What happens when NHL teams put their backup goalie in the net? To answer that, I've got your NHL backup goalie betting trends. I've pulled their SU, ATS, and totals records from last year so you can make the right bet when that second-stringer is between the pipes.
You'll want to focus on betting the OVER when the backup gets the start, except if that backup is Laurent Brossoit, he bucks our backup goalie trends.
NHL Backup Goalie Betting Trends
| Market | Record | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| SU | 422-499 (45.8%) | -$9,574.55 |
| ATS | 434-486 (47.2%) | -$8,418.57 |
| O/U | 470-399-51 (54.1%) | +$1,705.19 |
When the backup is on the ice, teams win less frequently (45.8%) and see the goal total go OVER more often at 54%. Blind betting the OVER last year when a backup is in the net, would have brought you $1,705 in profits.
That adds up when you consider backups averaged 0.903SV% and 2.92GAA. Both were just below the league average. The backup is, after all, the worst goalie on the team, it's only natural to see negative results SU and goal fests when they play.
And look, teams try to protect their backups. On average a backup saw two fewer shots per game than their team's overall average in 23-24. Take Kevin Lankinen with Nashville for example, he saw an average of 25.4 shots per game. That's 5.2 less (per game) than Nashville allowed during the season.
So while you bet the OVER on the goal total bet the UNDER on that goalie's shot prop in 24-25.
NHL Backup Betting Trends: Trend Breakers
Not every backup is created equally. Some of the second-stringers out there break the trends we've established. Former Winnipeg backup Laurent Brossoit is one of those trendbreakers.
| Market | Record | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| SU | 15-8 (65.2%) | +$366.47 |
| ATS | 13-10 (56.5%) | +$644.64 |
| O/U | 11-11-1 (50%) | -$127.12 |
Sure, Brossoit got to play in a formidably tough defensive Winnipeg squad, but we've seen the 10-year NHL vet record a save percentage above 0.915 five times already and three times in the last four years. Now with Chicago, Brossoit will be the Hawks' 1B goalie and will surprise in Chi-Town so get ready to bet against sportsbooks and have Brossoit make you some tidy profits.
Jonathan Quick is another trendbreaker. Last year the 38-year-old saw his best season since 2017-18 with a 0.911SV% and 2.62GAA. And like Brossoit saw profit across the board.
| Market | Record | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| SU | 18-9 (66.7%) | +$451.49 |
| ATS | 17-10 (63%) | +$999.99 |
| O/U | 14-12-1 (53.8%) | +2.99 |
Quick peeled back the years last season thanks to a reduced workload of 26 starts and five of the Rangers' 12 back-to-backs (19%). They also did a good job in front of him with only 28.5 shots going goalwards per game. That's a shot per game less than the Rangers' 29.5 average on the year.
Quick rewarded them with 5.5 goals stopped above expected, won two-thirds of his games, and averaged a 0.911V% and 2.62GAA. Treat your backup well and he'll win you some games. Going into 24-25 I'd parlay the Rangers ATS when they start Quick (look at his nearly $1,000 of profit) with the UNDER on his shot prop.
