The least predictable of all sports that we cover is heading to the playoffs. The NHL confounds us every year. In the old days (before OT losses and shootouts), we would go about 60% outright winners, ignoring ties altogether. Now, we have managed to see that percentage drop to 56%. The OT results tend to go almost 50-50 in terms of whether or not the favorite wins or loses. So, we no longer toss out those games where the score is tied at the end of regulation. We replace them with 50-50 results which drag down the entire success rate.

We are always amazed at NHL betting lines. You often see teams listed as -200 favorites in a sport where randomness reigns supreme. We suspect you could take every +180 or higher underdog and make out quite nicely over the course of a season. When you can only pick the outright winner 56% of the time, should there ever be a -200 favorite?

In terms of playoffs, being a #1 seed means almost nothing in the NHL. We would be surprised to see a #1 seed even make the finals. Getting hot in springtime gets it done. Being hot in March or early April is meaningless ...

UPDATE #1: Well, we were half right. Vancouver, with the league's best regular season record, was crushed in the first round by Los Angeles, the #8 seed. The NY Rangers, best record in the east, squeaked by #8 seeded Ottawa by coming back from a 3-2 deficit to win the final two games. Then, the Rangers got past Washington in a 7-game series. They might just make it to the finals. Then again, New Jersey still has a solid shot.

As for the NBA playoffs ... first you have to get rid of the riff-raff. You know, the Denvers and Memphis's of the world. Got to believe the Lakers are toast. Only beat Denver because they were permitted to beat them up by crappy officials. But ... that's the NBA for you. Worst officiated league in America. Sour grapes? Sure. We see the same crap every single year in this phony league. The regular season is a complete joke and many teams treat it that way. It only determines the riff-raff that makes the playoffs and gets sent packing in the first or second round. There are enough Sacramentos and Charlottes in the league to assure maybe 12 teams a playoff spot even if they fart around the entire regular season. Heat, I'm talking to you.

We have long enjoyed making sports bets at CentSports. Today (8/31/11) comes the sad news that CentSports has been absorbed into another free sports betting site. That other site has a series of rules that encourage you to spend 33 cents a day to get a reasonable shot at winning. We do not consider it a "free" site in the real sense of the word. Yes, we belong there, but the twisted rules seem designed to make a profit and to never give a player an even break ... Just our opinion. For awhile, we were limited to making a $3 profit on any play with a $200 minimum cash out. They seem to have eased up a tiny bit on those ridiculous restrictions, but it's still very difficult to get anywhere.

But hey, it's better than nothing!