The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs start on Monday, May 2, which is why it’s important for us to set NHL Playoff betting strategies. The most important thing to understand about the National Hockey League is that of the four leagues, the NHL often has the wildest postseason. Keep in mind the following six tips to ensure you profit from this year’s NHL Playoffs.

Top 6 Betting Tips for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

After 1,296 games in 2021-22, we could go down to the final game tonight to determine the full picture for the First Round of the 2022 #StanleyCup Playoffs.

To be decided Friday, April 29:
▪️ 8 seeds
▪️ 6 matchups
▪️ Home ice for MIN vs. STL#NHLStats: https://t.co/c2DA3UExB7 pic.twitter.com/o4Y2otLVl8

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 29, 2022

READ MORE: 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Keys

Tip #1 – Don’t read too much into regular season records

Regular season records are meaningless. Well, overall regular season records mean nothing. For example, the Calgary Flames should finish with 10 to 16 more points than the Nashville Predators. But in Round 1, the Flames are likely to face the Preds who went 2-0-1 versus Calgary in 3 head-to-head matchups. Which team really has the edge? Nashville or the higher seeded Flames?

Tip #2 – Home ice means something in the postseason

Hockey teams, like most sports teams, thrive at home. In hockey it can be especially true because like an NBA player, the best shooters in hockey prefer to launch the puck from specific spots on their ice. Not only that, but like a wooden floor, not team’s ice is exactly like another teams. Players discover the best places on their ice to skate, shoot, and they know the less than optimal places on their ice to force their opponents.

Tip #3 – Give an advantage to the team with at least one top defenseman

Teams with one or two top defensive players have an advantage. Victor Hedman led Tampa’s defense in both 2020 and 2021. Alex Pietrangelo was St. Louis’ star in 2019. In 2018, the Caps leaned on John Carlson to seamlessly move between defense and offense. Carlson was Washington’s fourth top goal scorer.

Tip #4 – Don’t back NHL teams going off at underlay odds

The NHL is a parity league. Teams don’t always step it up in the playoffs. In 2019, Tampa Bay entered the NHL Playoffs a +250 chalk to win the Cup. TB had dominated during the regular season. But the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Lightning 4-0 in the first round. Don’t back underlays to win the trophy or to win individual games.

Tip #5 – Handicap coaches as well as teams

Coaches that learn how to manage games in the playoffs often have success the following season. Pay particular attention to how Andrew Burnette, the Florida Panthers interim head coach, manages the first series versus the Washington Capitals. The Caps may be short handed if Alex Ovechkin can’t step onto the ice. But if Ovechkin plays, Burnette will have to dig deep to create strategies around containing Ovechkin.

Tip #6 – Beware teams that take off a game

Hockey is a brutal sports on your body. It’s one of the most physically taxing sports imaginable. So, yes, players will take matches off to heal for the next match. If a team goes up 2-0 in a series, there’s a good chance, they rest in the third match. Don’t stick to the rule. It’s not gospel. But pay attention to teams up big on their rivals. Teams loaded with veterans are especially prone to taking the third or fourth game off depending on where it happens, away or home, and if their squad has a series lead.

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