Hockey Handicapping Articles

The Most Dysfunctional NHL Teams of the Salary Cap Era
by Spencer Toth - 2/24/2026

In an effort to create parity, the NHL created the salary cap after the 2004-05 lockout. A league-wide figure that can’t be exceeded under any circumstances successfully leveled the playing field for the richest and poorest NHL franchises. While this idea was good in theory, mismanaged contracts and poor drafting decisions left some teams in utter chaos over the last two decades. One bad contract can set a franchise back several years, and the introduction of the salary cap only added to that equation.

7 Most Improbable NHL Stanley Cup Runs
by Spencer Toth - 2/18/2026

There is nothing more exciting than an underdog story, and the nature of the NHL playoffs creates more upsets than any other sport. Over the years, teams have gone on incredible Stanley Cup runs that will not be forgotten, going from mediocre teams to Stanley Cup champions. The grueling four-round playoff format ensures that no Stanley Cup win can be considered a fluke, but that doesn’t mean these Cup runs were anything short of unexpected.

NHL Betting: Hot and Cold Teams ATS and Moneyline 1/26/2026
by Ryan Cobbett - 1/26/2026

As we are near the Olympic Break, and the trade deadline looms, let’s dive into the current state of the league. The Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings have not only made themselves relevant to playoff conversation, but they currently have two of three guaranteed spots in the Atlantic Division locked up. The Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils are falling further and further out of the playoff picture, and we get to talk about the worst two teams in the NHL. Let’s see where the money is being made.

The NHL’s Most Hated Players And Exactly Why Everyone Despised Them
by Spencer Toth - 1/26/2026

The NHL has thrived for more than 100 years thanks to its unique blend of skill, strength, speed, and utter chaos. Few other sports allow the kind of all-out violence seen in the NHL, which has created some of the most intense rivalries that can last for decades. While team vs. team rivalries can be fun to watch, the best rivalries are when players get involved.

7 Midseason Coaching Changes that Immediately Saved Dead NHL Franchises
by Spencer Toth - 1/23/2026

There are many ways to tell when an NHL franchise is failing, and a mid-season coaching change is a true sign of desperation. Whether it be due to a lost locker room, a recent cold streak, or simply due to the fact that the upper management wants a fresh face, a mid-season coaching change rarely turns into instant success. Most of the time, it is a Hail Mary, which will be re-evaluated in the offseason.

NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 1/22/2026
by Ryan Cobbett - 1/22/2026

With the Winter Olympics just a few weeks away, and the deadline approaching soon after that, all 32 teams are at a critical point in their season. We have seen Calgary and Vancouver choose to be sellers already, and we will likely see a few more teams join them in deferring to next season and beyond. Decisions like that factor into game totals with teams adding or subtracting offensive production.

The NHL’s Most Expensive Healthy Scratches Ever
by Spencer Toth - 1/22/2026

Every NHLer wants as much ice time as possible, often playing through injuries to keep their spot on the roster. It is one thing to be forced out of the lineup due to a serious injury, but it is another to be listed as a healthy scratch thanks to a coaching decision. It is never easy to tell a healthy player they are not playing, and it gets even harder when they are one of the highest-paid players on the team.

7 NHL Calder Trophy Winners Who Then Disappeared
by Spencer Toth - 1/20/2026

Being drafted into the NHL is one of the most exciting achievements that any young hockey player dreams of. Thousands of hours of hard work pay off, and a long career in the world’s best hockey league is on the horizon. Some players have not only reached that dream, but have then gone on to win the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. Many of the league’s greats, such as Connor McDavid, Wayne Gretzky, Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, and Jaromir Jagr, all missed out on this award but went on to have very successful NHL careers.

NHL Hockey Betting Tutorials, Best of Lists, Top Articles from Experts
by Docsports.com - 1/5/2026

Doc's Sports provides NHL hockey betting tutorials, best of lists, and top articles from experts for NHL hockey handicapping and betting. Doc's Sports has been in business since 1971 and provides the best NHL Hockey betting and handicapping content online, and they have provided some timeless content all on one page for easy access!

NHL Player Awards: Odds and Expert Betting Predictions
by Ryan Cobbett - 12/30/2025

With the new calendar year on deck, now is the perfect time to reassess the futures market in terms of player awards. We have seen nearly 50% of the season from the players and coaches and have a solid sample size and outlook on the favorites for the awards. The Hart Trophy is a two-horse race, the Calder and Norris Trophy seem all but decided, while the Vezina Trophy and Jack Adams Award have no dominant favorite. Let’s dive into the numbers.

