NHL Hockey Betting

NHL Betting – Regular Season Resumes With Massive Clash In Boston

2012-01-30T17:33:00.001-08:00

If you’re following NHL scores, you’ll be happy to see the second half of the regular season get underway on Tuesday, and there is a tasty matchup coming out of the Eastern conference as Ottawa heads to Boston.

Senators Bruins Odds – Tuesday, 7:00 PM ET;

The Senators got off to a horrible start, and more than a few BetOnline players probably gave up on them. But now the Senators are in sixth place in the East and are in prime position to move up the standings as they’re only six points behind first-place New York (the Rangers, not the Islanders, obviously). The break couldn’t have come soon enough for Ottawa, who dropped three straight before the All-Star game, but now you have to wonder how the team’s All-Stars, captain Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek will fare coming back to the team. Superbowl betting players could compare this to Tom Brady, Wes Welker and company coming back from the Pro Bowl to play this weekend; they probably didn’t do a whole lot on the ice (or on the field, for football players), but they were still there and it was a busy weekend, especially with it being held in Ottawa. Pay attention to Alfredsson, who was one of the team captains.

The other captain was Zdeno Chara of the Bruins, and he was busy shattering his record in the hardest-shot competition (108 mph? Wow!). The Bruins are second only to the Rangers in the East, but most of the talk going into the break surrounded goalie Tim Thomas and his refusal to go to the White House with his teammates because he doesn’t agree with the way government is running things. There were rumors that the Bruins are shopping their Vezina winner around, and you can bet that would affect lines and picks among those that work with price per head software.

The Bruins should be the favorites at home in this contest, and they’ve won six in a row against the Senators in Boston, so the line could be very staggered towards the home team. It’ll be interesting to see if Thomas is in goal for the Bruins; if he isn’t (and he wasn’t in the Bruins’ final game before the break), that will only add fuel to the fire, which is another distraction that the defending Stanley Cup champions need. This helps the Senators, who are basically playing with house money as no one expected them to challenge with a first-year head coach in Paul MacLean, but he is quickly earning consideration as the Coach of the Year. Go for the upset and take Ottawa in your sports betting picks.

NHL Game Preview for Tuesday January 31, 2012: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Pittsburgh Penguins

2012-01-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

Few teams were more disappointed to see the All-Star break than the Pittsburgh Penguins. After being hit hard by injuries that caused the Penguins to nose dive in the Eastern Conference standings, the Penguins found itself on a seven-game winning streak that the All-Star break effectively stopped in its tracks. While some sports fans in Pittsburgh were hoping to have a hometown interest in this year’s Super Bowl betting, others were wondering how the Penguins would do without superstar Sidney Crosby. Aside from that stretch of games that the Penguins just could not seem to win, Pittsburgh has shown that it can win without Crosby in the regular season. A Crosby-less Pittsburgh team did not fare so well in last year’s playoffs, but at least the team made the post-season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the toast of the Northeastern Division for the first part of the season. Toronto was battling with the Boston Bruins for division supremacy until the Bruins pulled away and the Leafs started to tumble. The price per head sportsbook experts were extremely surprised by the Leafs’ start and are even more surprised to learn that goaltender Jonas Gustavsson had wrestled the starting goalie spot from James Reimer. Nothing ever seems to be consistent in Toronto and the landscape is always changing. But as long as the Leafs keep winning, the fans do not mind needing a program to determine who is on the ice and starting the game.
Pittsburgh Penguins

A 5 dimes review of the Penguins’ season to this point shows a roller coaster ride that has seen extreme highs and lows. The team thought it was back on track when Sidney Crosby was able to come back around Christmas, but that was short-lived as Crosby was out again within 12 games and he has not returned. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was also having issues for a stretch of games that saw him give up goals he does not normally give up. But the team has hung together and worked through the problems. After losing three consecutive games earlier in January, the Pens went on a 7-0-0 run to bring its record up to 7-3-0 in the last 10 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs have a two-game winning streak of its own going, but a record of 6-4-0 in the last 10 games shows that Toronto is having problems with consistency. The Leafs keep jumping back and forth between starting goaltenders which does not give the defense a chance to settle in to any kind of comfortable routine. The Leafs are a talented team that plays hard. But it will need to get back to the things that worked earlier in the season if it wants to make the playoffs.

The Bottom Line

Toronto and Pittsburgh were just starting to turn things back around when the All-Star break stopped them. The Penguins are the most likely to be able to pick up again and keep winning, but the Leafs won’t make it easy.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL Betting – Experienced Leadership Helping Young Blues Out West

2012-01-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

The biggest turnaround in an NHL season that has been highlighted by several surprises has to be the play of the St. Louis Blues, which have transitioned from a team that appeared destined to miss the playoffs once again to a team seemingly destined to be among the top contenders in the Western conference. St. Louis struggled out of the gate with just two wins through its first six games, but has since turned things around, and become even stronger with the addition of head coach Ken Hitchcock behind the bench. The Blue have a ton of talent throughout their lineup but their biggest strength was also their biggest weakness as they were young and inexperienced. Hitchcock coming in helped stabilize that aspect of the team, and since then they have flourished among the most complete teams in the NHL.

It has to be noted that while Hitchcock’s presence has been among the biggest keys to the turnaround, it is not the only reason. St. Louis has allowed a league-low 1.9 average goals against per game, and the goaltending tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott has everything to do with that as well. Hitchcock’s system has his defenders collapse down low and clear out the rebounds in front of his goalies, but it is on them to make the first save. While both the forwards and defenseman have been responsible in their own end, Halak and Elliott have a combined save percentage of .928, and nine shutouts between them. Blues’ fans have been waiting on Halak to deliver for quite some time, and perhaps all it took was a little healthy competition with the addition of Elliott in the offseason. Both netminders have exceeded expectations, and having two capable goalies has been among the keys to St. Louis’ success, something the pay head bookies have taken notice of.

General manager Doug Armstrong has told the media that he will not break up that tandem before the trade deadline in order to acquire players at other positions, and it is a good thing that he isn’t. St. Louis has some solid depth on the blue line and some capable forwards up front, and the more experience they get the better they will be able to handle pressure situations. David Backes leads all scorers with 37 points on the year, however the Blues could be in the market to add another scorer before the deadline if the price is right, since after Backes there is only one other player on the roster with more than 30 points. There is no shortage of options available with several teams looking to make a move to sell, and it might not be long until St. Louis makes a move to increase their odds of emerging from the conference on Betonline.

The Blues have a solid blend of youth and experience now thanks to Hitchcock, and as long as they continue to buy in to his system and execute they should be fine. St. Louis has been one of the biggest surprises this season as they currently sit fourth in the Western conference, and look for them to continue to execute down the stretch as legitimate sports betting contenders.

NHL Game Preview for Friday January 20, 2012: Florida Panthers @ Chicago Blackhawks

2012-01-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

Betting Websites Overview

The NHL fans in Florida have not exactly been going to the arena in droves. But the fans that did come out to see the Florida Panthers play in the early part of the NHL season saw a team that was dominating the Southeast Division. But as the fans in Florida attend to their Superbowl betting, the Panthers are starting to see injuries and inconsistent play dissolve part of the good work that the team has done. The surging Washington Capitals have taken over the lead in the Southeast Division as the Panthers continue to struggle. But the Panthers are still staying close in their games as their last two losses came in overtime. No one wants to lose consecutive overtime games, but at least Florida is collecting points and staying in the playoff race.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to be one of the top teams in the NHL and have enjoyed some very consistent play from its top players. The only Chicago superstar that seems to hit a rough spot as of late is Patrick Kane. Kane has been struggling with his play in recent games and was even having problems with a weak Buffalo Sabres’ defense in a recent home game. But the price per head bookie experts know better than to count Patrick Kane out of any season and fans can only imagine how much more potent the Blackhawks will be when Kane is back to his scoring form. For the time being, scoring leaders such as captain Jonathan Toews are helping the Blackhawks to stay on top in the Western Conference and the league standing.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers are 3-4-3 in the last 10 games and have hit a bit of a bump in its goaltending. Jose Theodore is back in the nets after coming back from an injury, but he looks a little rusty still. But the Panthers need Theodore to play well if it wants to regain its top spot in the Southeast Division. One of the big problems that the Panthers is having is the lack of scoring that has been an issue all season long is finally catching up with the team. A 5 dimes review of the Panthers’ goal differential shows Florida at a -12. While this is nothing to be alarmed about, it is the pattern that the Panthers have shown all season. Earlier in the year, Florida was able to win those close games and grab two points. Lately, the Panthers have not been able to win the close games and that is one of the main reasons why the team is having problems getting points in the standings.

Chicago Blackhawks

The NHL fans in Chicago are having visions of another Stanley Cup in their heads. But Chicago is flirting with disaster as well with the way the Blackhawks’ defensemen constantly jump up into the play. The Blackhawks have a +21 goal differential, but it has also given up more goals than any other division leader. The Blackhawks will need to tighten up on defense if it wants to make another run at the Stanley Cup.

The Bottom Line

The free-wheeling Blackhawks may wind up being too much for the conservative Panthers. While Florida’s defense may be able to contain the Blackhawks for a little while, eventually the Hawks will break out and put this game away.

Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Betting – Kings, Canucks Look To Get Back On Track

2012-01-16T23:38:00.001-08:00

The Vancouver Canucks have surged to second place in the Western Conference after a slow start, and the defending conference champions will host Los Angeles on Tuesday night in a matchup of two teams that are coming off a loss on Sunday night.

Kings Canucks Odds – Tuesday, 10:00 PM

Los Angeles (22-15-9) has had some issues putting the puck in the net, which raised its ugly head once again in a 2-1 overtime loss in Edmonton. Some sportsbook reviews would point out that the Kings were outshot 33-21 and they got another solid performance from goaltender Jonathan Quick, who stopped 31 shots, while Justin Williams notched his eighth goal of the season for the Kings. Some players that are familiar with price per head bookie software had the Kings as a darkhorse for the Stanley Cup, but no one foresaw their goal-scoring problems, especially it being this poor. Quick has been playing at an All-Star caliber and if he keeps this up, he’ll definitely earn consideration for the Vezina, but at the end of the day, the Kings have to find a way to give their goalie some protection in regards to scoring or they won’t even make the postseason.

Vancouver (28-15-3) were outshot 34-23 in a 4-2 loss at home to Anaheim, and it may have been worse if not for a 30-save effort from goaltender Roberto Luongo. The Canucks were outshot 10-3 in the first period, but managed to go into the locker room tied at one apiece and the score could have easily been worse if not for Luongo, who the Canucks need to be at his best to stay in the good graces of players that use price per head services. Cody Hodgson and Mason Raymond got on the scoresheet for Vancouver, who were playing at home for the first time after a four-game road trip on which they went 3-1.

The Canucks should be the favorites at home against the Kings, who are 2-3 SU in their last five trips to Vancouver, and three of those games went under the posted total. Los Angeles has to figure out a way to generate goals, or at the very least, shots on goal because Quick can’t carry them in the ultra-tough Western Conference. Early in the season, it was chocked up to new players getting used to their teammates, but now, it’s starting to get scary as the Kings are 30^th in goals scored and if you look at the talent on the team, they should be scoring more. However, the Canucks rarely lose two in a row at home and they’ll come out with some fire on Tuesday night, so take Vancouver when you bet on sports.

NHL Betting – Contenders Look To Separate From Pretenders In Second Half

2012-01-09T17:15:00.001-08:00

As the NHL world draws closer to the annual All Star game in the coming days, the playoff picture in the Eastern conference is already much clearer than it was just a couple of months ago. While the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers appear to be the three locks to make the postseason out east, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, and New York Islanders will not have a chance at this year’s dance. As far as the nine teams in between go, there is still a lot of hockey to be played as we try and separate the true contenders from pretenders.

Many sports betting enthusiasts figured that the Montreal Canadiens would take another step forward this season after adding veteran winger Eric Cole and developing much of its young core. But the Canadiens haven’t responded as expected, and after the firing of head coach Jacques Martin and subsequent anointment of Randy Cunneyworth as interim coach, the pot has really been stirred in Montreal. Seven points back of eighth place in the Eastern conference exactly at the halfway mark of the season, the Canadiens have the time and talent to turn things around, but they will have to play with a greater sense of urgency and get on a roll over these next couple of weeks.

The Buffalo Sabres are in the same boat as the Canadiens having spent a ton of money in the offseason, but the play of netminder Ryan Miller has been a concern ever since he returned from concussion, and the offense hasn’t scored at the pace it was expected to. The Washington Capitals have been Southeast division favorites on Betonline ever since Alex Ovechkin’s second year, but are also on the outside looking in at this point. New head coach Dale Hunter appears to be turning things around, but results are needed soon before they fall too far back. The Winnipeg Jets have played excellent hockey in their new home but have been awful on the road, and will need to play better there to have a chance.

While the Canadiens, Capitals, and Jets all appear to have a chance at turning things around over the second half and making a push, qualifying for a playoff spot would mean one of the teams from fourth through eighth slipping, and there are several candidates. The Florida Panthers have several stars that are playing over their heads, and could be coming down to earth with a .500 record over their past 10 games. The Ottawa Senators are a young team with goaltending issues, and the same can be said about the Toronto Maple Leafs. The New Jersey Devils appear poised to make a run in the Eastern conference as long as Martin Brodeur can stay healthy, while the Pittsburgh Penguins should be able to clinch a spot in the elite eight as long as they can get some healthy bodies back soon.

There is still a ton of hockey left to be played and a lot to be determined, but based on what we have seen so far, it should be an exciting year. The pay head bookies did not have the Panthers listed as favorites over the Capitals in the Southeast division, and it is hard to imagine the Penguins holding on with all of their injuries, so the door is open for change as the contenders look to separate from the pretenders over the second half.

NHL Betting – Maple Leafs Look To Kick Off 2012 With A Win

2012-01-03T01:41:00.001-08:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fallen out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, and while it’s still too early to jump off the bandwagon, they’ve dropped three in a row and need to get back on track on Tuesday when they host a streaking Tampa Bay team.

Lightning Maple Leafs Odds – Tuesday, 7:00 PM ET

The Lightning have won three straight after a 5-2 win at home over Carolina on New Year’s Eve, and a Wagerweb review of their season would show that the team has been playing much better with Mathieu Garon in goal. This game was his 11^th consecutive start and he stopped 24 shots to earn the victory, while Steven Stamkos notched a hat trick for the Lightning, who outshot the Hurricanes 32-26 and pulled away with three goals in the first 6:51 of the third period. The Lightning were one of the biggest surprises in last year’s postseason, but a slow start took them down a peg in the eyes of some players that use price per head services. They’re improving, but the Lightning are a poor 6-12-3 on the road this season.

The Maple Leafs were edged 3-2 in Winnipeg, also on New Year’s Eve and a familiar problem reared its head as Toronto gave the Jets six power plays, which Winnipeg scored on twice. Phil Kessel and Clarke MacArthur lit the lamp for the Maple Leafs, but they continue to take poor penalties, which is a massive problem when you’re 30^th in the league in penalty killing. The Maple Leafs got off to a great start, but eventually their old problems crept into the game and at this point, it has to be coaching because Toronto has had one of the worst penalty-killing percentages since the lockout and that is something experienced players that purchase price per head software will consider when making picks.

Toronto should be the favorites at home, where they are 1-4 SU in their last five against the Lightning, with three games going over the posted total. The Maple Leafs are 8-5-4 at Air Canada Center this season, and this will begin a four-game homestand that Toronto desperately needs to be successful on after dropping three of four on the road to close out 2011, and they’ve lost eight of their last 11 overall. These are the type of runs that tend to take the Maple Leafs out of the playoff hunt every season, and they’re a bit fortunate to get a team that has struggled badly away from home so far, even though they are dangerous. This will also be a matchup of two of the best snipers in the league as Stamkos leads the NHL in goals, while Kessel isn’t far behind. Take Toronto to the bank in your online sports book.

NHL Betting – More Change Could Be On The Way For Canadiens

2011-12-26T17:18:00.001-08:00

How do you say, “Hello, I am Randy Cunneyworth and I am doing everything that I can to try and help this team win?” It may not matter much longer the way that the Montreal Canadiens are playing lately, as Cunneyworth will be the easy target for dismissal if they continue on their recent slide. The Canadiens entered the Christmas break with a 13-16-7 record after managing to string together five straight losses to send their NHL fans home unhappy for the holidays, and as they continue their six-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, they better come out with some more juice and find a way to break out of their awful slump.

The reason’s for Cunneyworth’s ultimate dismissal are obvious, and while many will focus on the language barrier, that isn’t his biggest problem. It has to be said that Cunneyworth does not speak a word of French, which is considered a crucial asset in a city dominated by the language, and a prerequisite that has been met by several coaches before him, and should lead to several after him. More importantly than his inability to speak French however is his lack of presence, as during Montreal’s current slide he has shown little tenacity or depth, remaining calm on the bench and at most times quiet while his team gives up another crucial two points in the standings. At least with former head coach Jacques Martin the Canadiens understood the system they were playing, and knew their roles. While Cunneyworth has said the system is largely the same, Montreal has failed to execute on the ice, and that should lead to more change, including its status as potential favorites on betonline.

It must also be said that this roster largely resembles the one that went to the Eastern conference finals just two years ago, and then pushed the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins to seven games in the opening round of last year’s playoffs. The absence of captain Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, and Andrei Markov have to be regarded for what they are, as Gionta and Gomez were regular members of the Canadiens’ top-six forward lines, while Markov was one of the top offensive defenseman in the game before his injury. When those three will return to the lineup is not yet known, but the sooner the better for a Canadiens’ team that is in its worst slump since Gionta joined the team a couple of years ago and helped make them a contender according to the pay head bookies.

For what it is worth, goaltender Carey Price has been brilliant for Montreal, one of the few reasons why they were even in some games over the past couple of weeks. But Price can’t do it on his own, and as a restricted free agent this summer, he will have to consider all offers on the table for him if the Canadiens do not regain some structure. Montreal will have every opportunity to bounce back this week against the Senators, Lightning, and Panthers, and if they aren’t able to get the sports betting job done, expect more change to come in Montreal.

NHL Betting – Red-Hot ‘Hawks Head Into Pittsburgh

2011-12-19T17:31:00.005-08:00

Chicago is rocketing up the NHL standing with a current five-game winning streak, and they’ll look to extend it to six games on Tuesday when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins, who will be without their captain once again.

Blackhawks Penguins Odds – Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET

The Blackhawks (21-8-4) defeated Calgary 4-2 at home on Sunday, and some sportsbook reviews would point to Chicago’s ability to win close games during this streak as they have won all five by two goals or less, and three of the games have gone to overtime or the shootout. Steve Montador, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa lit the lamp for Chicago, while Ray Emery stopped 22 shots in his seventh straight start. The Blackhawks are a favorite among those who use price per head services, even though they’re on the cusp of a goaltending controversy as Emery is taking the No.1 spot from Corey Crawford; in fact, it may already be gone and that will be a major decision for head coach Joel Quenneville, who picked up his 600^th career victory in the win against the Flames.

The Penguins (18-11-4) had been struggling with four losses in five games, but they awakened enough for an 8-3 romp over Buffalo at home on Saturday. Pittsburgh was powered by a hat trick from Evgeni Malkin, while Jason Williams, Simon Despres, James Neal, Deryk Engelland and Chris Kunitz notched singles for the Penguins, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 16 stops on the night. On the same day that the Penguins put captain Sidney Crosby on the injured list with more concussion issue, it was fitting that Malkin stepped up and led the Pittsburgh offense because they’re going to need him to do that regularly until Crosby comes back. Remember, Malkin was hurt most of last year with a knee injury and if the Penguins are going to stay in the good graces of those that use price per head sports software, Malkin has to inspire his teammates.

Pittsburgh should be the favorites at home in this contest, although the Blackhawks are 10-6-1 on the road this season, while the Penguins are 9-3-2 at CONSOL Energy Center. Both of these teams figure to be in the hunt when it comes to Stanley Cup betting favorites and even without Crosby, there is a lot of offensive skill on the ice. The Penguins will have their hands full with a deep Chicago lineup, but Malkin is the player on either side that can take over a game by himself (with all due respect to Chicago captain Jonathan Toews and Kane). We’re riding with the hot team and taking Chicago away from home at our favorite sports betting sites.

NHL Betting – Panthers’ Slide Will Open Door For Eastern Conference Contender

2011-12-12T17:15:00.001-08:00

A quick glance at the Eastern conference standings wouldn’t reveal much in terms of surprise, unless that is you notice the Florida Panthers in third place overall, and in the top spot in the Southeast division despite being labeled as sports betting underdogs. In a group that at least for now includes the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s rather strange to see the Panthers sitting in first place as we make our way through the month of December. But on the heels of consecutive losses, now is the time when Florida’s slide could begin, and that will open the door for a true Eastern conference contender to move up in to a playoff spot.

It isn’t that the Panthers haven’t played good hockey, or that Panthers’ general manager Dale Tallon didn’t do an excellent job of bringing quality players in to the fold down south with limited resources this past summer according to the numbers on the Betonline site. After all, Kris Versteeg seems to finally be ready to reach his potential with 13 goals and 31 points, while Brian Campbell already has 22 assists as the two biggest free agent pickups from the summer of 2011. Stephen Weiss is playing excellent two-way hockey with an incredible plus-17 rating, and the team has some solid depth at both ends of the ice. But the biggest problem for the Panthers at this point is in goal, where the team was forced to pull Jose Theodore, and allow Scott Clemmensen to play the final 20 minutes of a 6-1 loss to the New York Rangers. For now, Florida wants rookie netminder Jacob Markstrom to concentrate on improving for another year before they make him their starter, which leaves the job up to Theodore and Clemmensen. While neither has been an awful option so far this year, it is hard to argue that either one can be the No. 1 for a legitimate playoff contender. Despite getting good goaltending so far and playing sound fundamentally, the Panthers still have the worst goal differential among the top five teams according to the numbers the pay head bookies look at, and many feel as though it is likely to get worse as teams begin to figure them out.

The Capitals have too much talent to remain on the outside looking in, and if the Lightning can get some quality play from their goaltending, they should be back in the mix. While this could take time, Washington will be in first place in the Southeast division by February, and that will leave the Panthers fighting for a spot in the top-eight. The Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and New Jersey Devils are all teams currently on the outside looking in, and considering that Montreal is finally getting healthier and the way that the Devils closed out last season, it will only be a matter of time before one of them emerges as the legitimate Eastern conference contender that overtakes the Panthers in the standings.

NHL Odds – California Rivals Clash In Anaheim

2011-12-05T17:36:00.001-08:00

After Toronto Maple Leafs fans watch their team host New Jersey earlier in the night, they should turn to the state of California for their late game as there is an interesting matchup brewing in Anaheim. The Ducks are now 0-for-2 under new head coach Bruce Boudreau, and they’ll be hoping that the third time is a charm when they host the Los Angeles Kings at the Honda Center.

Kings Ducks Odds – Tuesday, 10:00 PM ET

The Kings (13-9-4) came up just short in a 2-1 loss at home to Montreal on Saturday, as Dustin Penner netted a power-play marker in the second period, but Los Angeles couldn’t find the game-tying goal in a scoreless third period. Companies that use bookie software should have Jonathan Quick near the top of the Vezina favorites right now, but he was given a rest and Jonathan Bernier still played well, stopping 25 shots for the Kings, but their offensive troubles continues in the early part of the season. Only Anaheim and the New York Islanders have scored fewer goals than the Kings, and offense was supposed to be the least of their worries, so Los Angeles fans can only hope that the team gels soon up front.

