Western Canada Road Trip: A Fantasy Hockey Goldmine
The Philadelphia Flyers are about to embark on a crucial western Canada road trip, facing off against the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks in consecutive games. This grueling stretch can make or break a team’s season, but what does recent history tell us about the Oilers’ chances of turning their fortunes around?
A Familiar Foe
In the past three seasons, NHL teams have made this western Canada road trip 27 times, with the Oilers, Flames, and Canucks combining for a record of 15-12 in the third game of the series. The Oilers, in particular, have excelled in this spot, boasting a 4-1 record and outscoring opponents 26-11. They’ve also covered the spread in four out of five games, making them a tantalizing proposition for fantasy hockey enthusiasts.
Trends to Watch
As the Oilers look to bounce back from a dismal 0-3 start, history suggests they may be due for a turnaround. In the third game of this road trip, Eastern Conference teams have struggled, posting a 7-8 record and a 5-10 mark against the spread. The Oilers, meanwhile, have thrived, going 4-1 and covering the spread in four out of five games.
Oilers vs. Flyers: A Betting Bonanza
Tuesday’s matchup between the Oilers and Flyers promises to be a thrilling affair, with the Oilers looking to snap their losing streak. The Flyers, meanwhile, will be relying on goalie Samuel Ersson to stem the tide. As the Oilers seek to rediscover their scoring touch, Jeff Skinner (over 0.5 points, +115) could be a savvy bet, especially if he can find chemistry with Connor McDavid on the top line.
Betting 101: Understanding the Spread
As we delve into the world of sports betting, it’s essential to grasp the basics. The spread is a crucial aspect of wagering, where you bet on either the favored team to outscore their opponents by a determined margin or the underdog to win or keep the game within a certain margin of defeat. Typically, the spread is set at 1.5, with the favorite receiving a minus sign and the underdog a plus sign.
Data Dive: Uncovering Hidden Trends
By analyzing odds data from ESPN BET, we can uncover hidden trends and patterns that can inform our betting decisions. As of Monday evening, the favorites are 15-27 against the spread, while the underdogs have excelled, going 27-15. This disparity is even more pronounced when the favorite is on the road, where they’ve covered the spread just 46% of the time.
What’s Next?
As the NHL season unfolds, we’ll continue to track these trends and explore new ones, providing you with the insights you need to make informed betting decisions. From the Blues’ top-line role to the Golden Knights’ road trip, we’ll leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of fantasy hockey success.
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