NHL odds betting is a strange beast. In some years, when we desperately want to see certain storylines come to fruition, the hockey betting Gods laugh at us. Take 2007; the Leafs and Canadiens were both eliminated in the last 24 hours of the regular season and the New York Islanders made the big Dance.

We also saw the following TRASHY mid-2000s Stanley Cup odds sports wagering matchups:

New Jersey/Anaheim

Tampa Bay/Calgary

Edmonton/Carolina

Ottawa/Anaheim

Almost as bad as — gulp — Orlando/Denver possibly meeting in the NBA odds final! Well, finally, things have changed for the better. The Original Six teams are making a comeback — five of six made the bet online NHL playoffs and we’re getting to see the Red Wings vs Blackhawks odds right now — and we even got to see the Crosby/Ovechkin matchup we so patiently awaited. Now, the Pens and Wings are each one win away from a rematch. If they win their next games, the Stanley Cup odds will start Saturday. Woo!

I know it’s getting warmer outside and it’s hard to watch hockey in late May, but try not to take this year’s great matchups for granted, NHL odds followers.