The Ducks (7-14-5) have now dropped nine of their last 10 overall (two in overtime) after a 5-3 loss at home to Minnesota, losing an early two-goal lead along the way. Ryan Getzlaf, Saku Koivu and Cam Fowler all found the back of the net for the Ducks, but price per head sports companies that help set lines aren’t going to get behind Anaheim until they get their defensive act together: to go along with their woeful goal scoring, the Ducks are fourth-worst in the league in goals allowed and that simply isn’t going to cut it in the NHL. Jonas Hiller made 31 saves for the Ducks, who were outshot 36-27.

The NHL betting odds for this game could go either way, given the way that Anaheim is floundering right now. The Ducks are 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five at home against the Kings with three games going under the posted total, and a sportsbook review of their history shows that Anaheim has already lost twice to Los Angeles this season, a 2-1 shootout loss at the Staples Center on November 16^th and then a 5-3 loss at home the next night. Simply put, Anaheim is in danger of losing their entire season and a loss at home to a division and state rival would be a huge blow. The Kings are playing well as of late and they’ll jump on any reason to pile more pressure on the Ducks, so go with Los Angeles in your online sports book.

NHL Betting – Parity Rules In NHL Standings Through Quarter Mark

2011-11-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

With the majority of teams already passed the quarter mark of the NHL regular season, the biggest story so far has been the incredible parity throughout the league. While only five points separates second place in the Eastern conference from ninth, that number is even tighter in the Western conference, where the only a single point separates third through tenth. While there is still a long way to go, the tiny difference in the standings has made it hard to separate the contenders from the pretenders early on, but here is a quick look at what we know.

In the Eastern conference, only two of the top-eight teams currently in the top-eight failed to make the postseason a year ago, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers off to hot starts to replace the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens from last year’s standings. Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul have led the high-flying Maple Leafs to the top of the standings even without netminder James Reimer healthy, while the Panthers have surprised everyone with some capable goaltending from Jose Theodore and a ton of offensive additions coming together including Kris Versteeg and the league’s top-scoring stable of defenseman. But while both teams are off to hot starts, it must be noted that the former Atlanta Thrashers led the Southeast division around this time a year ago and failed to make the playoffs, while Toronto hasn’t tasted the postseason since the NHL lockout year. If the Canadiens can get healthy and Tampa Bay can improve in their own sports betting end, they could make things difficult for the Maple Leafs and Florida, while the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, and defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins all appear to be locks to make the playoffs.

In the Western conference, there has been a ton of pay head turnaround with the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, and Anaheim Ducks among the teams on the outside looking in while the defending conference champion Vancouver Canucks are stuck in seventh. While the East was easy to break down in terms of change from a year ago and the factors that made that big difference, it isn’t nearly as easy in the west where so many teams have proven they can compete. The St. Louis Blue have turned things around under new head coach Ken Hitchcock and have won three in a row, while the Minnesota Wild are just two points back of the Chicago Blackhawks for first place. The Blackhawks, Canucks, and Detroit Red Wings all appear to be locks to get in to the postseason as legitimate contenders, but beyond that big three anything can happen.

With the standings so close in both conferences there is little doubt that a lot will change in the betonline standings between now and the end of the regular season, the only question being which teams are legitimate and which need some more seasoning. The next month will be crucial in determining the contenders from the pretenders ahead of the NHL trade deadline, and while it may be tempting to jump on some hot teams in the early going, it may be a better idea to stick with the teams that should be locks to make the postseason.

SBC Week Preview – Weekly Betting Preview:

2011-11-28T13:43:00.000-08:00

NHL Betting News: Hunter, Muller To Make Coaching Debuts Tuesday

In a span of less than two hours on Monday, the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes both decided to make head coaching changes, in a pair of moves that ownership hopes will spark the team. Dale Hunter replaces Bruce Boudreau behind the bench for the Capitals following consecutive losses, and will make his debut on Tuesday night when Washington hosts the St. Louis Blues. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will turn to former Montreal Canadiens’ assistant coach Kirk Muller, who will make his debut for Carolina when they host the Florida Panthers as they open a homestand.

NCAAB 5 Dimes Review News: Buckeyes Host Blue Devils Tuesday

While it may seem like forever before we get the chance to see the No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats battle the No. 5 North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, there are several key matchups to hold us over until then, including most importantly when the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes host the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday. While the Buckeyes are expected to contend for a national title with Jared Sullinger leading the way, the Blue Devils are expected to take a step back after winning an ACC title a year ago, and it will make for an interesting showdown Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the No. 4 Syracuse Orange will host the No. 10 Florida Gators Friday in another highly anticipated matchup.

NCAAF Pay Head News: Ducks Look To Clinch Spot In Rose Bowl Friday

The reigning national title finalist and current No. 9 Oregon Ducks will look to solidify their spot in this year’s Rose Bowl when they host the UCLA Bruins on Friday night. Oregon bounced back from a tough loss to the USC Trojans by dominating the Oregon State Beavers, and will have an excellent opportunity to finish strong against a UCLA team that has struggled to maintain a .500 record overall. Meanwhile, Ohio will battle at Northern Illinois in the only other game scheduled for Friday, one night after the No. 23 West Virginia Mountaineers attempt to end their season with a third straight win as they travel to face South Florida.

NFL Sports Betting News: Eagles Fly To Seattle For Thursday Night Showdown

In a midweek matchup that proves how hard it is to predict the outcome of an NFL season before it starts, the 4-7 Seattle Seahawks will host the 4-7 Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night in one of the most irrelevant contests of week 13. With both teams coming off of division titles, the NFL had to expect that they would once again be in contention for the postseason, which would have made this game another marquee matchup. Instead, both teams will need to win out and get a ton of help just to have a marginal chance, and at this point, it doesn’t appear as though either will happen. In related news, the NFL was able to change their Sunday Night Football game, which will now feature the Detroit Lions at the New Orleans Saints rather than the New England Patriots at the Indianapolis Colts.

NHL Odds – Maple Leafs, Lightning Tangle In Eastern Conference Encounter

2011-11-21T17:42:00.001-08:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs were always due for a letdown after a huge emotional win over Washington on Saturday night, and now they’ll try to bounce back from a loss when they continue on a southern road trip in Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

Maple Leafs Lightning Odds – Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET

Toronto (11-8-2) got off to a slow start in a 3-2 loss in Carolina on Sunday, but a Bodog reviewper head bookie will tell you that teams need to protect their home ice to be a contender in the NHL regular season: Tampa Bay is 6-2-0 at St. Pete Times Forum so far in 2011-12 and when they get their road form up to par, they’ll challenge for the Eastern Conference title.

Your bookie software should favor the Lightning at home, where they are 4-1 in their last five against Toronto, with three games coming in over the posted total. The Leafs are 5-5 on the road this year and with their issues in goal due to the injury issues of Reimer, the defense has been poor as of late, and the injury to Komiserek doesn’t help matters. The Lightning are strong at home and they won’t want to lose two in a row in front of their fans, so that could mean a long night for whoever starts in goal for Toronto. It will likely be Jonas Gustavsson, who played very well against Washington on Saturday night and he needed it as he was taking a bit of heat in the Toronto media. It could start up again as the Lightning should be your sports betting online pick at home on Tuesday.

NHL Betting – Canadiens Ready To Welcome Back Several Key Pieces

2011-11-14T17:44:00.001-08:00

When the Montreal Canadiens welcomed back Mike Cammaleri and Scott Gomez to their lineup prior to their 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators, it may have served as a sign of things to come for a club that is slowly beginning to piece things together after a slow start. The Canadiens have won six of their past eight games on the heels of a six-game slide, and have climbed back into the Eastern conference playoff picture after being buried early on. The key to Montreal’s success could be the return of several notable NHL players, as the team looks to finally play at full strength.

The biggest addition will be the return of Andrei Markov, who continues to make progress in the rehab of a knee injury that has kept him out for most of the past two seasons. Unlike last time when Montreal welcomed him back too soon, the team is now confident that he can make a long term return now that the knee is back to full strength. It could take a couple of games for the former All Star to get back to a high level after missing so much time, but when he gets there he will give the Canadiens that top defenseman they have been lacking. Markov will undoubtedly skate in the top-four at even strength, while also getting top powerplay minutes and time shorthanded as well. A strong point producer, Markov is the type of defenseman that can accelerate the team’s play at both ends of the ice, and his return will be vital for a team that will have to continue to battle to make up for a slow sports betting start.

While Andrei Kostitsyn should also make his return soon after missing a couple of games, the Canadiens will get another big boost on defense, where Chris Campoli will draw back into the lineup soon. Signed to round out the top-six, Campoli is another player that could see some time in special teams situations, and although he won’t have as big of an impact as Markov, the depth will surely make an intertops difference in Montreal.

As we approach the quarter mark of the season in the NHL, the Canadiens are right there in the thick of things in the East at 7-7-2. Young forwards Max Pacioretty and Lars Eller appear to finally be blossoming in to their roles, with Pacioretty surprising everyone by leading the Canadiens in scoring with seven goals. Tomas Plekanec has a team-high 14 points and continues to be one of the most underrated players in the NHL with the ability to perform in all situations, while more should be expected from the other veterans including Cammalleri, Gomez, Brian Gionta, and Eric Cole. Part of the problem has been a lack of consistency out of the gate, something that should be fixed with more urgency. There is still time for the team to turn things around in Montreal, and with the return of a couple of key pieces, they should be ready to make a pay head run in the Eastern conference standings.

NHL Betting – Surprising Stars Head To Washington On Tuesday

2011-11-07T17:45:00.001-08:00

Toronto Maple Leafs fans have to be impressed by the start of their team, but fans of the Dallas Stars have to be over the moon as their team is second in the NHL in total points as of Monday. On Tuesday, the Stars will be in the nation’s capital to take on Washington, where the Capitals are perfect this season.

Stars Capitals Odds – Tuesday, 7:00 PM ET

The Stars (10-3-0) have now won three in a row after a 5-2 win in Carolina on Sunday, led by two goals from Jamie Benn, while Michael Ryder, Stephane Robidas and Eric Nystrom added singles for the Stars, who are still a darkhorse bet to win the Stanley Cup according to Wagerweb reviews, but they’re gaining steam with defensive play and a young nucleus. Kari Lehtonen had another solid game with 30 saves and he is giving the Stars a lot of confidence at the back of their defense, which allows Dallas to push forward, but they’re never going to be too adventurous, although they did explode in a 7-6 overtime win over Colorado last Friday; that game is definitely the exception to the rule.

The Capitals (9-3-0) got tired in the second half of a back-to-back on Saturday, falling 5-3 on the road against the New York Islanders and pay per head players will always be wary of a team playing on two straight nights. Washington had a 2-0 lead after the first period thanks to goals by Alex Ovchekin and Joel Ward, but the Islanders took control in the final 20 minutes. Brooks Laich added a power-play marker while Tomas Vokoun stopped 30 shots for the Capitals, who have certainly cooled off after winning seven in a row to start the season, but regular-season success is meaningless to Washington; it’s what they do in the playoffs that counts.

Washington should be the home favorites in your pay per head sportsbook, but they’re only 1-3-1 in their last five meetings at home with the Stars since 1999 with four games going over the posted total. The Capitals are 6-0-0 at home so far, while Dallas is 4-2-0 on the road, which is a solid record, but the edge goes to Washington, who will want to bounce back from their loss on Saturday and they’ve generally been a good home team anyway. The Stars’ story has been nice to read early in the season, but it’s going to be tough for them to keep up this pace all season, especially on the road. It’ll be a matchup of Washington’s offense against Dallas’ defense, but at home, take the Capitals to come out on top in your favorite online sportsbooks.

NHL Betting – Scoring Will Come With Time For Struggling Bruins

2011-10-31T18:43:00.001-07:00

It is easy to blame the Boston Bruins’ slow sports betting start on the proverbial “Stanley Cup hangover”, but the more reasonable explanation is right there in the statistics. With just 22 goals through 10 games, the Bruins have managed to clinch just three wins, and are just one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the worst record in the NHL. A closer look at their results reveals plenty of reason for optimism that the team has the potential to turn things around, as four of their seven losses have come by just a single goal.

While the Bruins will always be a defensive-minded team as long as reigning Vezina and Conn Smythe trophy winner Tim Thomas is between the pipes and captain Zdeno Chara is roaming along the blue line, the team will need to find some offense in order to have the chance to defend their NHL title. While they never logged top-line minutes, veteran Mark Recchi and Michael Ryder were consistent offensive threats that provided depth scoring and help on the powerplay. With Recchi retiring this past summer and Ryder moving on to the Dallas Stars, Boston’s lack of offense has been punctuated by a slow start, although not from a lack of trying. The Bruins rank fifth in the NHL in shots on goal with an average of 33.4 per game, but 25^th in goals per game with an average of just 2.10.

The effort up front will begin with sophomore center Tyler Seguin and veteran Patrice Bergeron, who lead the club in shots through 10 games with 34 each. Seguin has been moved around by head coach Claude Julien in an effort to get one of his top offensive threats to produce, while Bergeron will feel more comfortable in a second line role after filling in up front for David Krejci while the latter was injured. But while Seguin has 10 points in as many games, more will be expected of veterans such as Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton, who have combined for just five goals through a combined 20 games despite playing top minutes and having plenty of pay head opportunities. Youngster Bard Marchand and Rich Peverley will be leaned on to provide some depth scoring as they look to break out of their funk, but as in most cases patience might be the best remedy.

One advantage that the Bruins will have over the next two weeks will be the ability to play on home ice, as they play six of their next seven at the TD Garden, beginning against the surprising Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Thomas will be asked to hold down the fort in the interim while the offense gets things together up front, but don’t expect Boston to be at the bottom of the Eastern conference for much longer as the offense breaks out over the next couple of intertops weeks.

NHL Hockey – Blackhawks Welcome Ducks To The Windy City

2011-10-24T18:40:00.001-07:00

NHL fans have a busy slate on Tuesday, and one of the most intriguing matchups comes from Chicago, where the Blackhawks host Anaheim at the United Center. The Ducks have dropped two in a row as they head out on a seven-game road trip, and a win would be a great start, but the Blackhawks have yet to lose in regulation at home.

Ducks Blackhawks Odds – Tuesday, 8:30 PM ET

The Ducks (4-3-0) fell 5-4 at home to Phoenix on Sunday, and even though they scored four goals, they went 0-for-4 on the power play and most BetOnline reviews will tell you that won’t get you very far in the NHL. Ryan Getzlaf potted a pair, while Lubomir Visnovsky and Kurtis Foster notched singles for the Ducks, while Jonas Hiller got chased after five goals on 19 shots. It was a poor outing for the 29-year-old who missed a substantial amount of time last year due to injury, but you have to remember that and realize that he’ll shake the rust off. The Ducks have more than enough firepower (although the power play needs to improve), they just need to slow the opposition down.

The Blackhawks (4-1-2) fell 5-4 in the shootout to Colorado at home in a game that probably shouldn’t have made it that far, but your price per head bookie would tell you that the Avalanche got a spectacular goaltending performance as the Blackhawks outshot them 38-24, including 13-6 in the third period. Jonathan Toews, Michael Frolick, Jamal Mayers and Marian Hossa got on the scoresheet, while Corey Crawford made 20 saves for the Blackhawks, who are tied with Detroit atop the Central as of Monday.

Price per head sports odds should favor the Blackhawks, who are 3-2 in their last five at home against the Ducks, with four games going under the posted total. There is a lot of firepower on both squads so you would assume that it would be a high-scoring game, but Hiller and Crawford are both good goalies who would like to erase their last outing, so this could be a duel. The Ducks have been inconsistent on the road over the last three or four seasons, as in one season they’re good, and the next they’re awful. Last season, they were good, so if you’re a fan of patterns, they should regress away from home this season and it’s always risky to take a West Coast team as they move east. The Blackhawks have looked strong to start the season after a disappointing 2010-11 campaign following their Stanley Cup win, and they should be able to hold off Anaheim for a win when you’re sports betting online.

NHL Hockey – New Look Flyers Considered Among The Top Stanley Cup Contenders

2011-10-17T18:52:00.001-07:00

When Philadelphia Flyers’ general manager Paul Holmgren decided to take the team in a different direction in the offseason, there were more than a few fans in the city of Brotherly Love that voiced their displeasure, and for seemingly good sports betting reason. Holmgren had shipped two of the Flyers’ best players and biggest names out from a team that was just one year removed from a Stanley Cup finals’ appearance, sending captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings and Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, The Flyers received Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek, young center Brayden Schenn, and a couple of high draft picks. Holmgren used those picks to select center Sean Couturier in the first round with a second round pick in 2012 still in hand. Perhaps most importantly, Holmgren used the cap space that he had freed up after moving Carter and Richards in order to bring in free agent additions Ilya Bryzgalov and Jaromir Jagr, two key pieces that may have elevated Philadelphia back to the status of the top contender in the Eastern conference.

After mixed sportsbook reviews throughout the offseason, Flyers’ fans have undoubtedly taken to the product on the ice, and for obvious reasons. Philadelphia has looked dominant throughout the first couple of weeks of the season, with three straight wins to open the year including victories over each of the two teams that played in last year’s Stanley Cup finals. The changes to the roster have made for a seamless transition with a renewed depth and determination throughout the lineup, and the possibility of negative cliques in the locker room that had been talked about so often now gone. With a franchise goaltender between the pipes in Bryzgalov, the Flyers have given up an average of less than two goals per game through four contests, while a stacked offense has scored an average of three. Led by new captain Chris Pronger on the blue line, Philadelphia’s defense core is the perfect blend of size, experience, and offensive potential with six players that are all capable of playing solid hockey at both ends of the ice. Perhaps the most notable difference is the size up front, as five of the top-six forwards are all above six-feet with a list that includes Jagr, Simmonds, Voracek, All Star Claude Giroux, and James Van Riemsdyk. The addition of some sandpaper to the fourth line with Max Talbot from the Pittsburgh Penguins is another key, as Holmgren has put together the pay head pieces of what he feels is a championship puzzle.

There is no denying how strong this Flyers’ team is, and it will be interesting to see how they come together throughout the remainder of the season. Philadelphia fans watched two years ago as their team fought hard before falling to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup final, so the transition will be one that is hard to accept at first, but there is reason to believe that if they continue to play the way that they have started, fans will continue to rally behind this NHL year’s Flyers.

NHL Hockey – Panthers Stay In The North To Take On Penguins

2011-10-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

This is no Bet Online scam: Pittsburgh is still near the top of the NHL betting ladder, even without Sidney Crosby, and they won two of three on their Western Canada trip to start the season. On Tuesday, they’ll open their campaign at home against Florida, who is also on the road to kick off their schedule.

Panthers Penguins Odds – Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET

Florida gave head coach Kevin Dineen a win in his debut as they blanked the Islanders 2-0 in New York, getting goals from Stephen Weiss and Jason Garrison in the first period. Jose Theodore stopped all 27 shots he faced for the Panthers, who won’t be given much credit by sportsbook reviews, but that can make for a dangerous team as no one expects anything out of Florida, especially with a new head coach. Brian Campbell had a pair of assists in his first game with the Panthers, and he can provide an offensive spark from the blue line; don’t be surprised if Florida’s power play improves immensely over the course of the year, although they won’t be Stanley Cup contenders or anything.

Pittsburgh almost came out of Western Canada with a perfect record after wins in Vancouver and Calgary, but they were beaten 2-1 in the shootout. Kris Letang scored on the power play in the first period for the Penguins, who were shut down for the rest of the game and they were without Evgeni Malkin, who left the pregame skate with a lower body injury. The Penguins went through the second half of last season without either Crosby or Malkin, but pay per head players watched them go to the playoffs, where they lost to Tampa Bay in seven games. With Marc-Andre Fleury at the back (he had the night off as Brent Johnson stopped 34 shots), Pittsburgh is still a very good team; they’re just not as dynamic offensively.

Cost per head odds should find the Penguins as the favorites at home in this NHL affair, and they’ve won eight of their last 10 in Pittsburgh against the Panthers, with seven games going under the posted total. Check on Malkin’s status for this game as the Penguins should be able to win this without him, but it would be much simpler if he were on the bench. Dineen won’t be intimidated by playing in Pittsburgh as his best years as a player came in Philadelphia, so getting booed by Penguins fans shouldn’t be an issue. We’re still a little skeptical on the Panthers and for good reason; they’ve never given us a chance to be optimistic, especially since Roberto Luongo left. Take the Pittsburgh Penguins at your favorite sports betting websites.

NHL Hockey – No Room For Error In Suddenly Stacked Eastern Conference

2011-10-03T18:34:00.001-07:00

The most prolific sound bite from sports betting experts throughout the Eastern conference labels many of the teams projected to contend for a playoff spot as improved, but with lesser odds of making the postseason. While that seems to be a Catch-22 at first, the fact is that while several teams that finished in the elite eight a year ago or just on the outside have improved, it may not have been enough to get in to the playoffs. The Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and Winnipeg Jets should all be improved enough to compete for a postseason spot, but with the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Rangers all improving as well, there may not be enough room for any of those teams to actually make it.

The Maple Leafs are among the most talked about teams every year, and heading in to this season it is no different with many NHL experts feeling that this is the year that they finally get back in to the playoffs for the first time since before the lockout. Toronto finished last year strong to make some noise in the final month of the season, and with a new franchise goaltender in James Reimer, fans are confident that they have the talent to get in. The Maple Leafs added top center Tim Connolly in the offseason, and their defensive core at least on cost per head paper seems stronger. Time will tell if it is enough to close the eight-point gap that kept them out of the postseason a year ago.

Meanwhile, the Devils actually made a push from the Eastern conference basement to within 12 points of the final playoff spot by the end of last season, but couldn’t close the gap entirely. The hottest team in the NHL over the second half of the year, New Jersey will look to avoid the slow start that plagued them a year ago, and a full season from All Star forward Zach Parise and netminder Martin Brodeur makes them the most likely of the teams that were on the outside looking in a price per head year ago to get in.

Then there is the team formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers, which completed the transition to Winnipeg this past offseason. As the Thrashers, the Jets started last season strong and actually led the division in November before completely falling apart over the second half of the season. With the move to a new city and the excitement that has followed the club in Winnipeg, there is lack of motivation to do better. The Jets do have a ton of talent, and if they can put all the sportsbook reviews pieces together they could clinch a playoff spot in their first and only season in the Eastern conference.

It won’t be easy for any of these three teams to knock off any team on a list that includes the Canadiens, Sabres, and Rangers, with all three making moves in the offseason to help them as they chase down a playoff spot again this year. The Eastern conference is suddenly stacked, and there is clearly no room for error for the NHL teams on the bubble.

NHL Hockey – Concussions Set To Play Another Big Role In The 2011-12 Season

2011-09-26T18:04:00.001-07:00

Even those who play fishing games have caught wind of the recent concussion problems in the NHL, and it has become the biggest problem in the league right now. There are a few teams watching players with concussion problems and here are just a few, although there are surely more worth taking a look at.

