Frozen Assets: The Best and Worst Teams Against the Spread

Betting teams against the spread (ATS), also known as “the puckline” is a great way to even up teams’ chances to win. Favorites have to win by two goals (-1.5), and underdogs can lose by one and bettors still win (+1.5).

It can also be a way to go for a big payout by taking a slight favorite to win on the puckline, and a way to play safe, by taking a slight underdog to win on the puckline.

Who have been the best and worst teams on the puckline this year?

Best

Calgary Flames – 13-7, +13.01 units

The Calgary Flames have been on of the better teams in the NHL and have been the best team in the NHL on the puckline. Calgary is 6-7 as a 1.5 goal favorite and 7-0 as a 1.5 goal underdog.

New York Islanders – 17-4, +12.79 units

The Islanders have exceeded expectations this year, but they are still in the Atlantic division basement. The reason for New York’s success ATS is because they are usually underdogs (and +1.5 on the puckline) and have gone to overtime ten times already. Not only are the Islanders 15-4 at +1.5, when they have been favorites (against Atlanta and Edmonton) they have covered the -1.5 goal spread.

New York Rangers – 12-9, +956 units

The Rangers are third best in the NHL against the spread. This is somewhat of a surprise because after a strong start to the season New York is 4-8-1 in its last 13 games. The Rangers have a 7-8 record as favorites, and a 5-1 record as underdogs.

Worst

Minnesota Wild – 6-15, -1535 units

The Minnesota Wild are at the bottom of the Northwest division at 7-12-2. Minnesota has been a less than respectable 6-6 as underdogs (+1.5) this season. The real damage has been done with Minnesota being favored. The Wild have won 5 out of the 9 times they have been favored, but have yet to win by more than one goal. They are 0-9 on the puckline as favorites.

Carolina Hurricanes – 8-13, -1263 units

What’s even more disconcerting than the Hurrcanes’ ATS record is that oddsmakers have made them favorites seven times this year. Carolina is just 1-6 on the puckline as a favorite, and 7-7 as an underdog.

Anaheim Ducks – 7-13, -1124 units

The Anaheim Ducks must be considered one of the most disappointing teams in the Western Conference. They are in 14th place despite having talent to compete with the second tier teams in the West. Anaheim has been a favorite in 10 of its 20 games this season, and has only won two of those games by more than one goal. As underdogs they are 5-5 ATS.

Last year the Colorado Avalanche were the worst team in the league ATS at 37-45, -24.59 units. Can you guess who was he best team on the puckline was last year? They finished 49-32 ATS and netted bettors +34.49 units.