So far few NHL teams have had records favoring the 'over' this year, but will that change? We’ll find out, but for now, here’s a look at three of the best 'over' teams in the NHL season so far.
In one of the strangest oddities you might see in a long
time, the NHL totals have been dominated by unders this season. At the All-Star
break, only nine teams had a totals record where the over had cashed more times
than the under. That means the under is the better play with the remaining 21
teams.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are the model for overs in the NHL odds as they simple don’t have the goaltending to stop anyone but their grouping of
forwards can definitely score to keep their team in it.
The math is simple: they are fourth in the NHL in scoring
(3.18 goals per game) and second-last in goals allowed (3.22 per game).
Last season, Colorado received some surprise stellar
goaltending from veteran Craig Anderson as he posted a GAA of 2.64. That number
has ballooned to 3.12 this season. Backup Peter Budaj has a GAA that’s even
higher at 3.17 and is coming off a month where he posted a GAA of 3.68.
The Avs are especially a good team to bet over at home
where their penalty killing unit is atrocious.
They kill off just 77.2% of their penalties overall, which ranks them 28th
in the NHL but that percentage drops down to 70% at home.
With good goal scoring, bad netminding and a bad penalty
kill, this team is your best NHL team to bet on for overs on a consistent basis.
Phoenix Coyotes
At the All-Star break, 30 of the Phoenix Coyotes 49 games had gone
over the total this season. Without a doubt, they have been one of the best
over plays if you’re betting it on a regular basis.
Just like Colorado, Phoenix is also a good over play at
home. The Coyotes play better on the road (15-8-4) than at home (10-9-5) and their
goal scoring reflects that as well.
At home, the Coyotes score 3.13 goals per game versus
just 2.67 on the road. But they also allow more at home (2.78) than on the road
(2.70).
Another main reason for the Coyotes being a great
home-over team is because goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has a GAA of 2.85 at home
versus 2.31 when away. Clearly, he’s better on the road.
Nine of the Coyotes last 10 games prior to the All-Star
break went over. Keep that in mind now that the second part of the season is
underway.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders were tied for the fifth-best over record in
the NHL at the All-Star break and while most people wouldn’t think it, they are
typically a better bet to play over than under.
For starters, they allow more goals than anybody in the
Eastern Conference (3.17 per game), which already puts them in good position
for overs. The only that is missing is goal scoring, which is on the way.
The Islanders are young team that gets better each time
they step on the ice. Players like John Tavares or Austrian rookie Michael
Grabner continue to improve. The Isles also got a key weapon back in the lineup
when Kyle Okposo returned from injury in the middle of January.
They have averaged 2.9 goals per game over their last 10,
which is also why the over is 7-3 in those games. Throw in the fact that
goaltender Rick DiPietro has a GAA of 3.42 and you’ve got a team that is set to
play many more overs this season.