Grand Salami: Over/Under 45.5 goals (7 games on the slate)

Seven NHL games are scheduled tonight. You bet Over 45.5 at -110 odds. When all games finish, you add up every goal scored: Game 1 (6 goals) + Game 2 (5 goals) + Game 3 (7 goals) + Game 4 (8 goals) + Game 5 (6 goals) + Game 6 (5 goals) + Game 7 (4 goals) = 41 total goals. Under 45.5 wins.

Saturday night slate: 12 games, Grand Salami 78.5

Heavy schedule nights have higher Grand Salamis. With 12 games averaging 6.5 goals each, expect around 78 total goals. Factors like multiple backup goalies starting, teams on back-to-backs, or high-scoring offenses all push you toward Over. Strong defensive teams and elite goalie matchups favor Under.

1. Count the Starting Goalies

The single biggest Grand Salami factor is goaltending. Count how many elite goalies (top-10) versus backup/weak goalies are starting. A slate with 4-5 backups starting heavily favors Over. A slate with elite goalie matchups in most games favors Under. This one factor can swing the total by 5-8 goals.

2. Identify Back-to-Back Teams

Teams playing the second night of back-to-backs typically score and allow fewer goals due to fatigue. Count teams on B2Bs - if 6+ teams are playing their second straight night, lean Under. Fresh teams on full rest favor higher scoring.

3. Check Individual Game Totals

Add up all the individual game totals and compare to the Grand Salami line. If ten games have totals of 6.5 each (65 total) but Grand Salami is 62.5, there's potential Over value. Books sometimes misprice the Grand Salami relative to individual game totals, creating edges.

4. Consider Divisional Rivalry Games

Divisional games tend to be lower-scoring due to familiarity and increased defensive intensity. A slate with many divisional matchups leans Under. Nights with mostly inter-conference games often see more offense and lean Over.

5. Weather and Arena Factors (Outdoor Games)

For outdoor games or unusual conditions, scoring can be suppressed. Also consider that some arenas are known for higher scoring due to ice conditions or altitude (Colorado). These factors affect the Grand Salami when those venues are heavily featured on a slate.