Sidney Crosby
The concussion issues begin with the face of the NHL, who still hasn’t been cleared for contact and hasn’t played since last January. Crosby was cleared for a scrimmage that took place on Sunday, but he was wearing a white helmet during the game, which denoted that he couldn’t be touched by his teammates. It was a step in the right direction for the Pittsburgh captain, but there is still no word as to when he’ll be cleared for contact and the doubts are getting louder that Crosby will make his way to the ice this season at all.

Marc Staal
While most of New York is making NFL picks right now in regards to the Jets and Giants, the Rangers’ preseason slate has begun with a trip to Europe after Monday’s game against Philadelphia, but they’ll be one defenseman short as Staal has been experiencing headaches which stems from a concussion he suffered in February. He could still make the trip overseas, but look for the Rangers to show caution when it comes to their best blueliner, and it would be a surprise if Staal played before the preseason finale.

David Perron
A player’s prognosis following a concussion is as unpredictable as an online casino, and it’ll be interesting to see if Perron can resume a promising NHL career as he returns to the Blues more than 10 months after taking a hit from San Jose’s Joe Thornton. However, there is no timetable for Perron to be cleared for contact, so he may not see the ice this season, either. The 23-year-old was emerging as one of the Blues’ top players before his setback.

Matt Lombardi/Tim Connolly
Toronto GM Brian Burke has always been known as one to take risks, and he’s taking a big one this season as he traded for Lombardi, who played two games last year because of concussion issues and hasn’t been cleared to practice yet. Burke also signed free agent Tim Connolly, who has been pretty healthy for the last two years, but his history with concussions is always a worry. The Maple Leafs were looking to add offense and these two can be playmakers, but that is only if they can stay on the ice. If they can, Toronto could be a darkhorse worth wagering on in your online sportsbook.

NHL Hockey – Perry Ranks As Most Valuable NHL Fantasy Asset

2011-09-19T18:24:00.001-07:00

With NHL training camps getting underway across North America, fantasy owners prepare for what projects to be one of the most unpredictable starts to the season since the Toronto Maple Leafs were playing postseason hockey. Will goaltender James Reimer be the savior that Toronto fans hope can get them in to the playoffs? Will Phil Kessel thrive with playmaking center Tim Connolly setting him up? These are just a couple of questions engulfing one NHL team, but what about the rest of the league? Unlike in past seasons where it seemed as though Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals’ winger Alex Ovechkin were interchangeable as the two top fantasy hockey assets, the outlook for this year is much different. Ovechkin finished last year 33 goals short of his career-high, while Crosby didn’t even finish the year after suffering multiple hits to the head, with the effect of resulting concussions still lingering over him. So who is the most valuable NHL fantasy asset heading in to this season? Here is a quick look at some names being bounced around.

Crosby would be considered the sports betting class of the league once again as a top offensive producer that is capable of winning a ton of faceoffs from his center position, but he received a standing ovation from the Penguins’ faithful just for stepping on to the ice at the team’s first camp skate. The possibility lingers that Pittsburgh’s captain could be sidelined for at least the first month, and while he projects as an elite long-term option his immediate value has been hindered. Ovechkin has promised fishing for a better offensive effort after training harder this past offseason, and with head coach Bruce Boudreau promising to let his star loose more often this year it could lead to a rebound season. But Ovechkin might still have trouble keeping up with Daniel Sedin, the Vancouver Canucks’ winger that led the league in points with 104 last season. Daniel and brother Henrik remain elite options, as long as they can continue to avoid the injury bug. Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos should be a prime point producer after tailing off last year, but teammate Martin St. Louis isn’t getting any younger and could stall, while Stamkos has never been excellent from the faceoff dot. With question marks about how the top of the chart will pan out, there is one player that is likely to dominate again after a stellar finish to his sportsbook promo campaign a year ago, and that is Anaheim Ducks’ winger Corey Perry.

Perry finished last online casino season on a tear, finishing with 50 goals and 98 points, including 31 powerplay points. On top of his prime offensive production, the Ducks’ forward also registered 104 penalty minutes, 30 more than any other player ranked in the top-10 in scoring. At just 26-years old, he is only now hitting his prime, and if the way that he ended last season is any indication, Perry has to be considered the most valuable NHL fantasy asset heading in to this year.

NHL Odds – Who Is Overvalued, And Who Is A Darkhorse To Watch For The Stanley Cup?

2011-09-12T18:21:00.001-07:00

There is plenty of time for poker sites online; they’re always going to be there. But the NHL betting season is on the horizon and teams are getting ready to head to training camp, preparing to put a saddening offseason behind them. Here is a look at one team that is being given too much credit, and another team that is worth a sports betting wager as a darkhorse.

Pittsburgh (+700)

Some sportsbook reviews have the Penguins as one of the favorites this year, and they should have a healthy Evgeni Malkin back. The Penguins also picked up Steve Sullivan for dirt cheap and that should help in terms of leadership. However, two things are conspiring to keep the Penguins from a Stanley Cup, and the first is the loss of Maxime Talbot, who not only left, but signed with their bitter rivals from Pittsburgh. One thing is for sure: Talbot, along with former Pittsburgh legend Jaromir Jagr (who also signed with Philadelphia), may need NHL security out of Consol Energy Center the first time that Philadelphia heads to Pittsburgh. But of course, the Sidney Crosby situation looms over the franchise like a storm cloud, and no one has any clue when he’ll be able to return to the ice, if at all this season. Without Crosby, the Penguins are just another good team and if they get some breaks, they could win the Stanley Cup. With a healthy Sidney Crosby, the Penguins are a legitimate Stanley Cup favorite, and there will be questions surrounding his health if and when he comes back.

New York Rangers (+2500)

Most fishing fans will just put something on their line, cast it out and hope for the best, and picking the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup is similar to that, although their odds may be a little better. They have a solid defense and a goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist who can steal games for a team and if necessary, an entire series. The Rangers needed some offense and won the Brad Richards sweepstakes, and while they may have overpaid for him, that’s what the Rangers (and every team from New York, but that’s for another article) do. Richards is still one of the best set-up men in the league, and he did a great job in Dallas last year before getting hurt. The Rangers need a few breaks, as most darkhorses do, and they have a coach in John Tortorella that may choke one of his players on any given night. If they can get rid of the distraction that is Sean Avery (who was arrested in the offseason), the Rangers could turn some heads at most betting websites.

NHL Hockey – 2011-12 NHL Season Is Right Around The Corner

2011-09-05T18:07:00.001-07:00

It has been a long and interesting online casino summer around the National Hockey League. Once again, hockey has journeyed north of the border to find a new home for the Atlanta Thrashers, which will become the Winnipeg Jets next year as the Canadian city gets a second shot at an NHL franchise. Meanwhile, the defending Stanley Cup champions have completed their tour with the Stanley Cup, the defending basement-dwellers have made another couple of key improvements, and the team from Long Island has designated an official tattoo shop effective immediately.

Yes, fans of the New York Islanders will now be able to get tattoos at all home games, with Tattoo Lou’s designated to become the official tattoo shop for the team, which marks the first time in sports betting history that a franchise has ever designated an official tattoo shop. That won’t exactly effect the Islanders on the ice however, and they will still be in a tough bind to bring playoff hockey to Nassau following another offseason in which they failed to make any major improvements.

The Bruins didn’t make any major improvements, but did but a dent in the Stanley Cup. Actually, to be fair, it wasn’t a Boston player that but a dent in hockey’s prized trophy, but rather a member of the Dallas Stars. Celebrating with the Stanley Cup in his native Bonavista, Newfoundland, Michael Ryder didn’t expect a table to give in and the trophy to fall to the floor and suffer a major dent. The loss of Ryder to the Stars though isn’t expected to put a major dent in the chances for the Bruins to repeat as champions, as beyond the offensive winger the team didn’t lose any other key pieces.

Still fishing for success is the Edmonton Oilers, which enter this season just hoping not to land back in the basement of the Western conference. With the first overall picks in each of the past two NHL drafts, the Oilers have landed a couple of key franchise players in Taylor Hall and Jonathan Huberdeau. The former is expected to be ready to contribute as a top-line scorer this year, and while the latter may still be a year away from being able to stand the rigors of the league, there is hope in Oil country that Edmonton will be able to be a more competitive team this year.
With NHL news camps just days away, keep an eye on the sports betting bonus futures for this coming season. Striking early before adjustments are made is crucial to capitalizing on NHL futures, and with so many changes this past sports betting bonus summer it will be important to do some research before picking the division winners, win totals, and the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. It may have a dent in it now, but that doesn’t mean a lot of money cannot be made if you can predict who will win it in the 2011-12 NHL season.

NHL Hockey – Can Pittsburgh Survive Without Sidney Crosby?

2011-08-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

Sidney Crosby may have time for online fishing games in the coming fall as the Pittsburgh captain and star player is still suffering symptoms from a concussion he suffered on New Year’s Day, and no one has any timetable as to when he’ll be back. The Penguins managed to get to the postseason last year and even went to seven games with Tampa Bay in the first round, but can they go through a whole year with their best player and the face of the NHL?

CFL players would compare the Penguins losing Crosby to Montreal losing quarterback Anthony Calvillo, but you have to give Pittsburgh credit for their performance not only after Crosby went down, but Evgeni Malkin as well. You could argue that these two are top-10 players in the league, and Jordan Staal also missed a lot of games, turning the Penguins’ strength down the middle at center into a weakness. Still, Crosby was the team’s scoring leader by 16 points over defenseman Kris LeTang despite playing in exactly half the games and they would be counting on a comeback from a healthy Malkin this year, while Staal came back and was a stud in the playoffs for the Penguins. Staal will be asked to take on more even more responsibility this year as the gritty Maxime Talbot signed with the Penguins’ bitter rivals from Philadelphia, who made a ton of NHL news in the offseason with a huge overhaul of their team. Pittsburgh fans won’t tolerate the Flyers getting the upper hand in the rivalry, so this is a massive year for the Penguins, who would love to have their captain back.

But even those who playing online casino games will tell you that the team misses Crosby’s leadership the most when he isn’t in the lineup. The Penguins have a few leaders like LeTang and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who garnered some MVP consideration for his performance after Crosby and Malkin went to the sidelines. But Crosby is the leader of the team and he may have been able to help his team stem the tide after they lost 8-2 at home in Game 5 of their series with Tampa Bay; had they won that game, the Penguins have gone through to the next round, but after losing in such a humiliating way on their home ice, Pittsburgh looked shell-shocked in Game 6 and then lost a tight 1-0 game in Game 7, again on their ice. Crosby is that big of a play-maker that he could have easily made the difference in that series and while the Penguins are a good team without him, with Sidney Crosby in the lineup Pittsburgh are legitimate sports betting contenders for the Stanley Cup.

NHL Hockey – Pieces Are In Place For Canadiens To Make Stanley Cup Run

2011-08-22T18:31:00.001-07:00

When Patrice Bergeron toured through Quebec City with the Stanley Cup earlier this month, it must have made the taste in fans of the Montreal Canadiens even more bitter. After all, it was the Canadiens that forced the eventual Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins to seven games in the opening round of the 2011 playoffs only to lose a third overtime contest in the decisive game. The Bruins went on to make easy work of the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning before coming back against the Vancouver Canucks, while fans in Montreal simply watched in disgust. However, while the past continues to haunt the Canadiens, there is betonline reason for optimism in the future, as the team looks to improve on their play from a year ago and make a run of their own.

With less than a sports betting month to go before their first preseason game, the outlook for the Canadiens is a lot different than it was when they lost to Boston in last year’s playoffs. Montreal will welcome to the lineup a couple of key forwards they have identified as top-six players, as the addition of Eric Cole and the return of Max Pacioretty are expected to make for a significant upgrade. Cole is a potential 30-goal scorer that can play a very physical style, while Pacioretty has the same upside but is still learning the game. While those two should be able to provide a boost, Scott Gomez has made a commitment to improving his level of play this offseason, and alongside captain Brian Gionta should be able to open up his game with some size on his wing. The trio of Gomez, Pacioretty, and Gionta enjoyed some chemistry before the youngest member of that line was injured, and the organization is hoping they can pick up where they left off. That would leave Cole to slide in beside Mike Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec, making for a solid one-two punch.

Defensively, the Canadiens should be better with the return of both Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges, while PK Subban benefits from another year at the NHL level. Hal Gill can still have a role as a big veteran presence while playing a reduced role, and the addition of Alexei Yemelin from Russia is expected to have an impact. Once again the most important piece of the puzzle in Montreal will be the last line of defense, and Carey Price should be ready for the challenge after emerging as a Vezina candidate a year ago.

All of the online casino pieces appear to be in place for the Canadiens to make a long postseason run, and if they can avoid the injuries that destroyed their chances a year ago, they should have more than a good chance. Fans in Montreal were reminded of how cruel the sport can be when Zdeno Chara and the Bruins went on to win it all this past season, but it will be about much more than revenge when they take the ice again this year.

NHL Hockey – Flyers Are The Team To Watch For The Upcoming 2011-12 Season

2011-08-15T18:33:00.001-07:00

Those who bet on MLB odds know that a team has to make moves every year to keep up with the rest of the league, but the biggest story in the NHL offseason is Philadelphia, who completed a major shakeup of their roster and whether or not it is successful, all eyes will be on Broad Street during the 2011-12 campaign.

The Flyers finished second in the Eastern Conference last season behind Washington, and then they needed seven games to finish off Buffalo in the first round before they suffered a four-game beatdown at the hands of Boston, the eventual Stanley Cup champions. But they made headlines in the NHL news during the postseason for their seemingly endless drama in the crease, starting rookie Sergei Bobrovsky, Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher in the playoffs and tying a record seven in-game goalie changes. They didn’t wait until the free-agent frenzy to make moves, sending a couple of picks and Matt Clackson to Phoenix for Ilya Bryzgalov, who underperformed for the Coyotes in a sweep at the hands of Detroit. The Flyers hope that their goaltending problems will be solved by Bryzgalov, who averaged about 33 wins over four seasons in Phoenix, but after his play in the postseason, it wouldn’t be surprising if some sports betting players were skeptical.

But that wasn’t even the biggest news of the offseason as the Flyers made waves on June 23^rd with a couple of moves that even caught the attention of those who make NFL picks. First, the Flyers sent Jeff Carter to Columbus for Jakub Voracek and a couple of draft picks, and then they dealt with Los Angeles, swapping captain Mike Richards, along with Rob Bordson for prime prospect Bradyen Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and another pick. Reports surfaced that these two were responsible for a culture of partying in the Philadelphia locker room and that the team was split into two factions: those who followed Richards and Carter, and the other that followed Chris Pronger (who missed the stretch run and most of the playoffs with a broken hand). Pronger will probably be named the captain of the team now, and while everyone involved is denying the reports of locker-room strife, it’s interesting that the Flyers chose to part ways with Carter, a former 40-goal scorer and a player that should consistently give you 30 goals at least, and Richards, their team captain and one of the best two-way players in the league.

Don’t forget about Jaromir Jagr, who returns to the NHL and the former Pittsburgh Penguin will receive a shower of boos when he returns to the city with their biggest rivals. The Flyers also got rid of Kris Versteeg for a couple of picks from Florida, while Andreas Lilja and another former Penguin, Maxime Talbot, will join the team as well. Like them or not, the Flyers will be an intriguing team to watch all season in your online sports betting book.

NHL Hockey – Sharks Continue To Build Contender Through Wild This Offseason

2011-08-08T18:09:00.001-07:00

The San Jose Sharks have developed a culture around falling short in the postseason. Perennial playoff contenders in the Western conference, the Sharks have become known as a team that enjoys a ton of success during the regular season, but isn’t capable of handling the rigors of an NHL postseason. The franchise is trying to grow out of that culture moving forward, and since they haven’t been able to overcome that inability to make it through the Western conference on their own, they continue to look outside the organization for help. Their biggest trade partner has been the Minnesota Wild, and while the latest move between the two teams is nothing spectacular, it definitively highlights what the sports betting team is attempting to do.

At the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Sharks traded winger Devin Setoguchi to Minnesota along with top prospect Charlie Coyle and a first-round pick in order to secure a top-four defenseman in Brent Burns. The move was made in an effort to get bigger in its own end, something that has really cost San Jose in the past. A month later, the Sharks made an even bigger splash when they traded winger Danny Heatley to the Wild in exchange for Martin Havlat, a move that on paper looks like a loss but in the bigger scheme of things should be a definite win. Despite the gaudy statistics that Heatley has managed to put up during the regular season alongside Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau over the years, he had consistently failed to not only raise his level of play, but also to match his regular season production. San Jose obviously felt as though Havlat could provide an upgrade on the wing when it mattered the most with his drive and determination, something only betonline time will tell. The Sharks expecting an even bigger impact on defense from Burns, whose stature and play in his own end will provide the spark that the team has lacked against elite NHL forwards over the past couple of seasons. While the latest move between the two clubs won’t have an immediate impact on either club, the fact that San Jose acquired another big center in James Sheppard shows that they are determined to add size and determination to their lineup in the long run.

The online casino odds for 2012 list the Sharks as 12-1 favorites to win it all, which puts them in the same boat as the Chicago Blackhawks, with the second-best odds behind the defending Western conference champion Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks will return almost the same lineup that went to game seven of the finals a year ago, while the Blackhawks are just two years removed from a Stanley Cup. San Jose has been the most consistent team in the west not to get in, but with the additions of some size and grit to the lineup, perhaps this is the year that the Sharks go all the way in the NHL Western conference.

NHL Hockey – Holmgren’s Transformation Of Flyers Unprecedented

2011-08-01T18:06:00.001-07:00

A couple of months after the Boston Bruins knocked off the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 Stanley Cup finals, the outlook remains largely the same in the NHL. Although there were some notable offseason moves and adjustments made by teams around the league, there aren’t many significant changes that have registered on the sports betting radar that will have a major effect going into next season. The exception for that rule is the Philadelphia Flyers, a franchise that turned in a completely different direction after falling short of their goals a year ago. The Flyers went out and addressed their problems this offseason, and the effects were drastic. One year after Philadelphia fell short in the Stanley Cup finals, the team was dismissed with ease by a much more powerful Bruins’ team that went on to win it all, signaling that online casinosports betting time at all going out and making the necessary changes to retool his roster. First, he went after the most obvious needs and traded for the exclusive rights to talk with Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes. Bryzgalov was the biggest goaltender on the free agent market, and after carrying the Coyotes the past couple of seasons the fit was a no-brainer for the organization. However, in order to sign Bryzgalov to the long-term deal that they wanted to the Flyers would have to cut some salary off of a roster that was already close to the cap limit. What followed was one of the most incredible and unprecedented groups of moves that the NHL has ever witnessed.

Holmgren began by moving Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jakub Voracek and the eighth overall pick in the 2011 draft. The Flyers then turned around and used that pick to select Sean Couturier, one of the most talented young center prospects in the game. Although Couturier’s potential is recognized as much more long term, Voracek would be able to contribute immediately on the wing. Just as important as the talent that they acquired was the fact that they had cleared some cap space, a number that they would need moving forward. Then came the biggest surprise of the offseason, as Philadelphia traded their captain and top center Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings for Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. While still young, Scheen is ready to contribute at the NHL level and Simmonds is the type of power winger that the organization loves. With the money left from dealing two big contracts, the Flyers went and signed Bryzgalov to that massive sports betting bonus long-term deal that they were looking for.

In a single offseason, Holmgren has reshaped his entire team and actually improved their chances of winning while making them younger as well. The Flyers will be among the most dangerous teams in the NHL once again next year, and the memory of what Holmgren did this past offseason will be on the minds of every NHL fan as they make another push for the Stanley Cup in 2011-12.

NHL Hockey – Canadiens’ Roster Complete With The Signing Of Gorges

2011-07-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

One of the most talented young teams in the league has now put all of its pieces together this offseason, with its latest move to solidify a defense core that made strides a year ago despite dealing with a ton of injuries. With the signing of Josh Gorges last week, the Montreal Canadiens appear set for the coming season, as they look forward to what should be an exciting year for both the team and its fans. In each of the last two seasons the Canadiens have been eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champions. This year, fans in the hockey-crazed market hope that they will be the one celebrating when it is all said and done.

The re-signing of Gorges to a one-year, $2.5 million deal solidifies a defense core that should be very much improved this betonline season. Gorges was a top-four defenseman with the Canadiens before he missed the final two months of the season and the playoffs, and his return should provide more stability. Gorges will be joined by assistant captain Andrei Markov, who also returns from injury after missing most of last season. When healthy, Markov ranks among the most dangerous offensive defenseman in the league, and he will once again quarterback the powerplay while logging solid minutes against the opposition’s top line. Hall Gill, Jaroslav Spacek, and youngster PK Subban all return, while the Canadiens also added some grit with the signing of Alexei Yemelin. The tandem of Subban and Markov on the powerplay should be dynamite, and it will be interesting to see how head coach Jacques Martin uses them.

Up front the Canadiens are still very small, but they added some important size this offseason with the addition of free agent Eric Cole. Cole scored 26 goals with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, and just as important he has the size and strength to be considered a legitimate power forward. Cole will work with young Max Pacioretty to help continue his growth within the organization, and if those two can remain healthy they should both put up good numbers. One of the two will likely be paired with Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta on one of the top scoring lines, while the other will move down to the third line and try to provide some secondary scoring. General manager Pierre Gauthier still believes that Andrei Kostitsyn can put together his tremendous talent with some online casino consistency, and he will likely play on Montreal’s top line along with Thomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri.

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The most important thing heading into this NHL season for the Canadiens will be to stay healthy. Goaltender Carey Price played more games than any other goalie last year, and he thrived in the spotlight as a Vezina trophy candidate. Montreal will once again rely heavily on his continued progress, and if their roster is healthy when it matters the most, there is no reason for the Canadiens not to contend for a Stanley Cup this sports betting season.

NHL Hockey – Maple Leafs Still Have Too Many Holes To Be Contenders In East

2011-07-18T17:42:00.001-07:00

Heading into his third complete season as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke is supposed to have assembled a legitimate contender by now. After all, the team that he inherited wasn’t that awful that it was expected it would take a half-decade just to get back into the playoffs in the Eastern conference, which means that the buds should be seeing postseason action this spring. But as his roster stands right now it is unlikely that the Maple Leafs’ roster has the talent and depth to compete for a spot in this year’s elite eight, and that has more than a few in the city questioning the job that Burke has done.

Recognized as one of the top executives in the league, Burke once again struck out in his quest to sign one of the most offensively gifted forwards on the market, missing on free agent center Brad Richards. Even worse was the fact that Richards ended up inking a deal with the New York Rangers, one of the team’s that Toronto will have to push for a playoff spot this season. With Richards’ signing in the big apple, the Maple Leafs settled for Tim Connolly, whose history of concussions and other injuries have left a big question mark in their No. 1 center hole. At his best, Connolly is a dynamic scorer and playmaker that can make things a lot easier for top winger Phil Kessel, but that is only if he can stay out of the online casino medical room.

Burke did make a splash trading for Cody Franson of the Nashville Predators, a young defenseman with solid offensive upside that can also handle his own in the defensive end. Franson was joined by center Matt Lombardi in the deal, another talented center that has struggled with concussion problems over the past couple of seasons. Lombardi will try to resurrect his career with the Maple Leafs if he can get healthy this betonline season, and will likely fill the third-line center spot behind Mikhail Grabovski if he can play.

