It’s hard to believe we’re already a quarter of the way through the NHL season, but that’s about where we are going into Tuesday’s action.
The lockout-shortened schedule promised to deal us a few surprises, and that’s definitely what it’s done. Here’s a look at some of the best and worst bets in the NHL so far this season, including a few we didn’t see coming.
(Dollar values represent how much you would have made or lost if you bet $100 on that team every game this season.)

Best team to bet on: New Jersey ($922)
The Devils are off to a fantastic start, earning a point in all but one of their first 12 games. Jersey actually lost four straight games at one point, but three of those defeats came in overtime or a shootout. Since then, the Devils have run off five consecutive wins, including impressive back-to-back wins over the Penguins. Defence has once again been key to the Devils’ success. New Jersey has held opponents to two goals or less in nine of 12 games.
Honourable mentions: Anaheim ($791), Pittsburgh ($628), Boston ($627), Tampa Bay ($549)

Worst team to bet on: Philadelphia (-$1007)
If you’ve been betting on the Flyers every game this season, you’re probably planning on asking your bank for a loan in the near future. Philly has been a huge disappointment, losing six of its first eight games, though the Flyers had won three of five going into Tuesday’s action. Surprisingly, goal scoring – not goaltending – has been Philadelphia’s weakness this year. The Flyers have scored two goals or less in all but three of 13 games to start the year. They’ve also been horrible on the road, losing six of seven including defeats at Buffalo, Washington and Toronto.
Dishonourable mentions: Florida (-$887, Calgary (-$634), Minnesota (-$628), Washington (-$487)

Best over bet: St. Louis (8-2 over/under)
The Blues don’t lead the NHL in goals, and they don’t lead the NHL in goals against. But oddsmakers continue to post low totals on St. Louis games, and the Blues keep finding a way to go over. Eight of 12 St. Louis games have had over/unders of 5, with just one of them going under and two of them pushing. The Blues haven’t gone under the total since their fourth game of the year, a 3-0 win in Nashville. Their defence has been porous in recent games, allowing 26 goals in the last five games. That’s almost enough to go over the total on its own.
Honourable mentions: Tampa Bay (7-3), Buffalo (8-5)

Best under bet: Nashville (2-10 over/under)
Nashville has the most anemic attack in the NHL, averaging exactly two goals a game through its first dozen. But the Predators are still over .500 because of their defence, which ranks second to Boston. When you don’t score many goals and you don’t allow many goals, that makes you the perfect candidate for an under ticket. In nine of Nashville’s 12 games, one team has been held to one goal or less. Low scoring games also tend to mean a lot of close games, and half of the Preds’ contests have gone to overtime. Five needed a shootout to decide.
Honourable mentions: Edmonton (2-9), Colorado (2-8), Vancouver (2-7)