Alright, so I wanted to get into making some NHL preseason picks. I gotta say, it’s a bit of a different beast than the regular season. Teams are trying out new lines, rookies are getting a shot, and the intensity isn’t always there. But hey, that’s what makes it interesting, right?
First thing I did was look at the schedule. I noticed some teams were playing more games than others. I figured those teams might be more focused on evaluating players rather than going all-out for wins. So, I marked those down as teams to potentially fade, especially if they were playing against a team with a more condensed schedule.
Checking the Rosters
Next, I dug into the rosters. I spent hours looking at team websites, articles, and even some social media to get a sense of who was playing and who was sitting. I realized that some teams were icing pretty close to their regular season lineups, while others were giving a ton of ice time to guys who might not even make the team. That gave me some ideas about which teams might be taking these games more seriously.
Considering Motivation
Motivation is a big one in the preseason. Some teams, especially those with established cores, might just be going through the motions. Others, particularly those with a lot of roster battles, might have players really looking to make an impression. I tried to read between the lines in coach interviews and player comments to get a sense of where each team’s head was at.
Making My Picks
- Based on my research, I started making some picks. I leaned toward teams with more stable rosters and those that seemed more motivated. I also considered the matchups and looked for spots where a team with a lot of new faces was going up against a more established squad.
- In the end, I came up with my bets. I made sure to shop around and find the best numbers. The games went just as I thought!
It’s definitely not an exact science, but it was a fun process. It’s all about doing your homework, paying attention to the details, and trying to figure out which teams are actually trying to win these games. You never know until the final score but you can take calculated risks!
