The Top 3 Over Bets This Season In The NHL

Claude Giroux and the Flyers have filled the net so far this season. (Photo credit: R.T.Lee via Foter.com / CC BY-ND)


There might not be a more fun bet to make in hockey than taking the Over.

You get to cheer for goals by both teams, and with hockey totals usually set at 5 or 5.5, you almost always feel like you’ve got a chance to cash your bet.

Even a 5-0 game in the third period is still interesting if you’ve got an Over ticket in your pocket. And a 2-2 game needs just one more goal and then an empty netter to win the Over.

There were lots of goals scored in the NHL over the first week of the season, giving us hope that the high-scoring days of the NHL may be returning.

Unfortunately, goals have dropped a bit in the past week, as coaches have made some adjustments and goaltenders are settling in. But there are still some teams that are playing some exciting games and cashing lots of Over bets.

Here are the 3 best over bets in NHL hockey so far:

1. Philadelphia Flyers (8-1-1 Over/Under)


Philly has been playing a wide-open brand of hockey to open the season, with an average of 7.3 goals being scored over their first 10 contests.

Oddsmakers have set the total at 5.5 for 7 of the Flyers’ 10 games, including their past 5. Ironically, the one Under the Flyers played was when the Over/Under was 5 (a 3-1 loss in Montreal Oct. 24.)

In their last 4 games, the Flyers haven’t just gone over the total, they’ve soared over. They’ve scored 4 goals in each of their last 4 games, allowing 5 on two occasions and allowing 3 in the other two games.

Philly’s defence ranks 29th in the NHL, averaging 3.8 goals against per contest. They don’t have a clear No. 1 goaltender as both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth have struggled.

Philly’s third-ranked offence might not be sustainable, however. The Flyers ranked 22nd in the NHL in scoring last year and have relied on a hot power play (27.5%, 3rd in the NHL) for a lot of their offence this year. Philadelphia is ninth in the NHL in shots per game (31.1).

2. Carolina Hurricanes (6-2 Over/Under)


The Hurricanes have been one of the most boring teams to watch over the past few years, but things are different so far this season.

Carolina has played Over the total in 6 of its first 8 games. Oddsmakers set the total at 5 in each of the Canes’ first 2 games, but quickly increased it to 5.5 for 5 of their next 6 contests after Carolina posted 5-4 and 4-3 losses to start the year.

The Hurricanes have scored 3 goals or more in 6 of their 8 games, and surrendered 4+ goals in 5 of those games. Both their games that went Under the total were 3-2 finals, going Under by half a goal.

Carolina’s offence has ranked 27th, 27th and 22nd in the NHL the past 3 seasons, but they’re 9th this year so far despite ranking 26th in the league in shots on goal. Carolina’s power play has clicked at 25.9 per cent, 5th in the league.

The other big reason the Canes have gone Over so much is their 27th-ranked defence, allowing 3.8 goals per game.

3. Calgary Flames (6-4 Over/Under)


Calgary was a hot Over bet to start the year, but that trend has cooled over the past week.

The Flames went Over the total in 5 of their first 6, with 2 of those games featuring 10+ goals and another seeing 8 goals scored. However, 3 of Calgary’s last 4 games went Under, including a 3-1 loss Sunday at home to the Capitals (when the score was 2-1 after the first period).

Calgary’s offence has held up its end of the Over bargain, averaging 3 goals per game so far. Their attack could only get better, considering their power play ranks 27th in the league at 10.8%.

Defence, particularly goaltending, seems to be the reason the Flames are playing more low-scoring games lately. Brian Elliott struggled in his first 2 starts in a Flames uniform, getting torched for 10 goals by the Oilers. However, he’s settled into his new jersey now, allowing 2 goals or less in each of his last 4 appearances.

If you are looking to bet the Flames Over the total, you’re probably better off to do it when they’re playing at home. Calgary has gone over in 5 of 6 games at the Saddledome, compared to a 1-3 Over-Under mark on the road.