Once again Burke failed to land a top-line winger, although this season it is understandable given the lack of big names available on the market. Toronto is high on Phil Kessel and there is a good chance that Nazem Kadri could join Nik Kulemin and company with the big club, but even then there is a severe lack of firepower. The Maple Leafs have gone all in on the goaltending duo of James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson, even though that they only have one year of starting experience combined. Fans in Toronto have been desperate for playoff hockey since the lockout year, and given what Burke has done so far things aren’t looking good. Barring a couple of significant sports betting moves the Maple Leafs will once again be on the outside looking in on the Eastern conference playoff picture this season, as a lack of talent and depth is exposed.

NHL Hockey – Attention Must Turn To Burke With Failure Not An Option

2011-07-11T17:50:00.001-07:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t made the playoffs since the NHL lockout year, a streak that is fast approaching a decade now, with no end to the skid in sight. For a mad hockey market like Toronto that streak of futility is simply unacceptable. With general manager Brian Burke refusing to make a change with head coach Ron Wilson, the onus will now fall on him to make sure that the Maple Leafs contend for a playoff spot, and another failure is simply not an option. That said, it seems like a reach to think that the Toronto team as it is assembled now has the talent to make the postseason, which is why the betonline review attention should turn to Burke for his ineptitude.

Consider that the Maple Leafs finished 10^th in the Eastern conference a sports betting year ago, eight points back of the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot. That team surged in the second half of the season after it seemed like they were no longer in contention, and despite a strong finish once again watched as another division rival made it to the Stanley Cup finals as former defenseman Thomas Kaberle and the Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks in the championship series. There were some strong points such as the play of rookie netminder James Reimer, the emergence of Nik Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski up front, and the steady improvement of young defenseman Keith Aulie and Luke Schenn. But at this point Reimer is simply a one-year talent that hasn’t proved anything yet, while Grabovski and Kulemin are in the same boat. Schenn was solid in his rookie year and then regressed into a sophomore slump, so heading into year four he will need to prove that he can continue to move forward.

Burke hasn’t done much this offseason, refusing to make offer sheets to restricted free agents, while failing to score big on the open sports betting bonus market. The Maple Leafs signed an injury-prone center in Tim Connolly after missing out on Brad Richards, and while acquiring Cody Franson from the Nashville Predators was a solid move, the injury history of Matt Lombardi doesn’t inspire much confidence. It doesn’t appear on paper as if Toronto has done enough, and only time will tell if they can find a way to get in.

It’s hard to find a spot to fit them, especially with the Buffalo Sabres and New York improving their rosters after finishing seventh and eighth in the Eastern conference. There is also the New Jersey Devils, which challenged for a playoff spot after finishing the first half of the season with the worst record in the East, as well as the ninth place Carolina Hurricanes. The blame can be spread across the entire organization as the Maple Leafs continue to get ready for another tough season, but if Toronto fails to make the playoffs the online casino attention will have to turn to Burke.

NHL Hockey – Canadiens Bring In Key Addition In Free Agent Cole

2011-07-04T19:10:00.001-07:00

The Montreal Canadiens came within one goal of eliminating the eventual Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins in the opening round of the 2011 NHL playoffs. When free agency opened this past weekend, the team made sure that it added a key piece that could have made the difference in that decisive overtime of game seven. Fans can speculate endlessly about what could have happened if the Canadiens had beat the Bruins in overtime of game seven in the opening round, but for a team with a ton of young talent the focus now is looking forward to what projects to be a promising future. The Canadiens added free agent winger Erik Cole and backup netminder Peter Budaj when the signing period opened, and those two sports betting moves may be the only ones that this team makes.

Montreal general manager Pierre Gauthier addressed the team’s only two pressing needs. The first was for a backup goaltender who will relieve Carey Price. The second, for a top-six forward that can both lay down the body and score goals. The Canadiens feel that Budaj can easily hold down the fort in the 15-20 games that he will play for the team in each of the next two seasons, while Cole should be able to provide both scoring and a physical presence on the top two lines. With Price playing so many games last year for Montreal, the focus for Gauthier was to find another young goalie that had starting experience and would be willing to sign a two-year deal. It is uncertain where Cole will fit as a member of the Canadiens top-two lines, but regardless the sports betting bonus depth and talent is there.

A year ago, Montreal was devastated by the loss of winger Max Pacioretty, who seemed on the verge of emerging as one of the league’s young stars on a line with Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta. Pacioretty is a physical force with great offensive upside, and head coach Jacques Martin might want to see him stay on the line that he was having success on. That leaves the Canadiens’ other top-six line, with an opening beside Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri. Andrei Kostitsyn played on that line last year and was signed to a one-year deal, but could be forced to play with more online casino urgency if he is moved down to the third line along with Jars Eller and Travis Moen.

While the puzzle isn’t complete just yet, the pieces are there and that was the priority for Gauthier and the organization. The Canadiens feel as though they are right there among the top teams in the Eastern conference with the potential to go all the way, and with the signings that Gauthier has made, Montreal has the key pieces that they needed for the chance to go all the way in 2011. Only time will tell if its enough, but at this point there is no doubt that this team has gotten better, and will get the chance to show why after this MLB season.

NHL Hockey – Canadiens Not Far From Being A Top Contender

2011-07-03T17:51:00.001-07:00

As the Boston Bruins skated around the ice at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver with the Stanley Cup held high, the Montreal Canadiens and their fans must have been wondering about what could have been. After all, it was the Canadiens that forced the Bruins to a decisive seventh game in the first round of the Eastern conference playoffs only to fall in overtime with the series on the line. In fact, Montreal suffered three of their four losses from that series in overtime, leading some to wonder what they could have done if the result had been reversed in just one of those extra frames. Nobody will ever know if 2010-11 Canadiens would have had what it took to do what Boston did the rest of the way, but there is a renewed sense of optimism that the team can prove what they are capable of with reinforcements on the way this sports betting bonus season.

The Canadiens battled the Bruins with a ton of injuries in that series, although their strong play prevented many betting media sources from concentrating on who they were missing. The list of injured Montreal players included two of their top four defenseman in Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges, both of whom are expected to be back healthy for next season. The Canadiens were also without forward Max Pacioretty in a cruel twist of fate, as the young winger watched from the stands as Bruins’ captain Zdeno Chara and company celebrated on the ice after Nathan Horton scored the series-winning goal in game seven. The loss of Pacioretty didn’t only hurt the Canadiens in terms of scoring, but balance as well as they had to shuffle their lines around, which hurt their chemistry. With Max-Pac healthy and ready to go again this year, Montreal will have three top players back in the fold that weren’t on the roster of the team that pushed the Stanley Cup champions to seven online casino games.

But general manager Pierre Gauthier is far from done there, as he looks to add even more talent to a roster that should get another boost from the experience that goaltender Carey Price and defenseman PK Subban gained with another year at the NHL level. Gauthier has already added a top defenseman by bringing over Alexei Yemelin from the KHL after years of being unable to convince him to make the jump to the NHL, and promises to bolster his lineup even further as free agency continues this MLB summer. The Canadiens are hoping to find some more scoring and toughness beyond what potential rookies such as former first round pick Louis Leblanc could bring to the team, and Gauthier will heavily pursue a variety of different options including potentially the trade route in order to secure an opening night roster that is capable of contending for much more than just a playoff spot in the Eastern conference in the 2011-12 season.

NHL Hockey – Ton Of Talent Available In NHL 2011 Draft Top Ten

2011-06-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

While there is no denying that the 2011 NHL draft doesn’t have the same type of elite talent at the top as past year’s have, this edition’s talent pool has good depth throughout the first half of the first round and a ton of quality options for teams to look to. The pressure will be on the Edmonton Oilers with the first overall pick once again, but beyond that there are several teams that can add another key sports betting bonus piece to their futures to build as a contender. Here is a look at where

1. Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C)

The Oilers will look to add a center to pair alongside last year’s first overall pick Taylor Hall for years to come, and there is no player with more potential to handle that role than Nugent-Hopkins. The Red Deer Rebel has outstanding vision on the ice and is a solid playmaker that will provide Edmonton with a key one-two punch on its top line for years to come.

2. Colorado Avalanche – Adam Larsson (D)

The Avalanche have a ton of needs but the most likely scenario sees them adding a quality defenseman in Larsson, who has the skill set to play in this league right away. At 6-3 and 200 pounds Larsson has the massive frame to build into a physical force at his own end of the ice, as well as the blast from the point that could make him a key on the Colorado powerplay.

3. Florida Panthers – Gabriel Landeskog (LW)

While some scouts aren’t as high on Landeskog, the Panthers understand that he is exactly the type of power forward that they lost when they dealt Nathan Horton, and although he is not at the same level as the Boston Bruins’ star, he has all of the tools to get there. Great size and strong character make him an obvious fit for Florida.

4. New Jersey Devils – Dougie Hamilton (D)

The Devils aren’t that far from being a contender, and the chance to add a stud defender that won’t demand a high salary should help get them there. Hamilton was the OHL player of the year in 2011 and plays a solid game at both ends of the ice.

5. New York Islanders – Jonathan Huberdeau (c)

The Memorial Cup MVP solidified his status as a top prospect with incredible play at the tournament, and after breaking out for 105 points in his sophomore season has a bright future in the NHL in a MLB betting town.

6. Ottawa Senators – Ryan Strome (C)

The Senators are enticed by Strome’s playmaking ability and desire to battle on every shift, something that the team has lacked from it’s top forwards at times in recent betting years.

7. Winnipeg – Sean Couturier (C)

Despite being named the league MVP in the QMJHL, Couturier dropped down most draft boards mainly due to the names around him. The new Winnipeg franchise will welcome him with open arms, a good start to the change taking place there.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets – Ryan Murphy (D)

The Blue Jackets are actively trying to build a contender, and after adding Jeff Carter the day before the draft another solid defenseman works here.

9. Boston Bruins – Steve Baertschi (LW)

As if the defending Stanley Cup champions actually needed another first round pick, the Bruins will go ahead and add to their offense with this talented left-wing prospect.

10. Minnesota Wild – Mike Zibanejad (LW)

The 6-2 power forward is exactly the presence that the Wild have been looking for the past couple of years. Zibanejad will bang like the best from the WWE and make an impact within the next couple of years.

NHL Hockey – Bruins, Canucks Will Fight For Hardware Again At NHL Awards

2011-06-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

The players on the 2011 Boston Bruins have already had the chance to lift the most important trophy in hockey, but there could still be some more hardware on the way for a couple of the Stanley Cup champions. Conn Smythe winner Tim Thomas is an online sports betting favorite to add to his collection for this season, while a couple of players from the Vancouver Canucks’ Western conference champion team may also be recognized at this year’s NHL awards show. Here is a look at the nominees for each award.

Jack Adams Trophy

This is where Alain Vigneault should get his due after leading Vancouver to one of the most dominant regular seasons in decade. The Canucks scored more goals while allowing fewer than any other online casino team, and finished with the most points as Presidents trophy winners.

Winner: Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks

Calder Trophy

This is perhaps the most wide open category and one of the only lists of nominees that doesn’t feature a member of the Bruins or Canucks. Carolina Hurricanes’ forward Jeff Skinner finished with 63 points, but it was New York Islanders’ forward Michael Grabner that had the most points, while San Jose Sharks’ forward Logan Couture had the biggest impact on his team, and was the only one who reached the sports betting bonus postseason.

Winner: Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

Vezina Trophy

While Henrik Lundqvist was solid for the New York Rangers this season and Carey Price made people forget about Jaroslav Halak with the Montreal Canadiens, there was no goaltender in the league that was as good as Thomas. The Bruins’ netminder led the league with a .938 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average, and registered nine shutouts. Thomas beat out two of the other candidates in Price and Canucks’ goalie Roberto Luongo on Boston’s run to the Stanley Cup, and although that won’t matter in the voting it showed that it was more than just regular season statistics that made him the better goalie.

Winner: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Norris Trophy

The trend of Bruins taking home the hardware will continue with their captain Chara earning recognition as the top defenseman. Chara finished the season with an incredible plus-33 rating and made his presence felt at both ends of the ice, and although he didn’t finish with as many points as Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom the Boston defense would have crumbled without him.

Winner: Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Hart Trophy

If Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby had played the entire season there would be no debate that this award would go to him, but after he missed the second half of the season with a concussion the frontrunners to win are Vancouver forward Daniel Sedin and Thomas. An argument can be made that Sedin benefited greatly from his brother Henrik’s presence on the top line, and that he can’t be the most valuable player to his team if both are playing at the same level, so the more appropriate choice has to be Thomas for what he has done for Boston and what was once only an MLB city.

Winner: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

NHL Hockey – Stanley Cup Losers Will Still Be Eligible For Some Hardware In 2011

2011-06-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

Regardless of whether the Vancouver Canucks or Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup, the loser will still have a good shot at taking home some hardware in 2011. The Canucks have already guaranteed that after winning the Presidents trophy, with Daniel Sedin the Art Ross Trophy winner after registering a league-high 104 points and the tandem of Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider already clinching the William M. Jennings trophy for fewest goals allowed by a duo with 185. Anaheim Ducks’ forward Corey Perry will be recognized with the Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy at this year’s awards ceremony after scoring a league-high 50 goals this regular season, but there is still some debate about where the remainder of the trophies will go ahead of the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting race.

Bruins’ netminder Tim Thomas is likely to guarantee that Boston gets some hardware as the leading candidate for Vezina trophy nominees. Thomas finished with an incredible 2.00 goals against average and .938 save percentage to help him to a 35-11-9 record on the year, better numbers than either Roberto Luongo of Vancouver or Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators were able to register. Thomas seemed to be an afterthought in the organization after being replaced by Tuukka Rask in goal a year ago, and his comeback storyline should silence any debate that he deserves the sports betting award.

The Frank J. Selke award goes to the best defensive forward, and unlike the Vezina this group of nominees is much more difficult to determine a winner from. Detroit Red Wings’ center Pavel Datsyuk has won the award in the past and was excellent again this year, but he missed some time with injury and that leaves the door open for Canucks’ forward Ryan Kesler and Chicago Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews. Toews finished with the most points and the best plus-minus out of the group even despite the fact that the Blackhawks barely clinched a playoff spot, and that should give him the pay per head edge to win it.

While Thomas is likely to win the Vezina, his teammate Zdeno Chara might be the best choice to with the Norris trophy as the league’s best defenseman. There isn’t a more physically dominant force in the league as Chara, and he did a bit of everything at both ends of the ice to lead Boston to the Stanley Cup finals after a Northeast division title. Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators’ defenseman Shea Weber both deserve credit, but unless Chara loses points among the voters for his brutal hit on Montreal Canadiens’ forward Max Pacioretty he should be a lock.

San Jose Sharks’ forward Logan Couture was the league’s best rookie all season and should get recognition with the Calder Memorial, while Philadelphia Flyers’ center Ian Laperriere’s work with his teammates after nearly having his career and possibly life ended in a terrible on-ice accident has him as the sports betting bonus favorite to win the Bill Masterton award for perseverance and dedication to the sport.

Stanley Cup Hockey – Bruins Look To Bounce Back At Home Against Canucks

2011-06-05T17:58:00.001-07:00

The Boston Bruins head back home for Monday’s game three against the Vancouver Canucks looking to find a way to climb back into the series after getting bumped around on the road through the first two games. Boston’s biggest problem has been finding the back of the net despite scoring several chances against the Canucks, and they will need to get a lot more traffic in front of Roberto Luongo to finally break through ahead of the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting race.

Vancouver Canucks @ Boston Bruins

Monday June 6, 2011 – 8:00 PM ET

TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Online Sports Betting Odds: Boston Bruins – 110

For the Canucks, the biggest adjustment will be playing in a hostile environment where they don’t have the hometown crowd behind them. That also means the inability for head coach Alain Vigneault to match lines with the second change, and it will be interesting to see how the Bruins’ offense fares with the edge in matchups.

Stanley Cup Betting Preview: Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have arguably the deepest team in the league this year, and that is why playing on the road hasn’t been as difficult as it may have been for other teams so far this season. Vancouver will roll four lines away from home and if the Sedin twins aren’t able to find the open ice than the second and third will continue to get quality opportunities on Boston Bruins’ netminder Tim Thomas. Roberto Luongo has been outstanding for the Canucks during their cup run, proving that he is more than capable of handling the load. As long as he continues to play at the level that he has, Vancouver should have no problem providing enough offense to get the pay per head job done.

Stanley Cup Betting Preview: Boston Bruins

The Bruins have struggled on the powerplay all year, and even with Thomas Kaberle on the point and Zdeno Chara causing traffic in front of the opposition goal they haven’t found their groove. Boston will need to get something going on special teams to have any shot at bouncing back in this series, and it could come down to players like Nathan Horton and Patrice Bergeron simply getting more pucks at the net. Tim Thomas can’t play any better than he did in the opener and they still lost that sports betting bonus game, so now the onus will be on the offense to solve Luongo.

Who To Bet On?

The Canucks have dictated the pace of the series so far, and that close game one could have been blown wide open if it wasn’t for the incredible play of Thomas. Still, if the Bruins are going to win any game it will be this one with the series shifting back home, so look for them to get the job done and steal game three in front of the hometown fans.

Stanley Cup Betting Pick: Boston Bruins - 110

NHL Hockey – Canucks Rested, Ready For Stanley Cup Finals

2011-05-29T17:53:00.001-07:00

After wrapping up their Western conference final series against the San Jose Sharks, the Vancouver Canucks are resting and waiting for their Stanley Cup final opponents. With the opening date for the championship series set for June 1, less than two weeks ahead of this year’s Belmont Stakes betting race, the Presidents trophy winners will wait to host game one of the series in their first Stanley Cup appearance since falling to the New York Rangers in the 1994 finals. Too much rest could be a bad thing, but while the Boston Bruins battled it out with the Tampa Bay Lightning to a decisive seventh game, the Canucks have done nothing but prepare for the most important part of their incredible season.

Either team that advances from the Eastern conference finals would still get the extra five days rest to prepare for the finals, but it is the mental aspect of it that will make the biggest difference. Vancouver has been the most dominant team in the league all year, and one of the best that the NHL has seen over the past couple of years, and it is now about finishing the job. If the Canucks fall short on the biggest pay per head stage, then it will all be for nothing, but with a couple of key players returning to health that shouldn’t be a big problem.

Everybody knew that the loss of Manny Malholtra would have an impact on the team, but after persevering through the first three rounds the team’s second-line center is ready to make his sports betting bonus return. No player is healthy at playoff time and the actual rest should do wonders for players such as Ryan Kesler and Aaron Rome, while the Sedin twins also have the opportunity to catch their breath after their best three rounds since coming into the league.

With Kevin Bieksa putting up the numbers that he has so far in the series Vancouver will be a hard team to stop. The Canucks have quality depth at all three levels, and the fact that role players such as trade deadline pickups Chris Higgins and Max Lappiere have excelled in their roles. 2010 Olympic gold medalist goaltender Roberto Luongo has finally answered his critics with a complete postseason, surviving an onslaught from the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the opening round and never looking back. As long as Luongo is providing the steady goaltending at their own sports betting end, the Canucks should have the edge in every department regardless of whom they match up against. Not since the Montreal Canadiens did it in 1993 has a Canadian team won the cup, but that could change with the best team that resides north of the border getting their opportunity. Despite arguments to the contrary the extra rest will help the Canucks, and they should be rested and ready to put it all together in the Stanley Cup finals.

NHL Hockey – Canucks Look To Silence Sharks At Home With Give Five Tuesday

2011-05-22T17:58:00.003-07:00

While the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks have been criticized for what has been considered a lack of emotion over the years, neither team can fall under that category again in their Western conference final series in 2011. The Sharks have battled hard but haven’t been rewarded in the win column the way that they had hoped, and that has led to the Canucks earning the chance to put a stranglehold on the series at home in game six Tuesday.

San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks

Tuesday May 24, 2011 – 9:00 PM ET

Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia

Online Sports Betting Odds: Vancouver Canucks – 120

With the Preakness Stakes betting race in the rearview mirror, Vancouver has its eye on redemption in the Stanley Cup finals with the chance to return to the championship series for the first time since they lost to the New York Rangers there in 1994. The Canucks have been the league’s most dominant team all year, and now need to prove it when it matters the most.

NHL Betting Preview: San Jose Sharks

The Sharks have not gotten the same effort from their depth forwards that they had through the first two rounds, or at least at this point it has become a matter that the third and fourth lines haven’t outplayed those for Vancouver. Patrick Marleau has somewhat answered the bell with a more consistent offensive effort and nobody will doubt him after he dropped the gloves with Canucks’ defenseman Kevin Bieksa in game two, but it is the rest of the team that hasn’t raised their level of play so far. San Jose’s thin defense core has looked soft at times, and will need to do a better job in their own end to avoid letting the series fall out of hand.

NHL Betting Preview: Vancouver Canucks

When the Canucks added Chris Higgins and Max Lappiere at the NHL trade deadline, few would have projected that they would have the profound impact that they have had on the team in the conference finals. Vancouver has easily been the most dominant team that the league has had over the past couple of sports betting years, and although they faced some adversity in the opening round against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, that seems to have served them well. Roberto Luongo has been much more consistent over the past two series’, and as long as he continues to make the big stops the Canucks should be fine.

NHL Betting Preview: Matchup & Pick

The Canucks have been incredible all pay per head season regardless of where they have played, but have been their best at home where they took the first two games from the Sharks in the series. Vancouver will put a stranglehold on the series in game five at home, and it won’t be long before they find out who they will play in the 2011 Stanley Cup finals.

NHL Betting Pick: Vancouver Canucks - 120

NHL Hockey – Lightning Looking To Strike In Game Two At Boston

2011-05-15T17:49:00.001-07:00

The Tampa Bay Lightning will get another shot at the Boston Bruins on the road on Tuesday before heading home for games three and four, and will look to swing the momentum in the favor before going back to the St. Pete Times Forum. The Lightning had won five of six road games that they played heading into the NHL series, and now have the perfect opportunity to put the pressure on Boston before heading home.

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins

Tuesday May 17, 2011 – 8:00 PM ET

TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Online Sports Betting Odds: Boston Bruins – 120

The Bruins exorcised some playoff demons by knocking off the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round, but Tampa Bay is a team that more closely resembles the Montreal Canadiens’ team that pushed them to overtime in the seventh game before falling. Boston knows how important winning at home will mean to this series, and will face the pressure of getting the job done.

NHL Betting Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning

Unlike the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, the Bruins are much stronger and play a tougher game than Tampa Bay does, and that will mean having to deal with a lot more adversity. The Lightning will need to keep the crease clear for netminder Dwayne Roloson to get the job done, while making sure that they get more traffic to Boston goaltender Tim Thomas. The depth players have made the difference for Tampa Bay so far in these sports betting bonus playoffs, but more will be needed from Steven Stamkos and Vinny Lecavalier if Tampa Bay is going to go any further.

NHL Betting Preview: Boston Bruins

The Bruins had trouble with the speed of the Canadiens in the opening round, and will face a similar matchup against Tampa Bay. Boston scored almost at will in the second round against the Flyers’ goaltending carousel, but it will be a lot tougher for them to register those markers against a red-hot Dwayne Roloson. Whether or not Patrice Bergeron can draw back into the lineup will be key, as his presence is a huge addition at both ends of the ice. There will be even more pressure on Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton without Bergeron in the lineup, and those two forwards will need to continue to produce. The Boston powerplay has really struggled in the postseason although they did come alive in the final two games against Philadelphia.

