Hockey Handicapping Articles

2027 NHL Stanley Cup Predictions and Championship Futures Odds
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/28/2026

The 2026-27 NHL season is set to get underway tomorrow. With that, now is the time to finalize your futures bets for the upcoming season. The Carolina Hurricanes looked prime for another deep run as they set out to bring the Stanley Cup back home. However, the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals have put together strong offseasons in order to dethrone their Eastern Conference rival. Out West, teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche are scratching and clawing to keep their winning windows open and bring the Stanley Cup home.

2026 NHL Season Point Totals Predictions and Best Bets
by Ryan Cobbett - 9/23/2026

Puck drop of the 2026-27 NHL season is less than a week away, and there is no better time than to take a trip around the league and analyze win totals for all 32 NHL clubs. The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to defend the Stanley Cup and keep it in Raleigh for another season. Teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning are going to do everything in their power to keep Carolina from retaining the trophy.

2026 NHL Hockey Picks 3-for-1 Special
by Doc's Sports - 9/22/2026

The NHL hockey season is upon us and Doc's Sports are thrilled to have another avenue to burn the sports books. We offer the best hockey handicapping service in the country, and we are so confident of that fact we're willing to let you try three of our NHL handicappers for one low price.

NHL Conference Finals: Best Bets for Each Series
by Ryan Cobbett - 5/19/2026

The NHL semifinals are finally set after the Montreal Canadiens knocked off the Buffalo Sabres in overtime in Game Seven of the series. Puck drop for the semifinals will begin tomorrow night when the Vegas Golden Knights travel to the Mile High City to take on the Colorado Avalanche. The other semifinal series between Montreal and Carolina will begin Thursday night, with the Canadiens traveling down the East Coast to the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.

7 NHL Superstars Who Forced Their Way Out Of Town Via Trade
by Spencer Toth - 3/31/2026

Drafting rights, complicated contracts, and strong-willed general managers make it difficult for players to choose where they want to play -- but it’s not impossible. Over the years, there have been several heated feuds between players and management that ultimately resulted in players forcing their way out of franchises.

7 NHL Stanley Cup Favorites Who Dramatically Collapsed
by Spencer Toth - 3/24/2026

Everyone loves a good Cinderella story in the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, for one team to rise above expectations, another has to fall short. Stanley Cup favorites who looked poised to win the Cup don’t always reach their aspirations, and a season or two of failure can see the entire franchise get blown up. These teams looked as though they were ready to claim hockey’s ultimate prize, but what ended up happening couldn't have been further from the truth.

6 Biggest One-Season Wonders in NHL History
by Spencer Toth - 3/9/2026

There have been nearly 9,000 NHL players in the 107-year history of the league, all with wildly different career paths. Some found consistent success at the top; others appeared only a handful of times, but few had roller coaster careers like this group. Sometimes, one good season -- or even one good month -- of NHL play, can solidify a prospect's place in the league.

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.