Ovechkin Nears 900 Goals, Igniting Betting Interest
Alex Ovechkin`s journey to 900 career NHL goals is drawing significant betting attention, following his record-breaking pursuit of Wayne Gretzky`s all-time goals last season. Currently at 899 goals, Ovechkin could reach this unprecedented milestone as early as Tuesday night during the annual `Frozen Frenzy` when the Washington Capitals face the Dallas Stars. While the hype isn`t as intense as his chase for Gretzky`s record, DraftKings reports Ovechkin is still the 10th most-bet NHL player for prop bets this season, with interest surging as he approaches key career achievements.
Karry Shreeve, Head of Hockey at Caesars Sportsbook, noted the increasing interest, stating, “It was a slower start to his season, but the interest has ramped up, and with tomorrow’s Frozen Frenzy it’s a great time for him to get there [to 900 goals].” Shreeve also observed renewed interest in the Capitals` Stanley Cup futures, leading Caesars to shorten their odds to 15-1. These odds, however, vary widely across sportsbooks, from 15-1 at Caesars to as long as 30-1 at BetMGM and FanDuel, with DraftKings ranking Washington as the 13th most-bet team for the Cup.
For Tuesday`s game, the Capitals are +115 underdogs against the Stars (-135), with the total set at 5.5 (over -130). Ovechkin is listed at +155 to score a goal. BetMGM reports strong support for Washington to win, with nearly three-quarters of wagers backing them. Interestingly, while Ovechkin is the second most-backed player to score, betting on “Ovechkin under 3.5 shots” is the second most popular market by handle, surpassing total, spread, or anytime goal scorer bets.
LeBron James Injury Shifts Lakers Odds
The news of LeBron James missing the start of his 23rd NBA season due to sciatica significantly altered the Los Angeles Lakers` betting outlook. The Lakers, initially favorites against the Golden State Warriors, immediately became underdogs after James` expected absence until mid-November was announced. James, entering his 23rd NBA season, is expected to be out until mid-November.
Jeff Sherman, a veteran NBA oddsmaker at Westgate SuperBook, clarified that while James` individual value might not account for a 5.5-point swing, the line movement was amplified by the initially low spread. Sherman adjusted the Lakers` season-win total from 48.5 to 46.5, anticipating approximately 12 missed games for the 40-year-old star. Despite this, the broader betting market showed only a slight adjustment, and the Lakers remain a highly popular bet for winning the championship at SuperBook, attracting more wagers than any other team “by a wide margin.”
AFC North Betting Market Sees Major Shifts
The AFC North has proven to be the most unpredictable division in the NFL this season, with recent results dramatically reshaping betting odds. The Cincinnati Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Flacco, delivered a significant upset against the Pittsburgh Steelers as five-point underdogs, causing a ripple effect across the division`s futures market. Flacco won his 12th game as starting QB against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Following the loss, the Steelers, initially strong favorites to win the division (-160) and make the playoffs (-275), saw their odds lengthen to +115 for the AFC North and -140 for playoffs. Conversely, the Bengals` fortunes surged, moving from 16-1 to +600 for the division and from 11-1 to +400 for a playoff spot. The Baltimore Ravens, on a bye week, also benefited, with their AFC North odds improving from +160 to +130. BetMGM, however, identified the Ravens as the most-backed team to *miss* the playoffs by handle, despite opening the season as Super Bowl co-favorites at +650 (now 18-1).
Bettors responded immediately to Pittsburgh`s defeat, with ESPN BET reporting that the Ravens garnered 36% of the handle for the AFC North, and the Bengals attracted 32.5% of the wagers. The Steelers, in contrast, saw only 14.5% of tickets and a mere 1% of the money. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns, a distant 35-1 to win the division, continue to feature in games with exceptionally low totals. Reports of severe weather for their matchup against the Miami Dolphins caused the total to drop from 40.5 at open to 36.5, with 98% of handle at BetMGM on the under, potentially making it the league`s lowest total this season.
NFL MVP Race Sees Major Shake-Up After Tumultuous Week 6
Week 6 of the NFL season brought significant upheaval to the MVP futures market, culminating in a new favorite for the first time since Week 2. Following two consecutive losses for the Buffalo Bills, reigning MVP Josh Allen dropped from first to third on ESPN BET`s odds board at +325. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ascended to the lead at +200, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield continued his impressive surge, moving into second-favorite status at +300. Patrick Mahomes becomes the new NFL MVP favorite after Week 6.
Mahomes has gained considerable betting momentum, accumulating the most handle at ESPN BET since the season`s start and Week 4, having previously hit odds as long as 25-1 on September 28. However, the public`s overwhelming preference is for Mayfield, who opened at 30-1 and is seeking his first MVP award. Since opening day, Mayfield has attracted more tickets at DraftKings and ESPN BET than any other player, and the most handle at DraftKings, making him BetMGM`s largest liability. BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini noted, “Baker Mayfield’s play has vaulted him up into top contention, and Josh Allen’s back-to-back losses have bumped him down a bit… there’s no clear front runner this early on in the NFL MVP race.”
The top 5 NFL MVP candidates are:
- Patrick Mahomes, KC: +200
- Baker Mayfield, TB: +300
- Josh Allen, BUF: +325
- Drake Maye, NE: 11-1
- Matthew Stafford, LAR: 16-1
The Ripple Effect
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is also a rapidly rising contender. After starting the season at 50-1, he now sits in fourth place at 11-1 at ESPN BET. Maye`s breakout performance has propelled New England to a 4-2 start and first place in the AFC East. This success has significantly shortened the Patriots` odds to win the division from +550 to +185.
Conversely, the Bills` recent losses have weakened their AFC East odds, lengthening from -350 pre-season to -225, a dramatic shift from -2500 just before Week 4. Buffalo`s slide and Kansas City`s resurgence have also impacted the Super Bowl market, with the Chiefs and Bills now co-favorites at +600, a change from Buffalo`s solo favorite status at +500 entering the week.