NHL Betting: Matchup & Pick

Boston will have the second change once again and should be able to take advantage of being able to match lines to slow the Tampa Bay offense. The Bruins don’t want to head to St. Pete Times Forum without the momentum behind them, and although they will face the pressure in front of the home crowd it should serve as motivation to get the pay per head job done and get back in the win column.

NHL Betting Pick: Boston Bruins – 130

UFC Boxing – Maynard Looks To Capitalize In Lightweight Title Rematch

2011-05-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Fighting Championships return to Las Vegas, Nevada and the MGM Grand Garden Arena for UFC 130: Edgar vs. Maynard 3. The title says it all as the two fighters in the main event clash for the third time, and challenger Gray Maynard hopes that the third time is the charm against champion Frankie Edgar with another chance to take his UFC Lightweight title.

UFC 130: Edgar vs. Maynard 3.

Saturday May 28, 2011

MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

UFC President Dana White struggled to find an opponent for Quinton “Rampage” Jackson after Thiago Silva was forced to withdraw, leaving Matt Hammil to take to the octagon to battle the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion in the weeks after the 2011 Kentucky derby betting race.

Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) vs. Gray Maynard (10-0-1)

Edgar was fortunate to earn the split decision draw against Maynard in their first title meeting at UFC 130, and is now 0-1-1 against the challenger heading into this contest. With eight of his 13 wins coming via judge’s decision, Edgar has never shown the level of aggression to put his opponents away early on. The same can be said about Maynard although he did get the win over Edgar at UFC Fight Night back in April, 2008. Look for the challenger to finally get the job done and earn the title.

UFC Betting Pick: Gray Maynard

Quinton Jackson (31-8-0) vs. Matt Hammil (10-2-0)

It was originally rumored that Rashad Evans might step in to replace Silva against Jackson, but the thinking is that Rampage might prefer an opponent he hasn’t lost to as he looks to re-establish himself as a contender for the UFC Light Heavyweight title. Matt Hammil is undefeated in his past five pay per head fights, but is taking a major step up in terms of talent and could be a sitting duck.

UFC Betting Pick: Rampage Jackson

Frank Mir (14-5-0) vs. Roy Nelson (15-5-0)

“Big Country” Nelson will test his merit against a former UFC Heavyweight champion in Mir, and although his heavy hands give him more than a legitimate chance he will be in tough against an opponent that has already proved his self at the highest level. Neither fighter has been consistent in recent years, but Mir is the younger of the two and determined to make another run at the title.

UFC Betting Pick: Frank Mir

Brian Stann (10-3-0) vs. Jorge Santiago (23-8-0)

Santiago will aim to make a successful return to the UFC against a rising star in Stann, who has put together consecutive wins including a knockout decision over Chris Leben the last time that he was in the octagon. Both fighters are known for their submission capabilities, but it is Stann that has faced the tougher online sports book competition in recent months and that should make him more prepared.

UFC Betting Pick: Brian Stann

Stefan Struve (21-4-0) vs. Travis Browne (10-0-1)

The tallest man in the promotion will look to string together a third consecutive win as the 23-year old Struve attempts to end the undefeated run that Browne has put together heading into this contest. Browne fought to a draw with Chieck Kongo in his UFC debut, but will be pressed even harder by a rising star in Struve. At 6’11’’, Struve may actually have projected as a better MLB betting pitcher than mixed martial artist but his ceiling is high and he has continued to impress in the UFC.

UFC Betting Pick: Stefan Struve

NHL Playoff Preview – Eastern Conference Semifinals Game Three: Philadelphia Flyers @ Boston Bruins

2011-05-01T19:18:00.001-07:00

Online Sports Betting Overview

The Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins do not like each other. Well after the online betting for Kentucky Derby favorites is done, these two teams will be hammering away on each other with sticks, fists and body checks. NHL fans remember last year when the Bruins were up three games to none on the Flyers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Just when it looked like the Flyers would go home, Philadelphia roared back and took the next four games in a row. You can bet that the Bruins remember that as well. But the price per head situation is much different this time around, and it favors the Bruins.

Once the dam started to give way for the Bruins in last year’s playoffs, there was no repairing it. Goaltender Tim Thomas was unable to play due to an injury, and young back up Tuukka Rask cracked under the pressure. The Bruins could not force the play in front of the Philly net, and goaltender Michael Leighton was in the best form of his career. This season, Thomas is healthy and one of the best goaltenders in the league. The Bruins are known for crashing the net and camping front of the net to tip shots. Michael Leighton was given a brief try in net in the quarterfinals against the Buffalo Sabres, but he was pulled and sent home. Brian Boucher is the starting goaltender for Philadelphia, and rookie Sergei Bobrovksky has been brought back to be the second goalie. Philadelphia is not nearly as ready for this series as they were last year.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins are big and fast on defense, tricky on offense and solid as a rock in goal. The challenge that the Bruins will face is that they go from playing a smaller and faster team in the Montreal Canadiens, to playing a bigger and more punishing team in the Philadelphia Flyers. Forward Jeff Carter has been fighting a leg injury that he suffered in a collision with Sabres’ defenseman Tyler Myers in the quarterfinals. But players like Chris Pronger, Scott Hartnell and captain Mike Richards help to fill in the size gap for the Flyers. The Bruins have been buoyed by the play of youngsters such as Nathan Horton, who had two game-winning goals in the quarterfinals, and former Ottawa Senator Chris Kelly who has scored three goals in the playoffs. The Bruins will not allow the Flyers any room in this series, and the Flyers will need to respond.

Philadelphia Flyers

The concern for the Flyers in these playoffs, as it was last year, is goaltending. The Flyers cycled through all three goalies in the quarterfinals before finally settling on Brian Boucher. Rookie sensation Sergei Bobrovsky cracked under the pressure, and the Flyers are finding the language barrier between themselves and their rookie goaltender to be a challenge. Last year’s playoff hero Michael Leighton was so bad in the quarterfinals that the Flyers decided to send Leighton home and use Bobrovsky as Boucher’s backup. The problem is that the Philadelphia defense was so effective against the Buffalo Sabres that Boucher was never really tested in the series. The Bruins will crash the net and test Boucher, and his response could determine the series.

The Bottom Line

Game three is always a critical game in any playoff series. The Bruins will try to maintain the momentum they have created, while Philly will keep pushing for a repeat of last year’s miracle comeback. Unfortunately for the Flyers, there are no miracles this year.

Pick: Boston Bruins

NHL Hockey – Canadiens Look To Reward Fans With Win Over Bruins Tuesday

2011-04-24T17:55:00.001-07:00

After watching the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens split the first four games of their best-of-seven series with the road team winning all four games, it is clear that there is no such thing as home ice advantage in this series. But with the rowdy sellout crowds that Montreal has become known for unwilling to give up hope, the Canadiens will look to give their fans a reason to cheer with game six shifting back to the Bell Centre.

Boston Bruins @ Montreal Canadiens

Tuesday April 26, 2011- 7:00 PM ET

Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec

Online Sports Betting Odds: Montreal – 120

The Canadiens have shown tenacity, determination, and heart at the TD Garden with the MLB betting Red Sox struggling just down the street at Fenway, but there may be an element of pressure that comes with playing in front of the home crowd. Boston hadn’t had too much success at the Bell Centre heading into this postseason, but have since turned that around and are undefeated in Montreal through two games.

NHL Betting Preview: Boston Bruins

Perhaps the way that the Bruins fell apart in last year’s series against the Philadelphia Flyers still haunted the team heading into the 2011 postseason, but whatever the reason for their slow start they looked good on Montreal ice. Boston conceded the ability to match lines but in turn showed more determination in puck battles and a willingness to control their aggression. If the Bruins can continue to play with patience they will force the Canadiens into making the first mistake, something that the team has used to its advantage so far in the series. Boston was one of the best road teams in the NHL during the regular season, and that has carried over into the playoffs so far.

NHL Betting Preview: Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens have allowed eight goals in two home playoff games after allowing just one in two wins on the road to open the series, a sign that they have clearly had trouble at their own end at home. Some of that will fall on the shoulders of goaltender Carey Price, who has been shaky in front of the hometown crowd. Price was hurt by the sarcastic jeers of the crowds in last year’s playoffs, and it could be a case where he is still not as confident yet. Montreal’s defense will need to rally around him to prevent as many chances in close, which will be the main key to their success. The Canadiens have showed resiliency before, but now it is time to take back control the way they did in their first two wins.

NHL Betting: Outlook & Pick

The Canadiens were much better at home than they were on the road during the regular season, so it was surprising to see them struggle through the first two home games of the series. Montreal will have to find a way to win at home to have a chance to survive past the Kentucky derby betting, and it may all come down to the confidence of Price in goal.

NHL Betting Pick: Boston Bruins + 120

NHL Playoff Preview – Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 4: Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers

2011-04-17T17:38:00.001-07:00

Online Sports Betting Preview

MLB betting is the furthest thing from the minds of Washington, DC sports fans right now. The NHL news all season long followed the trials and tribulations of the Washington Capitals. Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals became media darlings when HBO followed them around prior to the Winter Classic in 2011. Who knew that Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau had such a potty mouth? But the 5dimes reviews that the Capitals were interested in were of their games and, as the season progressed, the team got much better. Now, as Washington gets ready to enter game four of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, they look to take the next step towards their first Stanley Cup championship.

The New York Rangers are nobody’s fool. The Rangers knew exactly what they were getting with the Washington Capitals but, to this point, the Rangers are having a difficult time exploiting the main weakness of the Capitals. That weakness is rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth. Unless your name is Ken Dryden, being a rookie goaltender in the Stanley Cup playoffs is not a good time. The Capitals went down this road two years ago when Semyon Varlamov was a rookie. The Caps did great until the second round when Varlamov became unraveled. If the Rangers can get some pressure on Neuvirth, they could turn this series around.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals did exactly what everyone expected them to do. They played the Rangers hard, and Alex Ovechkin along with Alexander Semin are scoring big goals. The biggest difference between the Capitals in the playoffs and the Capitals in the regular season is how physical the defense is being. It is extremely difficult for the Rangers to get anyone in front of the Washington net for an extended period of time. The Rangers are able to match the intensity of the Capitals, New York is just having problems putting pressure on Washington’s rookie goaltender. If the Capitals can keep the Rangers away from Neuvirth, then they will win this series.

New York Rangers

The Rangers, as expected, are competitive in this series because of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Lundvist played outstanding in game one, but still lost the game in overtime. The Rangers need to get pressure on Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth. That means crashing the net, getting someone to screen Neuvirth and creating havoc in the Washington end. The Rangers will need to step up the physical play in the offensive zone if they want to take control of this game.

The Bottom Line

The Washington Capitals are heavy favorites to win the Stanley Cup this season. If the Rangers want to put an end to that, then they will have to get more shots on goal and create more turnovers in the neutral zone. But with Ovechkin and Semin in playoff form, it may be very difficult for the Rangers to shut down the Capitals and keep the puck in the Capitals end.

Pick: Washington Capitals

NHL Betting – Canadiens, Ducks Among Teams That Could Surprise In 2011

2011-04-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

With this year’s Sweet 16 locked in for the 2011 NHL playoffs, online sports betting fans have the opportunity to project which of the remaining teams will capture hockey’s ultimate glory this year. While the Presidents trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks and Eastern conference champion Washington Capitals are among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, there are a couple of teams that are more than capable of surprising by making an underdog run. Here is a look at three teams with the potential to be the Cinderella team in this year’s NHL playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens + 3000

The Canadiens surprised everybody a year ago by reaching the Eastern conference finals after clinching the eighth and final playoff spot with an overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in their final regular season game. Montreal came back from down three-to-one in their best-of-seven series with the 2010 Presidents trophy-winning Capitals, then did the same thing against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins the following round. Of course, much of their success had to do with the play of former netminder Jaroslav Halak’s brilliance during that run. Then again, Carey Price has finally started to reach his potential in Montreal, with talk of both possible Hart and Vezina nominations for his play. If the Canadiens can get some scoring from some of their role players and Price can continue his strong play into the NHL postseason, Montreal could surprise.

Anaheim Ducks + 3000

Don’t look now but the Ducks have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the past couple of weeks, and will head into the 2011 playoffs on fire. Ray Emery’s signing with Anaheim has been one of the biggest reasons for Anaheim’s turnaround, earning victories in seven of his nine starts with a solid .926 save percentage. The ageless wonder Teemu Selanne continues to provide secondary scoring behind the top line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan, all big players that can throw their weight around in the postseason. The Ducks’ size could make the pay per head difference in the playoffs, and as long as Emery can stay healthy this team is deep enough to make some noise. Lubomir Visnovsky is a legitimate Norris trophy candidate that has plenty of upside, and is one of the biggest reasons why Anaheim has had such a strong powerplay all year.

Buffalo Sabres + 3000

The Sabres had clinched a point in nine of their previous 10 games entering the final weekend of the regular season, and with Ryan Miller between the pipes they can never be counted out. Thomas Vanek has bounced back with another 30-goal season to lead the team in both tallies and points, and if players such as Drew Stafford and Jason Pominville can continue to provide offense in the playoffs, Buffalo could make a run. Everything will come down to Miller though, but after watching the way that he took Team USA on his back in the Vancouver Olympics on the road to a silver medal, there is little doubt that he is up to the sports betting bonus task.

NHL Game Preview for Wednesday April 6, 2011: Detroit Red Wings @ Carolina Hurricanes

2011-04-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

Online Sports Betting Overview

The 2011 March Madness betting is almost over, and so is the NHL season. It looks like some spots in the NHL standings will not be decided until the last game is played. For example, the Carolina Hurricanes have been trailing the Buffalo Sabres by three points for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference for a couple of weeks now. Both teams are playing extremely well, and that playoff battle will probably go right down to the last game of the season for both teams.

The Detroit Red Wings hit a bit of a snare on their way to securing second place overall in the Western Conference. Starting goaltender Jimmy Howard got hurt and back-up Chris Osgood is still unable to play. That means that the Red Wings are pretty much trying anything they can to put a good goalie between the pipes while Howard is out. The result was a 10-3 loss to the lowly St. Louis Blues . . . in Detroit. Needless to say, the Red Wings are in a holding pattern until Howard gets back. That is not a good way to end a season and try to roll into the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes

When the Buffalo Sabres started their winning streak, the Hurricanes could have very easily rolled over and gave up. But in a most recent 10 game stretch, the Hurricanes went 6-4-0 and that includes a two-game winning streak. That is almost matching the Sabres’ progress game for game. The problem is that the Canes need to exceed the Sabres’ progress in order to grab that last playoff spot. With the Sabres facing a tough weekend test against the Washington Capitals, the Hurricanes have a chance to close the gap. The best part for the Hurricanes is that they play the Sabres the day after the Sabres play the Capitals. That means that this game against the Red Wings could be an attempt by Carolina to put some distance between themselves and Buffalo.

Detroit Red Wings

There is nothing Detroit hockey fans can do about their broken Wings until Jimmy Howard returns. The shocking thing to everyone in the hockey world was how poorly the Detroit defense played after Howard was hurt. It shows just how much the defense leans on Howard and how the aggressive play of the Red Wings relies on Howard being in the net. Detroit is 5-3-2 in the last 10 games, and they will have to wait until at least the end of this week to find out what Howard’s status is. The hope is to have Howard back in time to play the last one or two regular season games and get him ready for the playoffs. The chances that Howard will play this game are very slim.

The Bottom Line

A reeling Detroit team will probably be no match for a determined Carolina team. It is expected that the Red Wings will pick up their defensive play in this game, but judging by the way the third and fourth string goalies have played, a better defense may not matter.

Pick: Carolina Hurricanes

NHL Hockey - Maple Leafs, Sabres Clash With Major Playoff Implications On The Line Tuesday

2011-03-27T18:24:00.001-07:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs have battled all the way back from the depths of the Eastern conference to pull within striking range of the eighth and final playoff spot, and will have the chance to close that gap even further when they clash with the team that is currently occupying that seed on Tuesday. Toronto will host the Buffalo Sabres at the Air Canada Centre in a game that could very well seal their fate, as a loss combined with one fewer game remaining on the schedule could mean the end.

Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs

Tuesday March 29, 2011 – 7:00 PM ET

Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Online Sports Betting Odds: Maple Leafs – 120

One of the biggest reasons that the Maple Leafs are still alive is that the Sabres have been so inconsistent down the stretch. Buffalo has not registered a winning streak of at least three games since early February, spoiling plenty of opportunities to distance themselves from those on the outside looking in.

NHL Betting Preview: Sabres

This team will go only as far as Ryan Miller will take them, as the reigning Vezina trophy winner continues to find his form in 2011. Miller’s struggles were understandable coming off a year in which he stood on his head for both Buffalo and Team USA en route to a Silver Medal at the Vancouver Olympics, but as the year has progressed he has looked more and more solid. Defense has actually been the team’s Achilles heel this season, with their offense scoring an average of close to three goals per game, which is the seventh-best mark in the league. Thomas Vanek has paced the Sabres with over 60 points, and will need to be at his best when it counts the most down the stretch.

NHL Betting Preview: Maple Leafs

Toronto was considered out of the running to return to the playoffs as early as late November, but a second-half surge has them within reach of getting into the Elite Eight. The biggest reason for that is rookie goaltender James Reimer, whose save percentage ranks in the top-five in the NHL. Reimer has provided the consistent play that the team needed to grow more confident on the attack, and the Maple Leafs have responded with their recent rise. Toronto has three scorers on pace to hit the 30-goal mark with Phil Kessel, Mikhail Grabovski, and Nikolai Kulemin leading the sports betting bonus offense.

NHL Betting: Matchup & Pick

This team has underachieved for far too long not to finally rise to the occasion with their season on the line, especially considering how they have come together to pull within reach of a playoff spot. Reimer will shine against a Buffalo team that has had trouble getting their offense going of late, while the Maple Leafs’ special teams will finally break through after looking better the past couple of sports betting weeks.

NHL Betting Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs - 120

NHL Game Preview for Wednesday March 23, 2011: Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars

2011-03-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

Online Sports Betting Overview

As NHL teams start to approach the single digits in games remaining, the playoff battles are getting intense. As 2011 March Madness betting continues, six teams in the Western Conference are within four points of each other. The last four playoff spots in the conference are still up for grabs, and the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars are right in the middle of the action. The NHL standings in the Western Conference are about as tight as they can get, and that makes for some very good hockey down the stretch.

The Dallas Stars hold on to sixth place in the Western Conference and the Anaheim Ducks are sitting in 10^th. But the Ducks only trail the Stars by three points, and a win in this game will make things very interesting for both teams as they head down the final stretch of the season. The Stars have had some problems as of late with their goaltending, and the Anaheim Ducks are looking to take advantage of that.

Dallas Stars

The Stars had hit a rough patch of road not too long ago, but in the last 10 games the Stars are 6-2-2. They are trailing the fourth place Phoenix Coyotes by only three points, and the Stars have a game at hand over Phoenix. The Stars have an excellent home record of 20-11-6 and have pushed their goal differential to +2. The Stars are still showing confidence in goalie Kari Lehtonen, but Lehtonen’s results have been all over the map. In his last five games, Lehtonen is 2-2-1. His two wins were both shutouts with one of those shutouts coming against the Chicago Blackhawks. However, in his two losses he gave up a total of seven goals. If the Stars can get a bit more consistency from Lehtonen, then they have a good shot at maintaining their place in the playoffs.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have gone 6-3-1 in the last ten games and are only two points out of a playoff spot. They are an average road team with a 16-15-3 road record, and their goal differential has dropped to -6. The biggest blow to the Ducks and their playoff chances was the injury to starting goaltender Jonas Hiller. Hiller was one of the main reasons why the Ducks were able to mount a charge towards a playoff spot. With Hiller out injured, the Ducks have turned to veteran goalie Ray Emery. No one was really sure how Emery would perform after being out of the NHL for over a year, but in his first game back Emery only allowed one goal in a win over the St. Louis Blues. This game will be a significantly different test for Emery, and the Ducks need Emery to start passing these tests if they are going to make the playoffs.

The Bottom Line

There are questions in Dallas about the ability of the offense to score and the consistency of the goaltending, but there are even bigger questions in Anaheim. Ray Emery was run out of the NHL a year ago for his attitude and poor performance. Maybe the Ducks see a new Emery that can help the team, but it may be a case of too little too late for an Anaheim team that is scratching for every point in the standings.

Pick: Dallas Stars

NHL Hockey – Cup Contenders Square Off In Hockeytown

2011-03-13T18:07:00.001-07:00

While 2011 March Madness betting players will be getting ready to make their picks for the NCAA Tournament, which starts on Thursday, two Stanley Cup contenders will be staging a big NHL betting matchup in Detroit, where the Red Wings will host Washington. The stretch run is here, and these two are trying to improve their position in the NHL standings, and both are out to prove that they have what it takes to go all the way in a possible Cup preview.

Capitals Red Wings Betting – Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET

The Capitals had won six in a row heading into Friday’s visit from Carolina, and they are now second in the East NHL standings. This is a crucial stretch for the Capitals, who will then host Chicago on Sunday, before heading to Montreal on Tuesday, and this kicks off a six-game road trip in which Washington can establish themselves as a force and possibly overtake Philadelphia for the top spot. As of Friday, Alex Ovechkin had 12 goals and 25 assists away from home, and the Capitals will need him to be at his best on Wednesday.

The Red Wings were struggling heading into Friday’s visit from Edmonton as they had lost four in a row, although they were wrapping up a road trip through the West. The Red Wings then play in St. Louis on Saturday night, and have three full days to rest before the Capitals come to town. You shouldn’t read too much into this current slump for the Red Wings, who have enough veteran players to get through it before the postseason, but it’s not a good sign that the Red Wings, who are first in the league in goals scored, have scored one goal in three of those four games.

Your pay per head sportsbook should favor the Red Wings at home, as they are 4-1 SU in their last five meetings with the Capitals at Joe Louis Arena, with three of those games going under the posted total. This is the first meeting of the season for these two, and they appear to be headed in opposite directions, but we’re going with the Red Wings to snap out of it at home. Washington have a tough game at Montreal on Tuesday, while Detroit should be rested and they have a few days to work on their offensive struggles. The Red Wings are trying to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the West, although they likely won’t catch up to Vancouver, but as we said, they have enough veterans on the team to shake the squad out of their recent slump. Go with Detroit when betting online on Wednesday.

NHL Game Preview for Wednesday March 9, 2011: Atlanta Thrashers @ Carolina Hurricanes

2011-03-06T16:53:00.001-08:00

Online Sports Betting Overview

This is it for the Atlanta Thrashers. Their attendance is plummeting along with their playoff chances. While many in Atlanta are betting on March Madness, Thrashers fans are praying that the team can put together some kind of winning streak and get back into the race for the Eastern Conference playoffs. But with the NHL trade deadline come and gone, this is the last gasp for teams like Atlanta. The betting services know that any more losing streaks and that is it for the Thrashers and their playoff chances.

The Carolina Hurricanes are suddenly finding themselves winning important games. While a regulation win would have been nice over the Buffalo Sabres, the Canes will take the overtime win that put them into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. A couple of more wins in a row and the Hurricanes can put the battle for the eighth and final playoff spot behind them and leave that for the Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers.

