Many readers of an NHL trade deadline blog will likely have one eye on the injury report to see who is going down with a concussion, which has been the biggest storyline in the NHL this season. Concussions have made the injury report even more important in the NHL as there seems to be a new name on the list every night, and the league is cracking down with penalties to keep their players safe.

Even 2012 March Madness betting players know how big of a factor Sidney Crosby’s injury has been in as Pittsburgh has slid down the ranks in terms of Stanley Cup betting favorites. The league’s best player has been out for the better part of 13 months, coming back for a few games earlier this season before going back up to the press box. Philadelphia’s Chris Pronger and Claude Giroux have joined Crosby on the sidelines, although Giroux has been back since then.

When dealing with a player who is returning from a concussion, you have to be wary of their chances to help their team as they have to get back up to game speed. Not every player has Crosby’s ability to score four or five points in his first game back; it usually takes players a few games to get back into the swing of things.

Paying attention to the league’s concussion issues can aid you in your betting picks, because as the league gets even tougher with their penalties, styles will change and a team’s odds could be affected at sport betting sites.