Cashing Out | April 18, 2026 | Hour 1

In this episode of VSiN Best Bets, host Scott Sandberg dives deep into playoff betting strategies for both the NBA and NHL, emphasizing data-driven insights and market inefficiencies. He highlights key trends such as the 'zigzag' effect—where teams that fail to cover in Games 1 and 2 often bounce back in Game 3—and applies similar patterns to the Stanley Cup playoffs, particularly focusing on puck line anomalies when favorites lose Games 1 and 2. Sandberg also stresses the importance of live betting during commercial breaks, leveraging analytical metrics like Fenwick and Corsi in hockey to uncover hidden value beyond surface-level box scores. He warns against public bias in pregame markets and advocates for fading play-in winners in the NBA, especially those with limited rest and heavy travel. The episode concludes with a strong emphasis on tax implications for gamblers, promoting a free consultation with tax expert Paul Francetic. Sandberg shares his personal series picks, favoring underdogs like the Penguins, Senators, and Golden Knights, while cautioning against overvaluing returning stars like Jayson Tatum and James Harden. Key takeaways include: (1) Bet against play-in winners in Game 1 due to fatigue and travel; (2) Use underlying hockey analytics (Fenwick, Corsi) to identify live betting edges; (3) Exploit puck line inefficiencies when favorites lose Games 1 and 2; (4) Avoid overpaying for star players returning from injury; (5) Be aware that the IRS taxes winnings regardless of overall net loss. The tone is analytical, confident, and strategically optimistic, with a strong focus on actionable, research-backed betting tactics.