NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 2/8/2024
The NHL Is back in full swing after a fun All-Star break that was largely dominated by representatives from the Canadian clubs. With the second half of the season underway, and the Trade Deadline a month out, it’s crunch time for teams as they try and break into the playoffs. As always, we are all about identifying the money-making trends, so let’s take a look at our high frequenters on either side of the game total.
Doc’s Sports offers NHL expert picks for every game on our hockey predictions page.
Over
Colorado Avalanche 7-3
The Avalanche have been hitting the over at a high rate over the last 10 games, as the offense has been dominating. Over the last 10 games, Colorado has averaged 4.0 GF/G and has tallied over five goals three times in this stretch. The netminding hasn’t been great, as the Avalanche has allowed four or more goals in five of the games during this stretch. The over hit in all five of those games. Colorado ranks second in the league, scoring 3.76 GF/G. And pairing that with an average at best netminder group that allows 3.12 GA/G, the Avs contests are averaging nearly seven goals, which will result in a lot of overs. Overall, Colorado overs has been a safe bet to make as they have hit the over in 58.8% of their games and their 30 overs is tied for the second most in the NHL.
St. Louis Blues 7-2-1
The Blues are featured on this list uncharacteristically, as they rank in the bottom third of the league in overs. Their offense has played well (to their standards) over the last 10, averaging 3.1 GF/G, which is better than their 2.84 average on the season. So, pairing the offensive spark with the inconsistent goaltending has led to quite a bit of overs. The Blues are inconsistent, but now the offense adds a bit more confusion to the squad’s ability to win, or in this case what side of the game total they will find themselves on. Before their last game, the over had hit in four straight, but overtime was needed in three of those games and in four of the overs during this stretch. If you remove the four overtime games, the over hit in only three games, which falls in line with their performance on the season. Overall, the over has hit in less than 50% of the Blues games, making them a team to avoid.
Honorable Mention: Washington Capitals 4-1
With a bunch of teams sitting at six overs in the last 10, I went back only five games to find what is more of a shock than the Blues. The Washington Capitals, a team that can’t score, has hit the over in four of their last five. Does this mean that they fixed the offense? No, it just means Charlie Lindgren and Darcy Kuemper have been awful. The Caps are riding a five-game losing streak, and the only game that hit the under was a shutout win for the Blues. Their goaltending has allowed 4.80 GA/G over the last five games, while the offense has managed only 11 goals in this stretch. Washington has been a solid option for the under, but they need their goalies to improve.
Under
Edmonton Oilers 0-10
The Oilers hit their last over back on January 2 when they beat the Flyers 5-2. Though their run at the longest win streak in NHL history ended last night, the Oilers have been hitting the under at a ridiculous pace. Since they righted the ship (November 24), the Oilers have hit the under in 71% of their games. The goaltending has greatly improved thanks, in large part, to Stuart Skinner, who is allowing just 2.43 GA/G, which is ranked 7th best in the league. Three of their next five contests are against teams who can score: the Kings, Stars, and Red Wings. And with the prolific offense of the Oilers, the under doesn’t appear likely on paper. However, it will be interesting to see what this return to earth means for the Oilers high percentage of hitting the under.
Chicago Blackhawks 2-8
This should come as no surprise as the Blackhawks rank dead last in GF/G as they average an abysmal 2.06 GF/G. Over the last 10 contests, Chicago has been shut out four times and has scored just 11 goals. The only two overs came from an overtime win over the Islanders and a 6-2 blowout loss at the hands of the Kraken. The goaltending ranks No. 28,, as they allow 3.49 GA/G, but their offense is so bad that it is, almost, completely up to the other team to find the north side of the game total. Five out of their next six opponents allow less than three goals per game, which signals a good time to cash out on the Blackhawks terrible offense. Overall, Chicago has hit the under in nearly 55% of their games, and 12 out of their last 15 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins 2-8
Right with the Blackhawks, the Penguins have been making money on the southside of the game total all season long. Their goaltending ranks 5th in the NHL, allowing just 2.64 GA/G, while their offense ranks 20th with a 2.96 GF/G average. Averaging less than three goals, while allowing less than three goals per game, is a great recipe for the under to hit. The Penguins’ style of play is aimed for them to thrive in low-scoring games with a tough style of play. The two overs in this stretch were both losses, one in overtime and the other a 5-2 collapse. Overall, the under has hit in 28 of their 47 contests on the year, and the 28 under totals is tied for the second-best mark in the NHL.
Get NHL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.
