There is no shortage of prop bets for someone to take advantage of when it comes to the Super Bowl. We can wager on everything from the how long it will take Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem to what color the Gatorade will be when the newly minted champs drench their head coach.
For those of you looking for a more intellectual approach to your prop wagering for the big game, then look at the cross-sport options. Sportsbook.com has more than enough bets on the board having to do with the Super Bowl and the NBA and NHL.
On the ice, Sportsbook.com has seven plays between football’s top battle and the two games in the NHL on Sunday. Let’s take a look at a few of these “who will have more” wagers.
Capitals-Penguins Goals or Colts-Saints Touchdowns?
The first thing we should do is give kudos to the NHL for putting a game that is actually worth watching on Super Sunday. Pittsburgh and the Capitals have developed one of the better rivalries going in the league right now. And these two clubs have had fun lighting the lamp this season. Washington leads the NHL in scoring with 214 goals so far, while the Penguins are fifth with 173. These two clubs have scored at least seven goals together in 10 of their last 12 meetings.
The Saints and Colts both scored 34 passing touchdowns during the regular season. Also, New Orleans has pushed through 21 scores on the ground. Most every expert is expecting this game to be the highest scoring in history. According to Sportsbook.com, 75 percent of the bettor’s cash has posted on the ‘over.’ Even our Editorial Department has the final score at 32-31, so you have to figure that is going to be eight touchdowns.
This is a tough call, but I’m going to go with the Colts and Saints for this wager for a plus-115.
Bruins’ Shots on Goal or Colts’ Points?
Boston hasn’t looked anywhere like the club that had 116 points a year ago. Of course, that happens when you lose guys like Phil Kessel via trade or Marc Savard for injuries during the season. Even with those setbacks, the B’s have been remarkably consistent at firing at opposing netminders. Last year, the Bruins were averaging 30.3 shots on goal. In 2009-10, they are 30.5 SOG.
Indianapolis has averaged 20.6 points per game over the regular season and 25 PPG in the playoffs. While that would not persuade anyone to play on the Colts here, the fact that they’re facing New Orleans’ secondary here will.
The deciding factor for me on this play is the fact that Boston is taking on the Canadiens. Montreal is allowing opponents to take 33 SOGs on Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak this season. The Habs just let Vancouver take 47 shots on Halak last Tuesday. I think we’re going to see the B’s do much of the same and cover the +1 ½ (-115) margin.
Sidney Crosby Points or Drew Brees Interceptions?
Even though he helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup last season, it seems like the goal scoring switch was turned on for Sidney Crosby this year. Crosby had 33 goal for all of the 2008-09 campaign. This season, he’s already lit the lamp 37 times to lead the league.
Drew Brees has been exceptionally accurate during this season, having thrown 11 picks during the regular season. And he has yet to toss an interception in the postseason. The only thing you can say against Brees is that he has more picks (5) than touchdowns (4) in his three career games against the Colts.
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see Brees making a lot of mistakes against the Colts’ defense this weekend. That means we’ll play on Crosby having more points (-115) than the Saints’ signal caller giving the ball away through the air.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
