As we draw closer to the beginning of the March Madness betting tournament, handicappers from all of the big four major sports leagues are looking at ways to gain an edge on the sportsbooks. In the NHL, sharp bettors are taking advantage of the concussion epidemic, as they compare how teams have faired both before and after their star players have sustained concussions. For years, the NHL has been criticized as being a regular season league made by individual players, but a playoff championship league driven by team depth. The concussion epidemic, has allowed us to watch how teams have faired when their depth has been exploited in the regular season.

It is important as NHL handicappers, that we do not let emotion cloud our judgment when sports betting on our favorite teams. Essentially, when Sidney Crosby was lost to concussion last season, and for part of this season, it would have been easy to look past who else is on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster and bet against the team. At the same time, it would have been crazy to bet more money on the Penguins once Crosby returned the first time and when he returns again. Yes, Crosby is the best player on the planet, but to look past the depth on the Penguins is illogical.

Along with Crosby, the Penguins have former first overall draft choices Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal. The trio in themselves are considered by many scouts to be franchise players. In other words, the Penguins are not in bad shape with the loss of Crosby, as they could be considered four franchises in one. On the other hand, the Penguins rivals the Washington Capitals have been disappointing, as they lost one of their franchise stars in Nicklas Backstrom to a concussion as well, and the team has struggled since.