Tips for Betting on NHL Teams to Make the Playoffs

Betting on NHL teams to make the playoffs is a fun and engaging activity for hockey fans. Of course, you can gamble on games throughout the season, but futures bets add an extra level of excitement to proceedings.

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In this guide, we share our top tips for betting on NHL teams to make the playoffs. Before we go any further, though, let’s look at how the bet works.

How the NHL Teams to Make the Playoffs Market Works

Thankfully, betting on NHL teams to make the playoffs is simple. Some hockey bets can be complicated, but this particular futures bet is easy to understand. Prior to the start of the season, the bookies will release their odds for NHL teams to make the playoffs.

All you need to do is predict whether a team will reach the postseason by choosing yes or no. Now that you know how betting on NHL teams to make the playoffs works, it’s time for us to reveal our expert tips. Read on if you’re serious about gaining an edge over the bookies.

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Tips for Betting on NHL Teams to Make the Playoffs

There are lots of different ways to predict which teams will reach the NHL postseason. Below, we have compiled a list of our favorite tips. If you follow the advice below, you will only enhance your chances of making a profit.

Consider Offseason Roster Changes

Players come and go throughout the offseason, with trades occurring across the league. For that reason, you should always keep a close eye on key roster changes and the impact on the odds.

Some teams might become significantly stronger during the offseason, while others could lose important players and become weaker. That’s why you need to stay up to speed on all the latest player trades.

Utilize Advanced NHL Stats to Gain an Edge

With a seemingly endless number of advanced stats and metrics available to NHL bettors, it only makes sense that you utilize the facts and figures when wagering on which teams will reach the playoffs.

Corsi, Fenwick and Expected Goals (xG) are just some of the many advanced hockey stats on offer. If you can incorporate these metrics into your predictions, you will only strengthen your bets.

Look for Consistent Postseason Contenders

There is no hiding the fact that certain teams feature in the playoffs almost every year, while others invariably struggle to reach the postseason. With that in mind, we recommend exploring the historical data.

For example, the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs each have 70+ playoff seasons in the bank. By contrast, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers have each made fewer than 10 postseason appearances.

NHL Predictions

NHL Teams With the Most Playoff Appearances

1. Montreal Canadiens (85)
2. Boston Bruins (76)
3. Toronto Maple Leafs (72)
4. Detroit Red Wings (64)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (63)
6. New York Rangers (62)
7. St. Louis Blues (45)
8. Philadelphia Flyers (40)
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (37)
10. Dallas Stars (35)