A key element that I’ve incorporated when handicapping NHL games pertains to each team’s special team’s efficiency. I refer to it as my special teams rating. The equation is quite simple. I take the percentage of time a team converts on their power play attempts, and then add that number to the percentage in which that same team kills off power play chances against them. The sum of those 2 numbers equals that team’s special teams rating. I’ve illustrated an example below.

Example: As of this writing, (4/30/18), the Boston Bruins have been successful in scoring a goal on 24.4% of their power play attempts this season. The Bruins have also denied their opponents from scoring on 83.0% of their man advantage situations. By adding the two percentage numbers of 83.0 and 24.4 we arrive at a sum of 107.4. We’ve now established Boston’s special teams rating as being 107.4.

Now let’s compare that to Boston’s current Eastern Conference Semifinals opponent the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning have been successful on 24.2% of their power play chances during this 2017-2018 NHL campaign. Conversely, Tampa Bay has killed off just 76.3% of their shorthanded situations. Once again, we add those 2 numbers up and get a sum of 100.7.

How to use the Ratings to Handicap the NHL

When play resumes after the NHL all-star break, every team is already into their second half schedules. It’s at that point and beyond where we’ve established an ample sample size of special team’s performance lines on all 31 NHL clubs.

Now let’s use the previously mentioned illustration on Boston and Tampa Bay’s special team ratings. Boston had a rating of 107.4 and Tampa Bay was at 100.7. Doing the simple math of 107.4 and subtracting 100.7 equates to Boston possessing a +6.7 special teams rating advantage over Tampa Bay. Any team holding a rating difference of +5.0 or better is considered substantial. Furthermore, if the team with the better special team’s ratings has a win percentage of .600 or better, it creates a superb betting value.

Remaining 2018 Stanley Cup Contenders

At this present time, there are 8 teams still vying to hoist the Stanley Cup come June. Below is each of those clubs special teams ratings from starting with the highest to lowest numbers.

1. Boston Bruins:            107.4
2. Pittsburgh Penguins:  105.9
3. San Jose Sharks:         105.5
4. Winnipeg Jets:             105.0
5. Washington Capitals:  104.6
6. Las Vegas Golden Knights: 104.6
7. Nashville Predators:    103.1
8. Tampa Bay Lightning: 100.7

Hockey bettors should thin about implementing this NHL handicapping concept into your arsenal and provide yourself with another avenue to find any kind of betting edge.

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com