The NHL is the first major US sport to put out a plan for resumption. On the whole, things have gone down very well and that is despite the likeliness that we won’t see a team lift the Stanley Cup until the time when next season is supposed to start.
Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers covers the puck in front of the oncoming Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers
If there is one thing the league deserves a lot of credit for, it is their willingness to push hard and move things around so that they can get this season completed properly. They cannot be accused of giving up.
Training camps are set to begin sometime in July, with a tentative resumption date floating around somewhere at the end of July or beginning of August.
When things are back, games are going to be incredibly popular, with many people watching and betting on them. But after a long break, how do you approach your NHL betting when the season resumes?
Expect Games to be Different
While we are going to officially be watching the resumption of the new season and the 2019/20 playoffs, this is going to be very different. Games will be played behind closed doors, in hub cities and with strict travel and transport arrangements in place for players.
Goalie Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Not every player and every team will enjoy this very different experience.
You should treat these games as a bubble, completely separate to anything we have seen from the regular season up to this point, and anything we will likely see next season.
This is hopefully going to be a one-off event, different for everyone including those that are taking part. Past form, trophies and league standings can all go out of the window, this is a battle, and will be down to who wants it the most.
Look Out for New Trends
With that in mind, we are likely to see a lot of new trends set during these games. This will be because some teams and players adapt better to situations, or because their coaches find some way of getting an edge over the opposition.
These can lead to new trends, and ways in which you can improve your betting because of what you are watching on the ice.
For example, do we see tighter games with fewer goals, do we see star players struggling to find the edge they normally have, do we see more or less power play opportunities. These are all questions that can shape your betting.
Bookmakers are going to be watching exactly the same as you and trying to form an opinion like you are. If you’re a seasoned hockey fan though, there is every chance you can identify things that they are missing and make some money on them.
Follow a Team on a Streak
When placing your bets, follow teams who are streaking. They are clearly doing something right, regardless of past league positions, lack of star names or anything else.
2020 NHL Winter Classic – photo by Les Stockton
This all goes back to treating these games as a separate bubble, different to everything else. When taking advantage of free bets & welcome offers that are available, look for teams who have proven themselves in the new conditions.
This may not be the way you would have normally placed your bet but remember, we are not in normal times.
The resumption of this NHL season is going to be determined by how teams and players adapt. The exact same thing can be said about the successfulness of your betting.
If you adapt well and find trends to take advantage of, expect a good and profitable period when the action returns.
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