'I can’t recall a streak like this': NHL favorites on scorching, undefeated run
A startling stretch of 22 consecutive victories by NHL betting favorites could continue Monday, as oddsmakers scratch their heads over the phenomenon.
“I can’t recall a streak like this,” said Adam Pullen, assistant director of trading at Caesars Sportsbook, which first reported the trend starting with Friday night action.
“You always get (some of that) late in the year, with some teams out of the running and others playing for something," Pullen said. "Now, it doesn’t matter what you put (the favorites) at — they can’t be high enough.”
Tipico Sportsbook spokesman Sunny Gupta said the stunning trend didn’t catch the attention of most bettors.
Bally's Interactive SVP of Risk & Trading Jay Rood echoed that sentiment.
“Our hockey (weekend betting) has been very balanced,” Rood told Paste BN Sports+. “We lost a little to moneyline and handicap, but the totals made up for that.”
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How far will the streak extend?
The biggest favorites over the weekend were the Calgary Flames — set at a staggering -600 against the Arizona Coyotes. The Flames won 9-1.
Arizona returns to being a heavy underdog Monday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Coyotes boasted the most significant underdog victory of the season (at +450) when they defeated the Colorado Avalanche in a 3-2 shootout on Feb. 1.
“In years’ past, you didn’t see many three-dollar (-300) favorites, but this year, it just seems normal to see these types of prices." Pullen said. "The disparity between the good teams and bad teams is a lot bigger than it ever has been."
Three of the other weekend games went to overtime, however, with the Kraken defeating New Jersey in a shootout.
“It’ll be interesting to see how high the lines for these favorites get,” Pullen said. “You have 22-0 staring you at the face. You’re going to see big favorites across the board that maybe we’ve never seen before.”
Six games are on the board Monday with action beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
- Calgary Flames -320 favorite at the Chicago Blackhawks — 8 p.m. ET
- Colorado Avalanche -205 against the visiting Washington Capitals — 9 p.m. ET
- Carolina Hurricanes -420 at the Arizona Coyotes — 10 p.m. ET
- Seattle Kraken -120 home favorite against the Ottawa Senators — 10 p.m. ET
- Las Vegas Golden Knights -340 versus the visiting New Jersey Devils — 10 p.m. ET
- Dallas Stars slight favorite -115 at the Vancouver Canucks — 10:30 p.m. Eastern
Even with the trending data, bettors at Tipico are divided over whether to let it ride on the streak continuing.
Gupta said, of the six games, three have driven more betting traffic to the favorites, and three others are attracting support on the underdogs.
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