
Eastern Conference
Rangers (9-13)
Capitals (7-8)
Lightning (4-2)
Red Wings (3-6)
Penguins (3-8)
Islanders (1-3)
Panthers (0-2)
Flyers (2-1)
Game 7 History
DYK Moment!
Did You Know…that home teams have won 15 of the last 27 Game 7’s
2016 Playoff Teams with Most Game 7’s Since 2011
Rangers (8; 6-2)
Kings (4; 4-0)
Red Wings (4; 1-3)
Blackhawks (4; 2-2)
Ducks (3; 0-3)
Penguins (2; 1-1)
Lightning (2; 1-1)
Wild (1; 1-0)
Flyers (1; 0-1)