Stanley Cup Champion Contenders: Futures Odds and Predictions
by Ryan Cobbett - 12/29/2025

As we near the end of the calendar year and encroach on the halfway point of the season, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to forecasting the next Stanley Cup Champion. One thing that seems increasingly more likely is that the Panthers reign will come to an end this summer unless they do something to add more spark to their roster.

NHL Betting: Hot and Cold Teams ATS and Moneyline 12/23/2025
by Ryan Cobbett - 12/23/2025

As we near the 40-games mark, the NHL has established clear trends and a bright light on those money-making teams. There are a lot of surprises to follow this season as the Flyers, Ducks, Red Wings, Canadiens, and Mammoth are in the playoff picture, while teams like the Maple Leafs, Panthers, and Jets are on the outside looking in.

NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 12/3/2025
by Ryan Cobbett - 12/3/2025

As we enter the final month of 2025, we have a solid sample size of each team around the league. Detroit has proven themselves to be a real contender, Chicago and San Jose might actually have some playoff potential, and the Anaheim Ducks have finally exited the dreary “rebuild” phase. Trends have been established, and injuries make it easier to back or fade a team. Winnipeg has been struggling since they lost Connor Hellebuyck, Montreal doesn’t have a reliable netminder, the Islanders have no offensive depth.

NHL Betting: Hot and Cold Teams ATS and Moneyline 11/26/2025
by Ryan Cobbett - 11/26/2025

As we move past the quarter mark of the season, and march on towards the upcoming Olympics, let’s take a look at who the real money makers have been ATS and straight up. No one seems to be stopping the Colorado Avalanche this year, while the Minnesota Wild have joined the conversation in the pursuit of the Central Division title.

NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 11/20/2025
by Ryan Cobbett - 11/20/2025

As we approach the quarter mark of the season, let’s take another look at which teams are making the most money relative to the game total. The top three teams in scoring are not featured on the list, while the top two goaltending units are also absent from the list. Vancouver has been on an absolute tear, picking up 10 overs in as many games, while the teams falling on the south side of the game total might surprise you. With all that and more, let’s crunch some numbers.

NHL Betting: Hot and Cold Teams ATS and Moneyline
by Ryan Cobbett - 11/12/2025

As we approach the 20-game mark of the season, there are some teams starting to fully establish themselves in the playoff picture. The Anaheim Ducks look like the biggest threat in the Western Conference, while the Boston Bruins have some newfound offense that has propelled them into second place in their division, and the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks lay claim to the two wild card spots in their respected conference thanks in large part to their young superstars.

NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams
by Ryan Cobbett - 11/5/2025

As teams approach the 15-game mark of the season, it is time to analyze which teams around the league are posting high scoring games, and who is posting low scoring games. The Anaheim Ducks are leading the league in scoring as they are averaging 3.92 GF/G, while the Washington Capitals are leading the league in goals against, allowing just 2.33 GA/G.

Expert NHL Handicapping Roundup for 10/31/2025
by Ryan Cobbett - 10/31/2025

Here is our first NHL Roundup piece of the 2025-2026 season. We have seen some surprising starts from teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings, but there has been no bigger surprise than the Utah Mammoth. In addition to our surprise teams, there is a new Hart Trophy contender this season. And thanks to one particular big-name addition, this contender has been thrust right into the heart of the MVP conversation.

NHL Betting: Hot and Cold Teams ATS and Moneyline
by Ryan Cobbett - 10/30/2025

The NHL season is officially back and in full swing as teams have marched, or limped, through the opening 10 games of their season. We have seen some surprises already like the Utah Mammoth, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings look like legit playoff contenders, while teams like the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, and Minnesota Wild are leaving us wondering where the wins are.

NHL Player Awards: Odds and Expert Betting Predictions
by Ryan Cobbett - 10/7/2025

After a long offseason, the 2025/26 NHL season will officially be underway. The Florida Panthers will be on the hunt to bring the Stanley Cup back home for the third consecutive season while the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights are going to try and usurp the Panthers. Nikita Kucherov is set to repeat as the league’s top point scorer while Connor Hellebuyck will look to defend his Hart and Vezina trophies.