It seems Proline players like the Florida Panthers’ acquisition of forward Brad Marchand at the NHL trade deadline.
Florida landed Marchand from the Boston Bruins on Friday for a conditional second-round selection. The Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup champions and after landing Marchand, their odds of repeating went from 8.00 to 6.00.
The Edmonton Oilers, who reached last year’s Stanley Cup final, are the most wagered-on team by Proline bettors to win the NHL championship at 28 per cent. Florida is next at 16 per cent, just ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs (15 per cent). Rounding out the top-six are the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets (all five per cent).
Toronto and Montreal are the most wagered-on team to win the Eastern Conference (playoffs) at 24 per cent each. Florida (19 per cent) is next, followed by Washington (eight per cent), the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay (both five per cent).
Winnipeg tops betting to win the Western Conference (playoffs) at 28 per cent, just ahead of Edmonton (27 per cent). Dallas (16 per cent), Nashville (10 per cent), Colorado (seven per cent) and Los Angeles (four per cent) round out the top six.
In golf, Russell Henley captured the Arnold Palmer Invitational, taking the outright lead with an eagle on the 16th hole in the final round. A bettor had $100 on Henley to win, resulting in a $6,100 payout.
The Players Championship goes this week at TPC Sawgrass. Scottie Scheffler, who won seven times last year but is still looking for his first victory of the season, is the most wagered-on golfer by Proline players to win the tournament.
Scheffler won this event in 2023 and 2024 and is the most bet-on player to finish both in the top-five and top-10. Rory McIlroy is currently the most popular bet in the leading after the first-round market.
In Formula One, the Australian Open is slated to be held Sunday. Lando Norris is the favourite to win the race but Lewis Hamilton is the most bet-on driver to land in the winner’s circle at 29 per cent.
Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen (19 per cent each) are next, followed by Charles Leclerc (12 per cent). Norris and Carlos Sainz are both at five per cent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2025.
The Canadian Press