Atlanta Thrashers

It is very simple for the Atlanta Thrashers. The team sits in 11^th place in the Eastern Conference, seven points out of a playoff spot. The 12^th place New Jersey Devils only trail the Thrashers by three points, and the Devils are putting together amazing winning streaks lately. If the Thrashers switch spots with the Devils, then the Thrashers are pretty much done for the year. In the last 10 games, the Thrashers are 2-7-1 and riding a two-game losing streak. Those are not the numbers of a team that is trying to contend for a playoff spot.

Carolina Hurricanes

It has taken some time, but the Carolina Hurricanes are finally healthy and moving up in the playoff race for the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes are 5-3-2 in the last 10 games and riding a two-game winning streak. They are winning key games such as the recent win over the Buffalo Sabres. Now that the Hurricanes are winning, they have their sights set on the sixth place Montreal Canadiens who are only six points in front of Carolina. Goalie Cam Ward is 3-1-1 his last five games and he has 28 wins on the season. Considering how the Hurricanes started the season, the fact that Ward could finish in the mid-30’ with wins is pretty amazing. The Hurricanes just need to keep rolling in order to put some distance between themselves and eighth place.

The Bottom Line

For a while it did look like the Thrashers were going to be a factor in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Some offseason moves, such as obtaining Dustin Byfuglein from the Chicago Blackhawks, looked to make a good team even better. But injuries and bad goaltending have clipped the Thrashers season. The Hurricanes are on too much of a roll for the Thrashers to be able to stop them at this point. This may be a close game, but it may also be Atlanta’s swan song.

Pick: Carolina Hurricanes

NHL Hockey –Blackhawks Host Flames In Massive West Clash

2011-02-27T17:23:00.001-08:00

Even those betting on March Madness odds have to be impressed by what is going down in the NHL’s Western Conference. As of Friday, third place is separated by eight points from 10^th place and there are five teams sitting on 70 points. Two of those teams will meet next Wednesday in Chicago, where the Blackhawks will host Calgary, and you could say it’s a must-win game for both teams.

Blackhawks Flames Betting – Wednesday, March 3^rd, 9:00 PM ET

The Flames will wrap up a five-game homestand this weekend with visits from San Jose and St. Louis, who they will then visit on Tuesday, and they will have a record of 6-2-2 in their last 10 before the Sharks come to town on Friday. People figured that the Flames would one of the bigger sellers at the 2011 NHL trade deadline, but that was before they got blazing hot. Now, the Flames may look to add a couple of pieces in order to strengthen their team for a playoff run, so watch Calgary very closely. Many didn’t even expect them to be this close.

The Blackhawks will host Phoenix on Sunday before heading to Minnesota on Monday, and they’ve won three in a row heading into the weekend to put themselves back inside the postseason picture. There was always going to be some inconsistencies when it comes to the Blackhawks, who lost a lot of players from the team that won the Stanley Cup last season, and that’s basically been their MO during this campaign. Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane and captain Jonathan Toews have kept the team afloat, and goalie Corey Crawford has played as well as could be expected in his first full season as an NHL starter. But now, the Blackhawks are going to have to keep their foot on the pedal from now until the end of the season.

In this huge game in regards to the NHL standings, the Blackhawks should be the home favorites in this contest, where they have won eight in a row over the Flames, and five of those games have gone over the posted total. Calgary captain Jarome Iginla has four goals and five points in three games against the Blackhawks, while Toews and Brent Seabrook have three points apiece for Chicago. We’re going to give the edge to the Blackhawks as the Flames will play the night before, and Chicago should try to jump out to a good start after having a day off. The Blackhawks will also need a big performance from the pairing of reigning Norris winner Duncan Keith and Seabrook, who will likely go against the Iginla line. Lay a sports bet on Chicago on Wednesday.

NHL Basketball – California Rivals Face Off In Anaheim

2011-02-20T17:15:00.001-08:00

Those who bet on NCAA basketball will tell you that state rivalry games are often heated and crucial to a team’s success, and the same holds true in the NHL, where a pair of California teams will clash on Wednesday. Los Angeles has surged into the playoff picture, and as of Friday they were tied with Anaheim on 68 points, which is huge before the two head into the weekend. They’ll go head-to-head on Friday.

Kings Ducks Betting – Wednesday, 10:00 PM ET

The Kings will be in Long Island to face the Islanders on Saturday, and they will be coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Rangers on Thursday night, their first loss in four games. Dustin Brown led the way with a pair of goals, while Jonathan Bernier stopped 34 shots in regulation for the Kings, who were outshot 37-28, including 5-1 in the overtime period. The Kings may be looking to make some moves to fuel their run at the postseason as the 2011 NHL trade deadline approaches, but they may want to stand pat with the team that has gotten to this point so far, so it’ll be interesting to see how active they are.

The Ducks have a busy weekend ahead as they will be in Minnesota on Friday and St. Louis on Saturday, but they had a whale of a game on Wednesday as they fell 7-6 at home to Washington. Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and three assists for the Ducks, while Curtis McElhinney stopped 24 of 31 shots for Anaheim, who will be without Jonas Hiller for the next little while because of lightheaded symptoms. McElhinney has given up 14 goals in three games ahead of the Ducks’ trip to the Midwest, and he’ll have to improve to keep Anaheim in the playoff picture.

It’s tough to say who will be favored by your pay per head sportsbook in this contest, as the Ducks are 2-3 SU in their last five at home against the Kings, who will be wrapping up a 10-game road trip and they’ll be eager to get back to the West Coast. Four of their meetings with the Ducks in Anaheim have gone over the posted total, and given McElhinney’s performance in recent games, combined with the weekend visit to the Midwest, it could very well go over once again. It’s tough to pin a team’s hope on one player, but the Ducks just aren’t the same team without Hiller in goal, and their only hope is to simply outscore the Kings, who have been locking teams down on defense. We’re taking the Kings to win on the road in your sports online betting picks on Wednesday.

NHL Basketball – Thomas Looking For Second Vezina Trophy

2011-02-13T16:46:00.001-08:00

NCAA basketball betting players know that defense will take you a long way in the Tournament, and in hockey, the best defense starts with a great goaltender. Here is a look at the top candidates for the Vezina Trophy.

Tim Thomas, Boston

Thomas won the Vezina after the 2008-09 season, and the 36-year-old has been on fire this season as he currently leads the league in goals against and save percentage. It helps that he has one of the best defensemen in the NHL, Zdeno Chara, in front of him, but Thomas has been brilliant for a team that has allowed the fewest goals in the league.

Pekka Rinne, Nashville

The Predators are quietly making their way up the NHL standings, largely in part because of Rinne, who is second to Thomas in goals against and save percentage. Rinne is very good in the shootout, and to be honest, the Predators probably won’t even be in the playoff hunt if not for Rinne as they sit in the bottom third of the league in goals scored.

Carey Price, Montreal

At last year’s trade deadline NHL betting players figured Price, who wasn’t received well by the rabid Montreal fans, would be shipped out. But nothing happened, and at the end of the year it was playoff hero Jaroslav Halak who was let go, causing Montreal sports talk radio to go crazy. But Price has really stepped up this year, and even though his numbers aren’t as impressive as some others (11^th in goals against, 15^th in save percentage), Price is playing extremely well in arguably the most pressure-packed market in the league.

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver

Luongo has played incredibly well since giving up the captaincy after last year, alleviating some of the pressure from his shoulders. Luongo is fourth in save percentage and sixth in goals against for the best team in the NHL, and we think playing for Canada in last year’s Olympics really gave him a taste of playing in big games. Sure, he didn’t play well in the playoffs last season, but Luongo looked exhausted by the end of it. Now, the Canucks are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

This depends on whether or not the Rangers make the playoffs, but if they don’t, it won’t be due to “King Henrik”, who is eighth in save percentage and ninth in goals against. Lundqvist is on his way to his sixth season of 30 wins or more, and even though he has been in a bit of a funk as of late, it’s only a matter of time before he snaps out of it because quite frankly, the Rangers’ online sports betting odds depend on it.

NHL Trade Deadline Update: Players On The Move In The NHL

2011-02-06T17:28:00.000-08:00

The NHL trade deadline is February 28, 2011, and sports betting experts know that moves made at the deadline can make or break a team. While some in the sports world are talking about NFL betting lines and Super Bowl XLV betting, others are focused on how potential moves in the next few weeks could affect the NHL standings. Here are some players that may be on the move by the NHL trade deadline.

Tomas Vokoun

The Florida Panthers are trying to survive financially, and even though their team is closing in on a playoff spot they may be willing to move starting goaltender Tomas Vokoun. It could also be said that Vokoun has not exactly lived up to his contract value this year. But Vokoun also has a no-trade clause to his contract that could make any movement difficult. He may be willing to waive that to move to a legitimate playoff contender. Some playoff teams in need of goaltending are the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars.

Tomas Kaberle

Kaberle has been a part of trade rumors for two years now, but he has insisted that he has no plans on leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also has a no-trade clause in his contract, but the Leafs are trying to move on in a different direction from Kaberle. But if the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals or Philadelphia Flyers showed interest then Kaberle may want to move. The Leafs are not going to make the playoffs again this year, and they feel that if they want to start building a playoff team then they need to move to younger talent. There is a reason why Kaberle has been the subject if trade rumors and why the Leafs do not move to squash those rumors.

Alexei Kovalev

The 38-year-old Kovalev will not see any contact extensions from the Ottawa Senators prior to his UFA date of July 1, 2011. The Sens will want to get something for their troubles with Kovalev so, rather than allow him to leave as a free agent, they may try to trade him as a rental player to a playoff team for the remainder of the season. He has a no-trade clause in his contract, but the Senators do not show any signs of making the playoffs so Kovalev may move. Teams that may be interested in Kovalev include the Buffalo Sabres (if they are challenging for the playoffs), Boston Bruins and Atlanta Thrashers.

Brad Richards

The only reason Brad Richards comes up as a trade candidate is because his contract is up July 1 and he may not want to re-sign with the Dallas Stars. But this is a tough one because Richards has a no-trade clause in his contract and has not yet said that he wants to leave the Stars. But if the Stars continue to fall and start inching their way out of the playoff race, then Richards may start changing his mind. This is a tough one, but the Stars know that every single NHL team would be interested in talking about a trade for Brad Richards.

NHL Betting – Best Picks For Offensive Player Of The Year

2011-01-30T19:10:00.000-08:00

While Super Bowl betting players may be looking out for the best defense in next week’s game, they also know you must have a good offense, and it’s the same in the NHL. We’re going to take a look at the top five offensive players in the league, and these five will likely be in the running for the Art Ross (most points) and Maurice “Rocket” Richard (most goals) trophies at season’s end.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh

The fact that Crosby is one point in the scoring race going into the All-Star break despite missing most of January with a concussion tells you what kind of season he was having. Crosby has cemented his place as the world’s best player, and we’re not sure if he can sustain the pace he was going at before his injury, but he doesn’t have to. An average Crosby would be near the top of the scoring charts.

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay

Stamkos has supplanted Washington’s Alex Ovechkin as the game’s best pure sniper, and he also leads the league in scoring now that Crosby is on the shelf. Those checking NHL standings may be surprised to see the Lightning near the top of the East, but Tampa Bay has a great young nucleus, and it all starts with Stamkos, who shared the Richard Trophy with Crosby last season.

Daniel Sedin, Vancouver

Daniel is definitely the goal-scorer between he and his brother Henrik, and one can only wonder what his numbers would have been like if he wasn’t injured last season. Daniel has roared back with a vengeance and is a major factor in the Canucks’ brilliant first half, and he could end up succeeding his brother as the league MVP.

Henrik Sedin, Vancouver

Although Henrik will still have a say in that: he is only three points behind his brother in scoring and he leads the NHL in assists. He looks more comfortable with Daniel back in the lineup, which is scary for the rest of the league, and we can’t see Henrik taking a step backwards in the second half of the season. The connection that they have on the ice is just insane.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay

St. Louis could end up overtaking Henrik for the assists lead if Stamkos continues to put them away. You wouldn’t know for a second that St. Louis is 35 years old, as he still has great wheels, and his vision is up there with the top players in the game. He is a longshot when it comes to the major awards that will be handed out at the end of the season, but if Tampa Bay continues to win, St. Louis is definitely worth a sports bet.

NHL Game Preview For After The All-Star Game

2011-01-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

The online sports bet workers will be buried in Superbowl betting for the next two weeks. NHL scores are on hold until after the All-Star break. But once the All-Star weekend is over, every NHL team will resume its quest to improve its place in the NHL standings heading towards the trade deadline and then the playoffs. Here is a preview of the first set of games to take place after the All-Star break.

Tuesday, February 1, 7:00PM – Florida Panthers @ Toronto Maple Leafs

The Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs have been languishing in the Eastern Conference cellar all season long. The Leafs showed incredible promise in the first 10 to 15 games of the season by jumping out to a lead in the Northeast Division. The Panthers have been toying with winning streaks all season that seem to fade out after three games.

But the Panthers sit only eight points out of a playoff spot and, between the Panthers and the Leafs, it is the Panthers that have the best chance at making the playoffs. Panther goalie Thomas Vokun has been under siege all season long. If the defense can start clearing their own zone on a consistent basis, then the Panthers have a chance at putting some much-needed wins together.

Pick: Florida Panthers

Tuesday, February 1, 7:00PM – Ottawa Senators @ New Jersey Devils

Why do the Devils keep firing head coach Jacques Lemaire? In their last 10 games, all under Lemaire, the Devils are 6-3-1. They are playing some of the best hockey in the Eastern Conference, and future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur looks like his old self again. The Devils are a full 22 points out of a playoff spot and will probably not make the big dance this year. But, if New Jersey is smart, Lemaire will be behind the Devils’ bench at the start of next season.

Things are so bad in Ottawa that there are rumors of Daniel Alfredsson being traded by the trade deadline. The Senators are 1-6-3 in their last 10 games, and they have no hope of being able to generate the momentum needed to make the playoffs. If Jacques Lemaire gets fired by New Jersey again, maybe Ottawa should think about picking him up.

Pick: New Jersey Devils

Tuesday, February 1, 7:30PM – Philadelphia Flyers @ Tampa Bay Lightning

How good is the Tampa Bay Lightning? We will find out when Tampa plays the Philadelphia Flyers immediately following the All-Star break. Tampa Bay leads the Washington Capitals by four points in the Southeast Division, and trail the Flyers by four points for top spot in the Eastern Conference. Tampa is on a five-game winning streak that will be rudely interrupted by the All-Star break. Lightning fans hope that the team can keep the momentum rolling after the break is over.

The Flyers are on a two-game winning streak, but the team has also won eight of its last 10 games. The Flyers score a lot, hit hard and have great goaltending. This will be the biggest test the Lightning have had in a while.

Pick: Philadelphia Flyers

NHL Weekend Game Preview

2011-01-23T16:39:00.001-08:00

The sports wagering sites are gearing up for a busy weekend. Many sports fans will be betting on NFL championship games, while others will be betting on the NHL scores of their favorite teams. A quick preview of this weekend’s NHL hockey scores can help betting enthusiasts make the right picks and put the games in perspective.

Saturday – Boston Bruins @ Colorado Avalanche

When the Boston Bruins lost to the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the week, Boston head coach Claude Julien glossed right over crediting the Sabres with their play and instantly laid into his own team. That is the kind of drive that has kept the Bruins at the top of the Northeast Division all season long. The Bruins are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, but they are in a tight race with the Montreal Canadiens for the lead in the Northeast Division. Losing a divisional game did not sit well with Julien, and he will make his players respond in this game against Colorado.

The Colorado Avalanche have been up and down in the standings all season long. Right now, the Avalanche sit in second place in the Northwest Division with a significant margin between the Avs and first place Vancouver. But the Avalanche are in one of the valleys of their season-long roller coaster. Colorado has won only four of its last 10 games, and the team is not playing well as a whole. This game is between two teams that have each lost their most recent game. It should be interesting, but the Bruins may make it very boring.

Pick: Boston Bruins

Saturday – Anaheim Ducks @ Montreal Canadiens

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks are moving in the right direction. In their last 10 games, the Ducks are 7-3-0. The only problem for Anaheim is that their road record is an abysmal 9-13-3. The Ducks are right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race in sixth place, but they will need to start winning on the road if they want to contend in the post-season.

The Canadiens have won six of their last 10 games, and two of their losses were in overtime. Montreal is an impressive 16-6-3 at home, and with Carey Price out of his slump it could be a long day for the Ducks. The Canadiens are also getting some scoring from their defensemen, which will open up the ice even more for the high-flying Montreal forwards.

Pick: Montreal Canadiens

Sunday – Nashville Predators @ Edmonton Oilers

What has happened to the Edmonton Oilers? Steve Tambellini has been the general manager for over two years now, and so far nothing has changed. The Oilers are 2-8-0 in their last 10 games and only have 14 wins all season. They are on a four-game losing streak and continue to hold up the basement of the Western Conference.

The Nashville Predators are the exact opposite of the Oilers. In their last 10 games, the Predators are 8-2-0. They are 15-11-1 on the road, and are currently on a two-game winning streak. The Predators are slowly sneaking up on the Detroit Red Wings for first place in the Central Division, and this game against the Oilers will help.

Pick: Nashville Predators

NHL Betting – Lidstrom, Byfuglien Lead Norris Trophy Candidates

2011-01-16T16:48:00.001-08:00

Super Bowl betting players know how important defense is, and the same holds true in the NHL, where the Norris Trophy is awarded to the best defenseman in the league. Here are the favorites as we head towards the All-Star break.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit

The six-time Norris winner would be the NFL betting equivalent of Baltimore’s Ray Lewis, but with even more hardware than the Ravens’ great linebacker. After an off-season by his standards, Lidstrom is back, tied for the lead in points, while logging almost 24 minutes a game. Did we mention he’ll be 40 in April?

Dustin Byfuglien, Atlanta

Everyone thought Byfuglien would suffer after moving from Chicago to Atlanta, and then the Thrashers made him a defenseman perfectly after he played on the wing with the Cup-winning Blackhawks. Byfuglien has thrived with the Thrashers, tied with Lidstrom in points, he has a better plus/minus than Lidstrom, and he’s a massive (literally and figuratively) factor in Atlanta’s surprising season.

Kris Letang, Pittsburgh

Letang has been a serviceable defenseman for the Penguins, but this is truly a breakout season for the 23-year-old, who is one point behind the scoring leaders, and he has a remarkable +20. Letang has done well with the extra responsibility after the Penguins let veteran Sergei Gonchar walk, and the fact that he’s only 23 years means that he could have a few of these trophies in his future.

Andrej Meszaros, Philadelphia

Meszaros has been a beast for the Flyers, who now know they have a replacement for Chris Pronger when the big defenseman finally hangs them up (or heads somewhere else). Meszaros leads the NHL in plus/minus, and even though his offensive numbers aren’t the greatest, he’s not asked to put up a lot of points for the Flyers, meaning he doesn’t spend that much time on the power play. He likely won’t win, but the25-year-old Meszaros will help the Flyers stay near the top of the NHL standings.

Zdeno Chara, Boston

The 2009 Norris winner gets the nod over Anaheim’s Lubormir Visnovsky because the Ducks are in last place in their division, and you have to give some love to a player on the team that has allowed the fewest goals in the league. Chara’s offensive numbers are down a bit, but he’s +17 on the season, and he’s third in the league in ice time for defensemen. Chara is also no spring chicken at 33 years old (34 in March), but he still moves very well for his 6’9” frame, and with his long stick, he’s a handful for any offensive players trying to get into the Boston zone. His presence always gives the Bruins a chance at online betting sites.

NHL Game Preview: A Look At The Key Games This Weekend

2011-01-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

The best online sportsbook enthusiasts that the NHL season really starts to pick up steam once the NFL betting is over. Now that the Super Bowl betting lines are being solidified as the NFL moves closer to its big weekend in February, the NHL standings are starting to shift and change as teams try to get in a good position before the All-Star break.

This coming weekend features several key games in the Western Conference. The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks try to climb closer to a playoff spot as the Anaheim Ducks look to keep their momentum going. The Eastern Conference has some non-divisional games that are of interest to fans and the betting world as well.

Saturday – Chicago Blackhawks @ Nashville Predators

The Blackhawks are on a three-game winning streak that has put them in a tie for the seventh playoff spot in the Western Conference. But what is more interesting is that Chicago trails the Nashville Predators by one point in the Central Division standings. That makes this game a battle for second place in the Central Division. The Blackhawks come in riding a wave of momentum, but they still have questions in goal and Chicago is not even close to playing at the level of the Predators.

The Predators have won six games in a row after losing four consecutive games. The Predators turn around is mostly in part to the goaltending of Pekka Rinne. In his last five starts, Rinne is 5-0 and has only allowed one goal per game. That kind of play will be difficult for the Blackhawks to overcome.

Pick: Nashville Predators

Saturday – Anaheim Ducks @ Phoenix Coyotes

The Anaheim Ducks have slowly moved their way up to second place in the Pacific Division. They are only one point ahead of the Coyotes, who have also started a mid-season climb in the standings. The Ducks have won seven of their last 10 games and that includes a three-game winning streak. Goaltender Jonas Hiller is 4-1 in his last five games, and that includes back-to-back shutouts. But he allowed four goals in his last start, and he has shown signs of inconsistency this season.

The Coyotes are on a two-game winning streak after losing at home to the Buffalo Sabres. The Coyotes are having problems on defense, but they are still getting solid goaltending from Ilya Bryzgalov, and that has allowed the Coyotes to stay in games they may have otherwise been blown out of.

Pick: Phoenix Coyotes

Sunday – Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Rangers

The Flyers have been able to maintain the momentum they started in the playoffs last year, thanks mostly to a surprise goaltending find. Rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and veteran goalie Brian Boucher are making a formidable tandem in Philly. When you add scoring punch from Jeff Carter and Danny Briere into the mix, you get a Philly team that is tough to beat.

The Rangers are surprise this season. The team did not make many changes from last year, and they retained hot-headed head coach John Tortorella. It looks like some of that magic Tortorella whipped up in Tampa Bay a few years ago when the Lightning won the Cup is starting to brew in New York. The Rangers have won five of their last 10 games and are getting great goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist. This will be a fun game to watch, and a physical game as well.

Pick: New York Rangers

NHL Betting: Teams To Watch

2011-01-09T17:45:00.000-08:00

The sports online betting for NHL hockey is getting interesting as teams that had previously been out of the playoff picture suddenly find themselves climbing back into it. The NFL betting lines are all pointing towards Super Bowl betting, but the NHL standings are getting fun to watch. Here are five NHL teams that started out slow this season, but may be worth watching as we head towards the all-star break.

Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres started the month of January 10 points out of a playoff spot and three games below .500. Right now, after getting the first three out of four points on a western road trip, the Sabres are 17-18-5. Head coach Lindy Ruff just won his 500^th game as the Sabres coach with the team’s 3-0 blanking of the San Jose Sharks. Ryan Miller has been picking up his game and the forwards are starting to find the back of the net. The Sabres may not be Cup contenders just yet, but if ownership changes happen before the trade deadline then you may see some moves that could make the Sabres very dangerous.
Carolina Hurricanes
No one really knew what to expect from the Carolina Hurricanes this season and when the season started, the Hurricanes were a mild storm at best. In their last 10 games Carolina has gone 5-3-2 and is only five points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Goalie Cam Ward is 3-2 in his last five games, but both of the losses were in overtime. The Hurricanes are currently riding a five-game undefeated in regulation streak that is putting them within striking distance of the playoffs.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks looked like they were well out of the playoff picture only a month into the season. Anaheim was dwelling in the basement of the Pacific Division and showing no signs of making a move. In their last 10 games the Ducks have gone 5-5-0, but what is more impressive is the fact that in the last 20 games the Ducks have climbed to a tie with the Phoenix Coyotes and St. Louis Blues for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes came on as one of the premier teams in the Western Conference after the trade deadline last season. But when the 2010-2011 campaign started, the Coyotes were no where to be found. They were stringing together streaks of three and four losses with very little offense and a defense that was leaving Ilya Bryzgalov on his own in net. In their last 10 games the Coyotes are 5-4-1 and that includes a two-game winning streak. They are tied with St. Louis and Anaheim for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and they are looking to make more moves up the conference ladder before the all-star break.
Minnesota Wild
The NHL can be a league of winning streaks and losing streaks. The Minnesota Wild have experienced both this season. The Wild had always been in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference, but in their last 10 games they have gone 7-2-1 and that includes a three-game winning streak. Minnesota is only one point out of a playoff spot and making their move up the standings.

A Preview of The First Games of the New Year in the NHL

2011-01-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

Once the New Year’s weekend is over, it is back to work for the NHL. The online betting sites will be busy with NHL action on New Year’s Day, but then the league goes into a bit of a lull until the beginning of the week. Then we hit that stretch where the NFL betting slows down, and the NHL playoffs start to come into a little better focus. A preview of the NHL scores from this coming week will give fans an idea of how the NHL standings may look as we head into the all-star break.

Monday – Florida Panthers @ Carolina Hurricanes

These two teams are constantly climbing over each other to try and get out of the Southeast Division basement. The Florida Panthers looked like a lost cause earlier in the season. But Florida has won six of its last 10 games, and has pulled their goal differential up to a +4. The Panthers are playing excellent defense and getting steady goaltending from Thomas Vokun. If the Panthers can keep it together between now and the all-star break, then they could be challenging for a playoff spot.

The Carolina Hurricanes had such high expectations this season. After last year’s injury-riddled disappointment, the Canes came into this season expecting to make the playoffs. But injuries and a lack of scoring punch have set Carolina back to the bottom of the division. The Hurricanes have also won six of their last 10 games, but that also includes a two-game winning streak. Look for the Canes to keep the winning going after the New Year holiday.

Pick: Carolina Hurricanes

Monday – Chicago Blackhawks @ Los Angeles Kings
Anyone that watched the NHL playoffs last season should not be surprised at the success the Los Angeles Kings are having this season. Scoring maching Anze Kopitar and goaltending sensation Jonathan Quick are spearheading a playoff movement in L.A. The Kings are currently riding a two-game losing streak that has helped to knock them out of first place in the Pacific Division. But they have the talent to bring it together and get back on the winning track.

The Chicago Blackhawks are a shell of the team they were last season. The team allowed their Stanley Cup winning goaltender to leave at the end of last season, and then replaced him with the Dallas Stars’ former goaltender Marty Turco. Turco’s history of inconsistency and playoff disappointment made him an unusual choice for the defending Cup champions. The Blackhawks are hovering in the middle of the Central Division, and they need to start making a move soon if they are going to challenge the Red Wings for the divisional title.

Pick: Los Angeles Kings

Monday – Boston Bruins @ Toronto Maple Leafs

Waffles will be flying as the Bruins invade the Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Maple Leafs. It really looked like the Leafs had it together at the beginning of the season, but then the goaltending fell apart and the injuries set it. Now Toronto sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and the fans, in disgust, now throw waffles at the Toronto players.

The Bruins have the best goalie in the league in Tim Thomas, and have one of the more athletic set of forwards in the league. What really makes the Bruins go is their big and physical defense. Headed by team captain Zdeno Chara, the Boston defense can move the puck up and down the ice as well as clear the front of their net. This is a very strong Boston team.

Pick: Boston Bruins

NHL Game Previews for Next Week

2010-12-26T17:18:00.001-08:00

When Christmas is over the NHL sports betting online will start up fast and furious. Teams are clamoring for playoff spots as we move closer to the all-star break in February. The NFL betting lines are starting to narrow down to the playoff contenders, but the NHL scores are still wide open and anyone can still make a playoff push. Let’s take a look at some of the possible NHL hockey scores that fans will see when the NHL comes back next week and moves towards the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day.

Monday – Detroit Red Wings @ Colorado Avalanche

Both of these teams are at the top of their respective divisions, but they are also both riding losing streaks. The Red Wings have only won four of their last 10 games and goaltender Jimmy Howard has been looking a bit shaky. The offense cannot seem to produce goals when needed, and that is definitely not a problem the Red Wings have had in the past.

The Avalanche recently got their starting goaltender Craig Anderson back, but the rust is still all over Anderson. The Avalanche have lost their last two in a row and are losing ground on first place Vancouver in the Northwest division. The Avalanche had been on a winning streak just prior to dropping two straight, but they have not looked very energetic in their last two outings.

Pick: Detroit Red Wings

Tuesday – Atlanta Thrashers @ Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have the Winter Classic on their minds, but before they can take the ice on New Year’s Day they have to deal with the surging Atlanta Thrashers. The Penguins required a shoot out to beat the Washington Capitals in a game just before Christmas, and the Pens offense looked a little confused. Pittsburgh has won eight of their last 10 games, and they are currently battling with the Philadelphia Flyers for the top spot in the league standings.

The Atlanta Thrashers are one of the surprises in the league. Atlanta has benefited from some very good off-season moves and now sit only two points out of first place in the Southeast Division. Atlanta has won five of their last 10 games, but they are currently riding a two-game losing streak.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

Tuesday – Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are trying desperately to string some wins together before they get to the Winter Classic. But their schedule has been tough. They just played the Pittsburgh Penguins and now they are hosting the high-flying Montreal Canadiens. The Caps are playing some solid defense, they just cannot seem to find the net. Most notable among the players without a goal is Alex Ovechkin who has not scored a goal in eight consecutive games.

The Canadiens are playing good hockey and hold down first place in the Northeast Division. But they are 8-8-0 on the road, and goaltender Carey Price seems to have problems playing away from Montreal. The Canadiens tend to show lapses in defense that leave their goaltender all alone at times, and that could be something the Capitals can exploit.

Pick: Washington Capitals

Online NHL Betting – Crosby Leads Early Favorites For Hart Trophy

2010-12-19T17:11:00.000-08:00

Early online NHL betting odds for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the MVP in the NHL, should have a familiar name at the top of the list of favorites, but there are some other players who deserve consideration as well.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh

Crosby, who won this award four years ago, is in a different class right now. He has a 20-game point streak going on, he leads the league in goals and points (he’s second in assists), and he’s doing it with little help as he has 27 more points than the next high scorer in Pittsburgh, Kris Letang. Simply put, if NFL betting players had to compare him to someone, he’s Michael Vick or Tom Brady.

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay
The young sniper is a major reason the Lightning are a factor in the East, and he’s second to Crosby in goals and points. Stamkos is showing that he’s more than a one-timer as he scores from all over the place, and don’t let a recent slump put you off: Stamkos can get on a roll at any time.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
The 40-year-old may already have his seventh Vezina sewn up, and there may not be a more fun player to watch, but not because he’s flashy. You can count on one hand the number of times Lidstrom has been out of position this year, and you’d probably be wrong on half of them anyway. Teammates Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are also playing well, but it all starts in Hockeytown with the captain at the back.
Mike Richards, Philadelphia

Speaking of captains, Richards is as good as you can get as he’ll score, leading the Flyers to the top of the NHL standings, and he’ll drop the gloves if he needs to, although Philadelphia wants him on the ice more. His leadership and skill is a major reason why the Flyers lead the league in points right now and may reach the Eastern Conference this season, but this time as a favorite, unlike last year’s underdog run through the playoffs.
Carey Price, Montreal

Boston’s Tim Thomas has better numbers, but Price has been absolutely outstanding in what is easily the most insane fan and media market in the NHL. Price is fifth in GAA, fourth in save percentage, and tied for first in wins while playing eight more games than Thomas. Not to mention, Price has the pressure of Montreal on his back, and you’re seeing the maturation of a young man, and we’re seeing why the Canadiens have thought so highly of him through it all. If he continues this, you really have no choice but to get on the Montreal betting freight train.

NHL Game Previews for the Weekend

2010-12-12T16:48:00.000-08:00

The NHL betting marches on for the 2010-2011 season. As some cities are still buried in NFL betting, many others have their eyes on the NHL standings. The NHL scores this weekend will not decide any playoff spots. But if teams want to start building playoff momentum then now is the time to get started.
Sat. – Atlanta Thrashers @ New York Islanders
The Atlanta Thrashers are one of the NHL’s quiet successes this season. They have won eight of their last 10 games, are tied for second place with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division. At 6-5-1, the Thrashers have also put together a solid road record. They are a good mix of hot goaltending and scoring. This Atlanta team may be ready to challenge for a playoff spot.

The New York Islanders cannot get out of their own way on the ice. The Islanders have won one of their last 10 games and are currently riding a four-game losing streak. Goaltender Rick Dipietro is back in the nets, but he is looking anything but solid. Expect the Islanders to make some moves before the trade deadline, but they will probably be sellers as opposed to buyers.
Pick: Atlanta Thrashers

Sat. – Carolina Hurricanes @ St. Louis Blues
After so many consecutive years of dismal play, it is hard to believe that the St. Louis Blues are on fire at this early point of the season. But at 14-9-4, the Blues are only two points away from tying the Chicago Blackhawks for second place in the Central Division. The Blues may have experienced a temporary setback as goaltender Jaroslav Halak is out with a leg injury. But the Blues have a strong defense that can pull together and keep the team on track.
The Carolina Hurricanes started the season with such promise, but all of that promise is slowly slipping away. The Canes are 3-4-3 in their last 10 games, and they are 5-7-2 on the road. The Hurricanes need to put together a winning streak now to start threatening for a playoff spot. A St. Louis team without their starting goaltender may be a good place to start.
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes

Sat. – Chicago Blackhawks @ San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are starting to realize that maybe former goaltender Evgeni Nabokov was not the problem in San Jose. The Sharks signed Stanley Cup winning goaltender Antti Niemi in the off-season and let Nabokov go back home to Russia. Niemi has been a complete disappointment, and the Sharks need to find a way to play stronger defense or their season could be over by the all-star break.
The Chicago Blackhawks are finally getting themselves together. Losing nine players from their Stanley Cup roster was not easy to recover from. But the Blackhawks are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, and that includes a two-game winning streak. The only question mark with the Hawks right now is how long star forward Patrick Kane will be out with a leg injury. But, in this game, it should not matter.
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Betting Odds – Red Wings Still Pick Of The Stanley Cup Favorites

2010-12-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

The NHL betting odds for the preseason Stanley Cup favorites haven’t changed much yet as the season is still relatively young, but if we had to make a pick, we would still say Detroit has the best chance of hoisting the Cup.

Detroit (+700) – The Red Wings would have to be compared to New England, and those betting on NFL odds are very familiar with their work. Like the Patriots, the Red Wings are probably the best organization in the league in terms of being well run, and last year’s exit in the second round looks to be motivation for another Stanley Cup run. With their veteran experience, we’re betting on them to get back to the Finals, at least.

Pittsburgh (+520) – The Penguins split a pair of Stanley Cup finals with the Red Wings before Chicago won it last year, and they look to be on that path again. Sidney Crosby is playing like a man possessed as he is tied for the league lead in goals, and he’s on top of the points table. The Penguins got off to a slow start, and they still don’t look comfortable in the new Consol Energy Center, but led by their captain, Pittsburgh will be there at the end.

Chicago (+1400) – We have a feeling the Blackhawks are going to have to go through Detroit if they want to repeat, and they may be experiencing a bit of a Cup hangover, especially at home where they are below .500. The Blackhawks are also dealing with a big turnover on their squad, and they’ll surely improve as the season wears on. With captain Jonathan Toews leading the way, the Blackhawks will end up finding their way up the NHL standings.

Boston (+1200) – The Bruins lead the league in goals against, and they’re getting a few more goals than last season, so things are looking up. Marc Savard is back from post-concussion syndrome, giving Boston their best playmaker back, but it all depends on whether the Bruins will continue to get out-of-this-world goaltending from Tim Thomas, who is defying all the critics.

Montreal (+1600) – Goaltending is also the story in Montreal, where Carey Price is flourishing with Jaroslav Halak in St. Louis. We all know the kid was talented, but he was always looking over his shoulder for Halak and now that it’s just him, Price can play relaxed. The defense is strong, they get timely goals, and in the Bell Center Montreal has one of the biggest home-ice advantages in the league, which definitely comes in handy come playoff time. When it comes to making a dark horse bet, the Canadiens could be worth it.

NHL Betting Trends: Games To Watch Early Next Week

2010-11-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

The sports betting on NHL hockey is picking up along with NFL betting. The NHL betting odds are still fluctuating up and down, but as the NHL standings start to come more into focus the game scores will start to have more of an effect on how people bet.

Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers – Monday

The Penguins suddenly got goaltending out of Marc-Andre Fleury as Pittsburgh blanked the Buffalo Sabres 1-0 just before Thanksgiving. It does not solve all of the Pengiuns’ goaltending problems, but it helps to give Fleury some much needed confidence.

The Rangers, on the other hand, are still trying to figure out what is wrong with Henrik Lundqvist. New York used to have one of the most reliable goaltenders in the league but the team could not score. Now the team is having no problems putting the puck in the net, but Lundqvist is falling apart.

The Penguins need to build some momentum if they are to be considered a Stanley Cup contender this year. It will be interesting to see if Fleury can continue to deliver top-notch goaltending as the season moves along. If the Penguins can get their goaltending figured out, then they are on their way to a long run in the playoffs.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

Dallas Stars @ Carolina Hurricanes – Monday

The Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes are still hoping for playoff seasons this year. But by the way both teams are playing, the post-season is not it the cards for either one. The Carolina Hurricanes do just fine when Cam Ward is in goal, but when backup Justin Peters plays it is a disaster. But the Hurricanes continue to play Peters because of Ward’s tendency to get injured and because Ward has not played a full season in two years and Canes do not want to wear him out.

The Stars just seem unlucky. They play good defense, they score often enough and they are getting decent goaltending. The problem for the Stars just seems to be timing. They cannot score that winning goal when they need to. Their goals come in bunches and usually after the outcome of the game is already decided.
The Stars just need a couple of good games to help boost their confidence. They start that streak of good games with this one in Carolina.

Pick: Dallas Stars

Los Angeles Kings @ Anaheim Ducks – Monday

The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks better make room for the Los Angeles Kings as a Western Conference elite team. The Kings score goals and get excellent goaltending from Jonathan Quick. The Kings are in a bit of a slump right now, and that is the last thing that Anaheim needs.

The Anaheim Ducks are clinging to last place in the Pacific Division as if they fear they could fall further down in the standings. They have lost two in a row, and are not getting any kind of quality play at any position right now. They are just sitting Ducks for the Kings, who desperately need a win.

Pick: Los Angeles Kings

NHL Game Previews for November 26, 2010

2010-11-23T19:18:00.000-08:00

NHL teams do not get a break to reflect on what they are thankful for as the NHL schedule rolls right through Thanksgiving week. The sports betting enthusiasts are focused on NFL betting for Thanksgiving Day, but the Friday after Thanksgiving is all about NHL scores. There are some good pay per head games coming up on Black Friday with some teams that need to get back on the winning track.

Carolina Hurricanes @ Boston Bruins

The Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins got off to fast starts to the 2010-2011 season, but both teams have hit rough times lately. Both teams have a 4-4-2 record in their last 10 games, but the Bruins are desperately trying to hang on to second place in the Northeast division.

The Hurricanes have hit some bad luck with goaltending lately, and the Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas has also slipped a bit in the past couple of games. This will be a hard-fought game between two teams that are desperate to re-establish their winning ways and stay in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference.

Pick: Boston Bruins

New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders

The New Jersey Devils are about as unpredictable as a hockey team can get. They will go through stretches where they cannot buy a win and do not look like they are trying at all, and then they will turn around and blow out a team like the Washington Capitals in a 5-0 win. Legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur is having an up and down season, but he seems to be reacting to the play in front of him. When the Devils turn it on, they can win.

The Islanders are having all kinds of problems this season. They have not won a game in over three weeks as they are 0-8-2 in their last 10 games. They cannot score and their goaltending is less than adequate. Goaltender Rick DiPietro and his 15-year contract are definitely not living up to expectations.

Pick: New Jersey Devils

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres

When the Leafs come to Buffalo it is always a chaotic scene. There are just as many Leaf fans as Sabre fans in the building, and the roar from the crowd when the Leafs score rivals the boos. The Leafs had stumbled for a while with an eight-game losing streak, but they have found their way recently and have started putting wins on the board again. The thing that has carried the Leafs in their last few games is the goaltending of Jonas Gustavsson who took over when number one goalie J.S. Giguere was injured.

The Sabres cannot catch a break. Just when they get back goaltender Ryan Miller and start winning, Miller gets hurt again and Patrick Lalime takes over in net. Lalime gave away a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a really bad play in his own end which over-shadowed an otherwise excellent performance. The Sabres have won three of their last four at home, and this promises to be another classic battle.

Pick: Buffalo Sabres

NHL Power Rankings – Sorting Through The Top 10 In The NHL

2010-11-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

It’s still early for NHL standings to change that much from week to week, but we’re soon getting to the points where we will be able to tell the contenders from the pretenders. Here is a look at this week’s Power Rankings.
Detroit – If the Red Wings were an NFL football betting option, you’d have to call them New England. They’re easily the best-run organization in the league, possibly in all of sports, and they’re riding a four-game winning streak.
Boston – The best thing about the Bruins is their 7-1-0 record away from home, and they’re getting out-of-this-world goaltending from Tim Thomas. Milan Lucic scored a hat trick on Thursday night, which is great for a team that needs goals.
Washington – The Capitals’ defense is improving, and they are also tied for the league lead in goals scored. Can we just give them the Southeast title already? Tampa Bay hasn’t improved enough to catch them.
Chicago – The Blackhawks need to shore up their defense if they want to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, but we have faith that Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and company will come around. Captain Jonathan Toews is picking up his play as well.

Philadelphia – The Flyers are out to prove that last year’s run to the Finals was no joke, and they’re tied with Washington for the league lead in goals scored. Captain Mike Richards has been on fire all month, and even though the Flyers have dropped two in a row, he’ll pick them up this weekend.

Phoenix – The Coyotes earn a spot because of a four-game winning streak, and while they’re off to a bit of an inconsistent start, those wagering on NHL betting odds will know better than to turn their back on Phoenix after last year’s season.
Los Angeles – The young Kings have lost two in a row, but seven of their last 10 overall. If the Kings are going to push in the West, they need to be better on the road: Los Angeles is 8-1-0 at home, and 4-4-0 away from the Staples Center.
Vancouver – The Canucks were 2-3 on an Eastern road trip, but they return home this weekend, beginning with a showdown on Saturday against Chicago, who eliminated them in the playoffs the past two years.
San Jose – It seems kind of pointless to even list the Sharks in these power rankings: we know they’re a good team, and they’ll probably be near the top of the Western Conference standings at the end of the regular season…but what about those pesky playoffs?
Columbus – The Blue Jackets sneak on the back of a 5-1-0 road record, and they’ve won seven of their last 10. The Blue Jackets could end up being this year’s Coyotes, so check out their odds, they may be worth a bet.

NHL Game Previews for November 18, 2010

2010-11-17T19:12:00.001-08:00

New Jersey Devils @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The sports betting experts are still trying to figure out why Ilya Kovalcuk of the Devils refuses to put in any effort, and why goalie Martin Brodeur looks human this season. The football betting in New Jersey is getting intense, but it isn’t the betting on NFL games that is pulling fans away from the Devils. It is the play of the team.

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally snapped their eight-game losing streak, but they lost their starting goaltender in the process. Backup Jonas Gustavsson steps in and he should be a more than adequate replacement for the injured J.S. Giguere.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Tampa Bay Lightning started the season with an impressive push that put them atop the Southeast division. But in their last 10 games the Lightning have lost seven, and they had to watch as first place started to slip away. Now they trail the Washington Capitals by nine points in the standings, and the Lightning are looking to re-establish their winning ways against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Flyers are one of the best teams in hockey thanks to the play of rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Rookie goaltenders are always an unpredictable lot when they get to the playoffs, but for now it looks like the Flyers and Bobrovsky are on cruise control as they have won eight of their last 10 games.

Pick: Philadelphia Flyers

Florida Panthers @ Boston Bruins
Whatever the Florida Panthers had going on towards the end of the 2009-2010 season was gone by the time the 2010-2011 season started. The Panthers are last in the Southeast division, and they are 2-6-0 away from home. The Panthers do not play much better on home ice, but when they get on the road they are a disaster.

The Bruins seems to be struggling a bit as of late. They are .500 in their last 10 games, but they continue to play strong in front of goaltender Tim Thomas. On the goaltending flip side for the Bruins, playoff hero Tuukka Rask has not won a game this season in five starts. That could become a factor as the season plays on, but it will not hurt the Bruins in this game regardless of who they put in goal.
Pick: Boston Bruins

San Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars may be regretting letting goaltender Marty Turco go just a little bit. To replace the proven NHL pay per head starting goaltender, the Stars brought in two career backups in Kari Lehtonen and Andrew Raycroft. The Stars are currently sitting last in the Pacific division as they have lost six of their last 10 games. Maybe Turco wasn’t the problem after all. The Stars also let veteran Mike Modano go as well. It could be a lack of veteran leadership that is hurting the Stars.

The Sharks also blamed their problems on their goalie and replaced Evgeni Nabokov with Stanley Cup winning goal Antti Niemi. They paid Niemi starting goaltender money and now he is awful. Looks like Nabokov wasn’t the problem in San Jose. But the Sharks problems won’t come to light until the playoffs. Until then, they are still a good regular season team.

Pick: San Jose Sharks

NHL Game Previews for Monday November 15, 2010

2010-11-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

The betting on NHL games is now in full swing, and as some key games are approaching the NFL betting is going to need to be put to the side for a little while. It is early in the season but the NHL scores being put up are making for interesting divisional races. We are nowhere near a playoff run yet, but these early changes in the standings are fun to watch.
New Jersey Devils @ Boston Bruins
The New Jersey Devils are a mess. Their hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur is out with a wrist injury, scoring sensations Zach Parise is out and Ilya Kovalchuk is definitely not living up to his $100 million contract. The Devils look lost out on the ice and have only won three of their last 10 games.

