The playoff race is now an interesting battle and NHL betting handicappers have to pay close attention to who is involved.

In the past, the race for the playoffs – and more specifically, the eighth seed – was a race between four or five teams. But with overtime losses now factoring for the playoff chase and NHL betting, the league is one tight-knit group of teams.

As it stands right now, the Colorado Avalanche, who are dead last in the Western Conference, are really only 11 points out of a playoff spot with 18 games to go. Clearly, they have lots of ground to make up but that simply demonstrates that the gap between the eighth-seeded team in the West and the 16th-seeded team is not as wide as you might perceive.

The 12th-seeded St. Louis Blues are just four points out of a playoff spot but six points can get them as high as the sixth-seed in the West.

The race is a little more clear-cut in the Eastern Conference, which is why you will likely see your sportsbook adjust its lines on teams like the Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta Thrashers and New York Islanders.

In the East, just five points separate the teams between the sixth seed and the 10th seed, which means it will be a tight race down the wire.

In general, the races can be perceived in two different ways. On one hand, because of the overtime losses, teams do get free points, which does make the standings much closer than it should be. But on the other hand, since points are handed out regularly, a six-point deficit is actually much bigger than it appears in the new NHL.

Sportsbook lines are adjusting to the teams who are gearing up for playoff runs because we all know the online betting sharps will be looking for games that match teams with something to play for against teams that have nothing to play for.

The trade deadline will give us a good indication of which teams are planning to make a serious Stanley Cup run and which teams are planning to play for a high draft pick. With so many teams close to each other in the standings, though, don’t be surprised if there are far more buyers than sellers at the deadline.

Stanley Cup odds figure to change after the deadline passes, so keep an eye on the betting lines but, more importantly, keep an eye on which teams are being active at the deadline and which teams are focusing on their future.

The lottery, which is really a government-run sportsbook, offers only parlay bets forcing bettors to win at least three wagers before they can cash in.

Not surprisingly, the odds on those parlays heavily favor the house (government). As such, Proline is really Revenue Canada in disguise.

Admittedly, Proline has been safe and convenient allowing Canadians to place sports bets at their corner store – no need to meet a sleazy bookie at a sports bar.

Yet, there is an even better way to place a sports bet, thanks to the medium you are using right now. The Internet has brought sports betting to your home, workplace, vacation spot, cell phone, etc. Basically anywhere you can get a connection.

And unlike Proline, sports betting online is fair. As a result of fierce competition, most of online sportsbooks offer exceptionally attractive odds and a plethora of betting opportunities, not just parlays.

In other words, an online bettor is not forced to bet on a minimum of three games like Proline. Instead, he can bet on a single game if he wishes.

And that bet can be on the moneyline, puckline, Canadian line, over, under, etc. – whatever type of wager he feels offers him the best chance of lining his pockets.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how the odds of winning one game are exponentially better than the odds of winning on three games.

How many times have you won on two of three games on your Proline ticket only to rip it up courtesy of an upset?

Most Proline bettors lose, and the Canadian government is laughing all the way to the bank. Where is this money going? Who knows? Probably to some advertising crooks in Quebec.

When you play Proline you might as well be playing a rigged slot machine.

On the other hand, when you bet with an online book, you’re matching your wits with a bookmaker, someone who, like you, thrives on the thrill of victory and agonizes over defeat.

Online bookmakers challenge bettors to take their best shot at them, and when they’ve been beaten, most will gladly payout.

Contrary to what the government might lead you to believe, there are very few unscrupulous bookmakers on the web. And as long as you stick with Puckline, we’ll make sure you never get your pocket picked.

One final note, while we have slammed Proline and its parlay bets, it must be noted that most online bookmakers do offer parlays. The difference is that the variety of parlay bets is plentiful and imaginative, and the odds are much more attractive.

Thus, with some sound reasoning and a little luck, you can still turn two bucks into two thousand when you bet online.

So do your bankroll a favor and open up an account at one of our recommended sportsbooks. You’ll happily find yourself waving cash in the face of the Proline losers who continue to subsidize the Liberals and their crooked cronies.