This is an article that will examine the significance of the NHL betting market following the COVID-19 outbreak. It will examine current formulae for key betting markets and events, and provide an outlook for the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The NBA, NFL And NHL Are The Biggest Gaming Leagues
The spread of COVID-19 forced professional sports to suspend their operations for a while. However, the NHL, NFL and NBA resumed their schedule as soon as possible and decided to keep playing without the thousands of fans in attendance. In fact, the NBA became the first professional sports league to reach 100 games played sans fans. The betting markets responded accordingly…
The NBA was one of the first sports leagues to offer betting. Many avid fans turned to internet betting platforms to get their fill of sports action, and the NBA became a popular choice among casual and seasoned gamblers. In fact, bet365 became the first mainstream sportsbook to introduce odds into a market previously void of any discernible wagering.
The NFL followed suit and saw their weekly wagers increase by 23% during the first week of the NFL regular season. However, the increase wasn’t solely attributed to the return of professional football; the betting community also attributed the rise to the uncertainty surrounding the spread of the coronavirus. As with the NBA, the fear of the unknown is also what drove sharp increases in wagers for the NHL. However, even with the NHL resuming their schedule, the betting markets are still awaiting some clarity regarding the future of the sport.
The Spread Of COVID-19 Threatens The Health Of Professional Sports
The health of professional sports was already a major concern prior to the pandemic. Concussions have become commonplace in the NFL, and most players have sought alternative methods of pain relief. Many have turned to cannabis, which the league has openly endorsed as a treatment for concussions and other injuries. Even more troubling is the growing number of players and staff contracting the coronavirus…
In the last season before the pandemic, 223 out of 22,607 NFL players tested positive for COVID-19. That’s almost 1 in 5 players. Some researchers say the sample size is too small to come to a definitive conclusion, but it’s clear that the spread of COVID-19 is a major threat to the health of professional sports. And, as with so many other aspects of life during this pandemic, money is no object.
New Formulas For Calculating Odds And Key Bets
With the NFL resuming its operations and the likelihood of regular-season games expanding, the need to calculate sports odds increased. And, since the inception of the NHL, the need for intelligent bets also increased. In both cases, smart bettors looked to the internet for the answers they needed, and online communities delivered.
OddsShark, for example, provides a one-stop-shop for all of your sports betting needs. When it comes to providing smart odds on the NHL, there are several factors that make them stand out.
Firstly, the website provides all of the relevant information necessary for calculating smart bets. Secondly, the platform provides a variety of ways to bet on the NHL, both online and via their app. Thirdly, the website provides live betting odds, so you can place bets while the games are in progress. Last but not least, the site provides all of this information in a user-friendly manner. It’s clear that even experienced sports gamblers can have a pleasant experience on the site.
The Outlook For 2021
The outlook for the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs is looking up. Four of the top five teams in the NHL are currently undefeated, and the Detroit Red Wings, who are currently tied for first, haven’t lost a game in well over a month. While the Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars are also in good form, all of these teams have a weakness. Only one of these teams – the Toronto Maple Leafs – boast a perfect record, and they’ll need to overcome some pretty stiff competition in the remainder of the season to make it to the 2021 Finals. As with the rest of the world, sports fans and gamblers have a new found appreciation for the games and athletes that they follow, and they’re willing to lay down their hard-earned money in a variety of ways.
However, as with many things in life, uncertainty surrounds this year’s playoffs. The suspension of the NHL season has caused the cancellation of several matches, and some fans are wondering whether or not they’ll ever see their favorite players grace the ice in a Stanley Cup Playoff game. This, of course, is a different matter entirely, but it does point out the degree of uncertainty that surround the whole matter.
Even after the NHL season was officially over, uncertainty lingered regarding the fate of the Las Vegas arena where the majority of the games were played. The new league year began on September 25th, and the arena was granted a reprieve until the end of October. However, on October 15th, the Naming Rights Sponsor of the arena, Caesars, announced that they were terminating their contract with the city of Las Vegas. The uncertainty regarding the arena’s future has caused much concern amongst the hockey community, and many are wondering whether or not they’ll ever see an NHL game in person again.
Fortunately, the situation is now resolved, and it seems that the new Vegas Golden Knights will enjoy a long and prosperous life. The team has already begun practicing for next season, and fans can now look forward to catching a glimpse of their favorite players, both on and off the ice.