How do you define luck in hockey? Is it a sideboard that’s just a bit off and leads to an inadvertent goal when it’s hit at the right angle? Is it a stick that shatters when a skater has a shot at a wide-open net? Is it a shot from the blue line that deflects off an unsuspecting defender and past the goalie who couldn’t adjust to the sudden change in direction? Is it all that, or is it something else?
At BetColorado, your source for all things Colorado sports betting, we’re defining luck for this article as a team’s record on St. Patrick’s Day. Using Hockey-Reference.com, we tallied the win total for each NHL team playing on March 17 over the past 10 seasons. The ranked list is based on the total percentage of wins.
Luckiest NHL Teams
Rank | Team | % Wins |
T-1 | Winnipeg Jets | 100% |
T-1 | Colorado Avalanche | 100% |
T-1 | Detroit Red Wings | 100% |
T-1 | Vegas Golden Knights | 100% |
T-5 | Edmonton Oilers | 75% |
T-5 | Los Angeles Kings | 75% |
T-5 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 75% |
T-8 | Buffalo Sabres | 66.7% |
T-8 | Chicago Blackhawks | 66.7% |
T-8 | Philadelphia Flyers | 66.7% |
T-8 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 66.7% |
These numbers are exclusive to BetColorado.com and are unavailable on Colorado sports betting apps.
While the table above shows the Avs as one of the luckiest teams in the NHL, the fact is Colorado has just played once on March 17 since 2015. In 2019, Tyson Barrie scored twice, Sven Andrighetto assisted on both and Nathan MacKinnon added an assist and an empty-net goal in the team’s 3-0 home win over the New Jersey Devils.
Over the years, Colorado has played several times on March 16 and March 18, but aside from 2019, they’ve had St. Patrick’s Day off. That’s the case this season, too. Colorado hosts the Dallas Stars for a Sunday afternoon tilt on March 16, then don’t play again until they travel to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs on March 19.
Speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, did you know the Maple Leafs used to be called the Toronto St. Patricks? They even won a Stanley Cup in 1922. Toronto kept that name until 1927, when they became the Maple Leafs.
Colorado Primed For Playoff Push
The Colorado Avalanche are heading into the final quarter of the season. Through 60 games, they’re 34-24-2. That’s good right now for the top wild card spot in the Western Conference. They’re also just two points back of the Minnesota Wild for third place in the Central Division, and those two teams play in Denver Friday night.
While Colorado would technically be the seventh seed in the conference, if the season ended now, oddsmakers are more bullish on the Avs chances to make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. At BetMGM Colorado Sportsbook, their odds to win fourth Cup and second in four years are +1300. Those odds are tied with New Jersey for the ninth shortest on BetMGM’s board.
The Edmonton Oilers, who are just two points ahead, are the favorites at +575. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets, who are running away with the top seed in the west with 87 points (11 more than the Dallas Stars) are priced at +1100.
For individual awards, MacKinnon is currently the favorite at FanDuel Colorado to win his first Art Ross Trophy, which goes to the player who leads the league in points. Last year’s Hart Trophy winner currently leads the NHL with 90 points (27 goals and a league-best 67 assists) and has odds of -110 to win the Ross.
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