The Bruins have won six of their last 10 games and are enjoying the benefit of having two starting goaltenders on their roster. Last year’s playoff goalie Tuukka Rask is having a slow start, but veteran Tim Thomas has been more than able to pick up the slack.
Pick: Boston Bruins

Vancouver Canucks @ Buffalo Sabres
The Vancouver Canucks are at it again. They are one of the top teams in the NHL having won seven of their last 10 games. Their regular season excellence is being pushed, once again, by goaltender Roberto Luongo. Canucks fans have seen this movie before and they can only hope that Luongo maintains his performance through the playoffs.
The Sabres may be getting all-star goaltender Ryan Miller back by this game. The problem for the Sabres has not really been goaltending, it has been bad defensive play and inconsistent scoring. The Sabres are bunching up on the puck and not scoring goals at key moments. Things have improved lately, but the Sabres have not won at home yet this season and that trend will continue with this game.
Pick: Vancouver Canucks

Ottawa Senators @ Philadelphia Flyers
Both the Flyers and the Senators had a rough start in the NHL standings early this season, but they have turned it around recently and both teams have been playing strong lately. The Flyers have won eight of their last 10 games and are starting to put some room between themselves and the New York Rangers in the Atlantic division.
The Senators are using their hard-hitting style to move closer to first place in the Northeast division. Ottawa has won seven of their last 10 and is getting excellent northbet.com review goaltending from Brian Elliot who has won his last four in a row.
Pick: Ottawa Senators

New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
This Atlantic division battle features two teams still trying to find their identities. The Penguins have really struggled of late, losing six of their last 10. They are getting let down by their goaltending which is one of the problems that got them booted from the playoffs last year.
The Rangers are teetering on the brink of collapse but were able to pull out an overtime win against the Sabres recently. The Rangers are having all kinds of problems winning at home, but the road has been very kind to them.

Pick: New York Rangers

NHL Game Previews for November 9, 2010

2010-11-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

Atlanta Thrashers @ Ottawa Senators

By George Root

The Atlanta Thrashers are one of those teams that drive betting experts crazy. They have a 4-2-2 road record and a 2-3-1 home record. That means that they are strong on the road and unpredictable at home. Once the NFL betting on the Atlanta Falcons is done, the Thrashers may start playing better at home. But for now, the Thrashers continue to find the road more appealing than their own arena.

The Senators have won three in a row and look like they are finally on a winning track. Goaltender Brian Elliott has been impressive in the last few games, and he has given the Senators the opportunity to press the offense into the opposing end a little more consistently. But Ottawa is still taking bad penalties and making mistakes in their own end that could cost them against a team like Atlanta.

Pick: Atlanta Thrashers

Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers

Washington captain Alex Ovechkin has really picked up the point scoring pace in the past few games. In his last five games Ovechkin has four goals and five assists. In that span of games the Capitals have won four out of five. The Capitals have also been helped by rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth who has wrestled the starting job away from Semyon Varlamov. Neuvirth has won three of his last five starts, but was pulled in the last game he played after giving up three goals in two and a half periods.

The Rangers are playing a bit more consistently this season as they remain neck-and-neck with the Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the Atlantic division. But the Rangers are having problems winning at home, and they do not show any signs of being able to put together a solid home effort and time soon.

Pick: Washington Capitals

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lighting

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning were both putting up impressive NHL scores when the season started. They both rocketed to the top of their respective divisions and stayed there the first couple weeks of the season. But the Leafs and the Lightning are both falling to the ground again, and this game will come down to which team has the ability to stop the freefall.

The Leafs seem to have the more consistent goaltending and they are getting goal production from a large portion of their roster. The Lightning have relied on Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier for their scoring in the beginning, and both of those players are in cold streaks right now.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Anaheim Ducks @ San Jose Sharks

When you look at the NHL standings in the Pacific division, you may be surprised to see that neither the San Jose Sharks nor the Anaheim Ducks are in first place. The Los Angeles Kings rule the roost in the Pacific, and they keep widening their margin every week.

In the offseason the Sharks decided that goaltender Evgeni Nabokov was the reason that they were racking up great regular seasons but could not get to the Stanley Cup finals. So they went out and signed Stanley Cup winning goaltender Antti Niemi from the Chicago Blackhawks. So far Niemi has been a huge northbet.com review disappointment and the Sharks sit in fourth place in the division.

The Ducks were having problems of their own until they hit on a recent three-game winning streak. But Anaheim still has the worst goal differential in the conference at -10, and until they straighten out their defense they are destined to win and lose in streaks.

Pick: San Jose Sharks

NHL Betting – Ranking The Top 10 NHL Teams

2010-11-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

NFL betting players are getting into the second half of their season, but NHL betting just started about a month ago, and teams are starting to get comfortable. Here is a look at the top 10 teams in the league right now.

St. Louis – Jaroslav Halak is fourth in GAA, and the Blues are 6-0-0 at home. Can they sustain this pace? Only time will tell, but it sure is an impressive start.

Los Angeles – The Kings dealt with the injury to Drew Doughty nicely, and they also haven’t lost on their home ice. You can tell that the Blues and Kings are young teams: they get so fired up playing in front of their home fans.

Philadelphia – The Flyers are second to Chicago in goals scored, but we’re still not sure what Daniel Briere was thinking when he cross-checked Frans Nielson of the Islanders in the face to earn a three-game suspension. That came out of nowhere.

Vancouver – The Canucks got off to a slow start, but they’re coming around now. Still, those watching NHL scores have to be wary about the play of Roberto Luongo, who is 18th in the NHL in GAA. If he doesn’t improve, the Canucks are going to fall.

Washington – The Capitals had scored 12 goals in their last two games heading into Friday’s game, and that’s not good news for the rest of the league. If this team gets going, it doesn’t matter who their goalie is, until the playoffs, of course.

Detroit – The Red Wings have been playing like a baseball team who came up short on their World Series betting odds (*ahemNewYorkYankeesahem*) in the previous year. With this many veterans on a team playing with a chip on their shoulder, are you counting out Detroit?

Boston – Whatever Tim Thomas did in the offseason, he needs to bottle and sell it. The 36-year- old has completely stolen the No.1 job away from Tuukka Rask with a GAA of 0.72 and a 7-0-0 record. We knew he would battle for the spot, but no one saw this coming.

Columbus – The Blue Jackets are a sterling 4-1-0 on the road so far this year, and while they don’t need to continue that pace, they need to be solid away from home to make the playoffs for the second time in their history.

Tampa Bay – We told people to leave Steven Stamkos alone after his first season in the league, but people didn’t want to listen. Now he’s the best sniper in the NHL that isn’t named Alex Ovchekin.

Chicago – The defending champions haven’t missed much of a beat despite a number of changes in the offseason. Patrick Sharp has been on fire, and when Patrick Kane finally heats up, the Blackhawks could improve their betting odds even more.

NHL Games Preview for October 30, 2010: Sabres Head Down South

2010-10-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Buffalo Sabres @ Dallas Stars

When the Dallas Stars got rid of goaltender Marty Turco and replaced him with Kari Lehtonen, the sports betting public was skeptical. The NFL betting in Dallas with the Cowboys is not going so well, so the Dallas sports fans are hoping that the Stars can take away some of the pain caused by the Cowboys. Lehtonen has never been a reliable full-time NHL starter, and he has lost four of his last five starts this season.

The NHL scores for the Buffalo Sabres look very familiar this year. The Sabres are up there in the goal scoring department this season, but they are doing it in bunches. The team has not changed much in the past three or four years. If the Sabres start putting the puck in the net early in this game, then they could wind up with another five or six goal win. As always with the Sabres, it just depends on which Sabres team shows up.

Pick: Buffalo Sabres 6-3

Nashville Predators @ Detroit Red Wings

The NHL sports news enthusiasts knew something was up with the Nashville Predators when they were one of the few teams to give the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks a hard time in the playoffs last year. The Predators lead the Central Division, which is becoming one of the most competitive divisions in the NHL. The Red Wings sit at the bottom of the division, but their 11 points would put them in first or second place in most of the other NHL divisions.

Nashville is killing teams with defense. In nine games played this season the Predators have only allowed 20 goals. The Red Wings aren’t scoring like they used to, but second-year goalie Jimmy Howard is undefeated this season at 4-0. This will be a low-scoring defensive affair that could be the first step in the Red Wings passing the torch to a Predators team that just refuses to go away.

Pick: Nashville Predators 2-1

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes know that this season just cannot be any worse than last year. The Hurricanes poured it on late last season, but by the time they had their act together the playoffs were not even a possibility. This year goalie Cam Ward is healthy and the Hurricanes have come out of the gate swinging with a 4-4 record despite the fact that they are one of the lower scoring teams in the league.

The Penguins look like they are finally ready to re-assert themselves in the NHL this season. They sit on top of the Atlantic Division and are one of the highest scoring teams in the league. It looks like the rest of the NHL should be looking over their shoulders for Sidney Crosby and the rest of his Penguins teammates. The one notable change this season is that goalie Brent Johnson looks to be the goalie of the future for Pittsburgh as former Stanley Cup winning goalie Marc-Andre Fleury just cannot seem to find that winning touch again.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1

NHL Game Preview for October 23, 2010: Toronto Maple Leafs (+144) @ Philadelphia Flyers (-156)

2010-10-23T08:22:00.001-07:00

Sports betting experts would like to act surprised about the start that the Philadelphia Flyers are having this NHL season, but the Flyers did not show any ability to sustain their Stanley Cup finals run from last year during the preseason. Philadelphia sports fans may want to consider sticking with NFL betting during this fall and winter as the prospects for the Flyers do not look they will be improving any time soon.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have not played a game since Monday when the Leafs lost to the New York Islanders 2-1. The patterns that the NHL scores are showing for the Leafs this year are not a surprise. The goaltending that the Leafs invested in last year is starting to pay off. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is undefeated in regulation time this season with his only loss coming in that overtime game with the Islanders. The only regulation loss for the Leafs this year was 2-1 loss to the Rangers with Jonas Gustavsson in net.

The Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke took a lot of heat last season when he came on board and the Leafs could still not win. Fans should know by now that it takes time to build a winner in the NHL. The only question that remains is whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs can maintain their winning ways and stay on top of the Northeast Division for the remainder of the season. There are a lot of games left to play, and the Maple Leafs have shown a talent for crumbling late in the season for the past several years.

The Philadelphia Flyers are not having as much luck in net as the Maple Leafs are having. Playoff goaltending hero Michael Leighton has undergone back surgery and it looks like he is lost until the beginning of 2011. In his place, Brian Boucher and rookie Sergei Bobrovsky are trying to keep the Flyers going. The Flyers have chosen to rely on the rookie for the bulk of the work as Boucher’s reputation for being a journeyman seems to have caught up with him again. The NHL scores the Flyers are putting up show a team that is, once again, undecided about their identity. Philadelphia is once again bitten by injuries and trying desperately to figure out how they want to play their game.

One of the things that comes into play in this game is the fact that, at this early point of the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are undefeated on the road. They have won both of their road games in regulation while putting up one regulation loss and one overtime loss at home. The Leafs may find starting this Northbet.com season away from home easier as the pressure from the Toronto media and fans to start winning games has been intense.

The Flyers look to be in disarray. But Philadelphia squeaked into the playoffs while in disarray last season, so they are able to play while in disarray. But the Leafs are a stronger team this year than last year, and that will come out in this game.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1

NHL Game Preview for Saturday October 16, 2010: Buffalo Sabres @ Chicago Blackhawks

2010-10-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

According to the sports betting world, this is supposed to be a good year for the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres are 16-1 to win the Eastern Conference and 30-1 to win the Stanley Cup. That does not make the Sabres the odds-on favorites, not by a long shot. But it does instill a certain level of confidence that the Sabres are moving in the right direction.

Chicago sports fans have been focused on NFL betting the past few weeks as the Bears are getting off to a great start in the NFL. The Blackhawks are 4-1 favorites to win the Western Conference and 15-2 favorites to repeat as the Stanley Cup champions. The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins are 6-1 to win the Cup, so the Blackhawks are not the odds-on favorites. However, those odds are awfully high for a team that has lost much of the heart and soul that helped them win the Cup in the first place.

Gone from the Blackhawks are goaltender Antti Niemi, forward Dustin Byfuglein and defenseman Ben Eager. Of course the Blackhawks are left with more talent than most other teams have, but it is the role players that win you championships. The Blackhawks have jettisoned all but a couple of their very important role players.

The NHL scores last week saw the Sabres lose three games in a row including an overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. Vezina winning goaltender Ryan Miller looks to be in mid-season form for the Sabres, but their offense is still trying to wake up. There is no zip in the Sabres step, and for a team with that much talent there should be a lot of zip.

The Blackhawks welcome back defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson after his two-game suspension for a dirty check on Buffalo’s Jason Pomminville in the last meeting between these two teams. The Sabres are not known as a team that holds grudges, mostly because they have never had the personnel to hold grudges with. But with players like Mike Grier, Paul Gaustad and newly acquired Rob Niedermayer, Sabres fans are hoping that a message gets sent to the rest of the league that the Sabres cannot be pushed around anymore.

The betting services are reporting that Patrick Kane, whose goal won the Blackhawks the Stanley Cup last season, may miss a couple of games due to a serious illness. That could mean that Kane is out for this game with the Sabres or, at the very least, he will be weakened if he does play. Pomminville is the only significant injury for the Sabres as he is still recovering from the concussion Hjalmarsson gave him last week.

The Chicago team the Sabres are playing in this Northbet game is not the same team that won the Cup. The Sabres will not have to deal with Byfuglein in front of Ryan Miller and there will be no pinpoint passes from Ben Eager to get the Blackhawks out of their zone. If the Sabres can get their offense going, then this should be a game they can win regardless as to whether Ryan Miller is playing in the game or not.

Pick: Buffalo Sabres 3-1

NHL Game Preview for October 9, 2010: New York Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres

2010-10-08T08:37:00.001-07:00

The hockey betting has begun as the 2010-2011 NHL season gets underway. The NFL betting in Buffalo has been pretty quiet the last few years while Western New York sports fans wait for the Sabres season to begin. The betting world is expecting the NHL scores to go the Sabres way this season as the Sabres start off an 18-1 favorite to win the Stanley Cup.

The New York Rangers are given 28-1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup this season, and the team spent most of the off-season trying to figure out what went wrong last year. The Rangers retained fiery head coach John Tortorella in an attempt to try and get some continuity with the team. Tortorella is a former Stanley Cup winning head coach and while his style may be a bit difficult to comprehend, he does get the results teams are looking for.

The Rangers have every intention of leaning on all-star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist because Lundqvist can take it, and he is used to it. Amidst a terrible season for the Rangers last year, Lundqvist managed to win 35 games, post four shutouts and finish the season with a 2.38 goals against average. The Rangers only won three games without Lundqvist in net. Needless to say, Henrik Lundqvist is a major factor in the Rangers chances of making the playoffs this season.

The face of the Buffalo Sabres is their world-class goaltender Ryan Miller. Last year, the Sabres scored plenty of goals but they scored them at inopportune times. The team would score nine goals in one game, and then score three goals combined over the next two games. Head coach Lindy Ruff is hoping to spread the scoring out this year and become more consistent.

The Sabres have also decided to go with more youth on offense. Gone are names like Adam Mair and Clarke MacArthur. They have been replaced by Tyler Ennis, Nathan Gerbe and Cody McCormick. The defense has completely changed in Buffalo. Gone are stalwarts Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman. In are Jordan Leopold and Shaone Morrisonn. The Sabres also brought in Rob Niedermayer for more veteran leadership.

The Rangers have stayed pat with captain Chris Drury and veteran forwards such as Vinny Prospal, Ruslan Fedotenko and Sean Avery. The Rangers are hoping to get a full Northbet season out of young defenseman Marc Staal and are optimistic about the future of second-year defenseman defenseman Michael Del Zotto.

The sportsbook reviews on both of these teams say that we should expect better results than last season. Last year the Rangers missed the playoffs by one point and the Sabres got embarrassed by the Bruins in the playoffs. Fans on both sides are hoping for better results this year.

If the Rangers can get some scoring support for Lundqvist then they have a very good chance at making the playoffs. If the Sabres can get some consistency from their offense, and get the new veteran defense they have put together to gel, then the Sabres have a chance at living up to their expectations as well.

Pick: Buffalo Sabres 3-2

NHL Preview: Western Conference Teams to Watch for 2010-2011

2010-10-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

It is time to start betting on the NHL as the regular season fast approaches. While you are betting on NFL games and figuring out your choices for the World Series, take some time to consider the front-running teams in the NHL’s Western Conference.

Last year’s Western Conference champions, and eventual Stanley Cup champions, Chicago Blackhawks depleted their roster due to the salary cap during the off-season. The team left behind in no way resembles the Stanley Cup champions as they lost half of their defense and their starting goaltender. That opens up things for other teams in the Western Conference, and when the NHL scores start to roll in for the 2010-2011 season, we may see the makings of a new NHL Western Conference champion.

Phoenix Coyotes (Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 40-1)

The Coyotes finished strong at the end of the 2009-2010 season after some key acquisitions at the trade deadline. Offensive help arrived in the form of popular wingers Wojtek Wolski and Lee Stempniak from the Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs respectively. The Coyotes did the right thing in leaving starting goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in place as he was a rock all season last year.

As the season was winding down last year, the newly re-vamped Coyote line-up was making strides towards the top of the Western Conference. The team wound up fourth in the Western Conference but lost in the first round to the Detroit Red Wings. After a full off-season and training camp together, this unit can become a cohesive team that will give everyone problems in the Western Conference.

San Jose Sharks (Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 14-1)

Were the Sharks right in the off-season? Can they really lay all of their post-season disappointment on the shoulders of former goaltender Evgeni Nabokov? Nabokov was released by the Sharks in the off-season, and Stanley Cup winning goaltender Antti Niemi was brought on board. The Sharks also picked up former Philadelphia Flyer goaltender Antero Nittymaki as well.

This Sharks team has challenged for the President’s Trophy as the best regular season team for the last few years, but that has never translated into playoff success. This year, with a goalie that has proven to be clutch in pressure-filled playoff situations, the Sharks hope to make some noise in the Western Conference playoffs and grab that elusive championship they have been looking for.

Los Angeles Kings (Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 16-1)

The Northbet experts are paying a little more attention to the Los Angeles Kings this season after the Kings made a respectable showing in the 2009-2010 season. Goalie Jonathan Quick did not play up to expectations in the playoffs last year, but it is amazing what a year’s worth of experience can do for a quality goaltender.

Forward Anze Kopitar is becoming a scoring force in the NHL as he racked up 34 goals and 47 assists last season. Defenseman Jack Johnson matured a great deal as the result of his Olympic experience last season, and he looks to be a contributor to a much-improved Los Angeles hockey team.

NHL Preview: Three Teams to Watch in the Eastern Conference

2010-09-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

The sports betting world is starting to turn its attention to the NHL as the preseason starts up for many teams. With the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks disassembling their championship team, and championship goalie Annti Niemi going to San Jose, the landscape of the Western Conference has changed completely. Before the sports experts turn their attention back to NFL betting for a while, let’s take a look at the top three contenders in the Eastern Conference and how they should fare in the 2010-2011 season.

Buffalo Sabres (Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 18-1)

When the NHL scores started coming in last season, the Buffalo Sabres had started the season off scoring goals without much problem. As the season wore on, the Sabres scoring leaders started to fall off. If it were not for world-class goaltender Ryan Miller, the Sabres would have never made the NHL playoffs last season.

This year the Sabres are in a very familiar spot. They have made minor upgrades on the offense and are starting to go with players that prefer to play scrappy as opposed to having incredible talent. Along with forwards like Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy there are new additions such as Tyler Ennis, Cody McCormick and Nathan Gerbe. It would not be surprising to see all three of these young players make the full-time roster when the season starts.

The Sabres let most of their starting defense from last year go in free agency. Gone are Toni Lydman and Henrick Tallinder; two stalwarts for years on the Sabres roster. Along with 2010 rookie of the year Tyler Myers on defense there are new additions Jordan Leopold and Shaone Morrisonn. It remains to be seen if the new Buffalo defense will be better than the old Buffalo defense.

If the Sabres can figure out how to score consistently, then they will be a threat in the 2010-2011 season.

Washington Capitals (Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 13-2)

Does Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals hear that noise? That is the monkey on his back, and it is getting louder. Ovechkin, the captain of the Capitals, has failed to lead his team to a Stanley Cup championship. He also failed to lead his country to Olympic gold last year. Fair or not, with the way he plays and the way he talks, Ovechkin takes the heat for it.

The Washington Capitals are a regular season juggernaut that cannot perform in the playoffs. Much like the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks, the Capitals can win big games in the regular season but they get all choked up in the playoffs.

This season the Capitals should have goaltending sensation Semyon Varlamov all season long, and that will make a huge difference. Will it be enough to push the Capitals to the Stanley Cup? Only the sportsbook reviews at the end of the playoffs will tell us that for sure.

Pittsburgh Penguins (Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 6-1)

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are angry. They are angry with losing in the playoffs last season, they are angry at how they could not come through in the clutch last season and they could very well be angry at their goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury had a terrible playoffs last season, and he was one of the main reasons why the team folded when it really counted.

This season the Penguins are rested, pretty much intact and ready to make a run at the Eastern Conference title again. When Crosby and his cohorts put their mind to something, just so long as the goaltending is solid, there is very little that can stop them.

NHL 2010-2011 Preview: Top 5 Goaltenders

2010-09-17T14:13:00.001-07:00

Betting on NHL games is coming up soon, and drafting for fantasy hockey leagues is just about ready to begin. While you are thinking about betting on NFL games and getting your NHL fantasy roster ready, you need to consider the top 5 goaltenders going into the 2010-2011 season.

Annti Niemi – San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks cleared out some cap room by getting rid of playoff goaltending disappointment Evgeni Nabokov and brought in Stanley Cup champion goaltender Annti Niemi. San Jose fans will have to be patient with Niemi as he may not post the same impressive regular season numbers that Nabakov did. But legends are made in the playoffs, and legendary New York Islanders goaltender Billy Smith made his money in the playoffs. Niemi’s cool demeanor and solid approach to the game could be just the thing the Sharks need to get over their regular season curse in 2010-2011.

Ryan Miller – Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are once again developing “Dominik Hasek Syndrome”. They have one of the best goaltenders in the world, but they have an average team in front of him. The Sabres are going younger again as they let many veteran free agents go and replaced them with American Hockey League talents. Most notable in their absence will be veteran defensemen Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder. The Sabres blue line corps is now made up of older veterans and very young players. That can often be a volatile situation. The Sabres usually wind up in the higher end of the NHL scores results with goals, but they have a problem spreading the goals around. They may score eight goals in three games, but it could all be in one game. Miller will be the difference for the Sabres this year, and their success rides on his shoulders.

Semyon Varlamov – Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are in a great position to self-destruct this season. Their captain is an extremely talented hot head named Alexander Ovechkin, and Ovechkin is starting to develop a reputation for choking in the big game. His team lost in the Winter Olympics and Ovechkin took the heat, and when the Capitals bowed out of the playoffs last season much of the blame was hurled at Ovechkin. To help the Capitals out this season will be a hopefully healthy goaltender Semyon Varlamov. The sportsbook reviews on Varlamov have always been very good, it is just a matter of whether or not he can stay healthy for a season.

Tuukka Rask – Boston Bruins

You have to feel bad for Boston goaltender Tim Thomas. He spent years trying to break into the NHL, and when he finally gets there he is considered a top flight goaltender. Thomas would still be the number one goalie on most NHL teams, but in Boston he plays second fiddle to the youngster Tuukka Rask. With chants of “Tuuuuuukka” filling the Boston Gardens, Rask has taken Boston by storm. Hopefully he learned how to handle the pressure of the playoffs last year and he can use that to improve on this season.

Ilya Bryzgalov – Phoenix Coyotes

Fantasy team owners would be wise to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in mind as they draft players this year. The Coyotes are a team to watch, and goaltender Bryzgalov has been backstopping a terrible team for years, and he still put up impressive numbers. Now that he has an NHL elite team in front of him, look for Bryzgalov to put up some very good regular season and playoff numbers in 2010-2011.