The Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America. Every year the top teams in the NHL, or National Hockey League, battle it out in a tournament to win the Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup Finals is the name of the entire tournament and comprises of teams from both the US and Canada.
The Stanley Cup was first awarded in 1893, and since then has found its home mainly in five team’s trophy case; The Montreal Canadiens, the Detroit Redwings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Montreal Canadiens have to date had the most wins, with the New York Rangers having the most seasons between wins, which was 52 between 1940 and 1994.
The NHL Season Is Not Reflective Of The Stanley Cup Finals
When placing a wager on the Stanley Cup Finals, it is important not to place too much stock in the games that have come before. During the actual NHL season teams may perform very differently to how they do in the Stanley Cup Finals. Injury, team chemistry and even travelling could play a huge part in individual games throughout the season. Also keep in mind that the sides from different conferences very seldom actually get to meet during the NHL season. Therefore the Stanley Cup Finals may involve two teams which have not played each other all year.
Anticipate Changes
The line up of the teams in smaller playoffs such as the Stanley Cup Finals may be very different and change much more quickly than it does during the rest of the season. Coaches juggle players to exploit the weaknesses of their immediate opponents, often a number of times per game. Look closely at the teams, and who will play against whom. Try to think like a coach, and anticipate what juggling will take place in each team and how it will affect the game before you make your bet.
Choose The Best Site
Not all australian sports betting sites are equal. Make sure that the one that you choose has the best odds and side bets that suit you. You are looking for a large wagering menu of alternate lines and handicaps which will allow you take advantage of every betting angle.
Don’t Increase Your Bet In The Finals
When the final game is imminent, many bookies will up their limits. This does not mean that you have to increase your bet along with them. Don’t just go along with what the bookies say and pressure you to do. There is a number of little, hidden gems that you can bet on if you know where to look. One or two of the games in the Stanley Cup Finals will have six or more goals scored within the duration of the game, and betting on that could pay out handsomely.
Remember that defence plays a huge part in the outcome of a game. A knee jerk reaction by the general public during a game could drive the odds of one or another team up, despite how they look on paper. Don’t just go blindly with what is on offer at the time.