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NHL fans could get a preview of the Western Conference finals on Friday as San Jose will be in Detroit, and the Red Wings have been booted from the playoffs in two straight seasons by the Sharks, so this early-season contest takes on some extra meaning.
Sharks Red Wings Odds – Friday, 7:30 PM ET
The Sharks won the first two games of a seven-game swing through the east in New Jersey and Boston, and even though many making a pay per head NFL pick will stay away from a west coast team on the East, San Jose is off to a good start. They’ll play in Nashville on Tuesday night, then have three days off until the Detroit game.
The Red Wings have to play in Columbus on Tuesday, but they’ll be trying to pick themselves up after a 7-1 loss at the hands of Washington last Saturday. The two teams were unbeaten heading into that game, but the Red Wings looked completely overmatched. Goaltender Jimmy Howard will likely be back after missing Tuesday’s game due to the birth of his first child, but he was also on the bench for the Washington game after playing the night before against Columbus. That was a mistake.
NHL odds should favor the Red Wings at home, but the Sharks are 4-1 in their last five trips to the Motor City, with four games falling under the posted total. The Red Wings will be out to prove that they’re still a threat in the West, and they’ll be motivated by their postseason losses to San Jose, so Detroit is the smart play at sports betting websites. |
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For the first time in nearly 18 years, the NHL sports betting Stanley Cup Champion resides in the North Eastern part of the league. Last season, the Boston Bruins shocked many by putting it all together and winning Lord Stanley’s mug. Although they are the class of the North East division, one can’t count out the other four teams in the division, as everyone made huge improvements. Here is a look at the North East division bookie software betting odds.
The Boston Bruins enter the 2011-12 season as a +175 favorite to repeat as champion. Boston amidst letting Tomas Kaberle and Michael Ryder leave via free agency, return essentially the same lineup that helped end a nearly 40 year curse. Tim Thomas at 38 years old isn’t getting any younger, but the hopes of the team remain on his shoulders. If Thomas is unable to perform, look for Boston management to quickly go to backup goalie Tuuka Rask. Look for Thomas and Rask to split the games more evenly this year, before one is anointed the playoff goalie.
A team everyone and their uncle are expecting big things from this season, are the Buffalo Sabres. Entering the season as +500 favorite to win the Stanley Cup, the Sabres have added several premier talents that should help in all facets of their game. Similar to Boston, having a backup goalie in Jonas Enroth who can play 40 games if need be should go a long way in helping keep star goalie Ryan Miller healthy for a long playoff run. The addition of Christian Ehrhoff should also help a power play that struggled early and often last year.
The Montreal Canadians and Toronto Maple Leafs round out the division in terms of teams that can actually make the playoffs this season. The Canadians finally got bigger up front, as the addition of Erik Cole should help the skilled forwards. In Toronto, a healthy Tim Connolly should be just what the doctor ordered to help the Leafs stop a six year playoff drought. Toronto’s fishing game odds of +3000 are the best they have been in quite some time. |
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Tonight is a quiet night for the NHL, as there is only two games being played. The Minnesota Wild will travel to Ottawa to take on the Senators in a bookie software dream matchup, while the new look Florida Panthers take on the injury depleted Pittsburgh Penguins. It is early in the season, but victories by two of the four clubs, can go a long way in changing their sports betting fortunes for a run at the playoffs. Here is a preview and pick for each game.
Minnesota Wild At Ottawa Senators – The Minnesota Wild looked awful in a matinee game with the New York Islanders on Monday. This offseason, the Wild made a couple of trades with the San Jose Sharks, in an effort to rebuild on the fly and contend for a playoff spot. Gone are star defenseman Brent Burns and veteran winger Martin Havlat. In their places are wingers Danny Heatley and Devin Setoguchi.
This game will also be Heatley’s return to Ottawa, as the former Senator has yet to be back in the Canadian capital since being traded to the San Jose Sharks a couple of seasons ago. Last year, the Wild were killed by slow starts, but for this game, that shouldn’t be the case, as Heatley and his teammates will be up for this game against Ottawa. Pick: Minnesota.
Florida Panthers At Pittsburgh Penguins – The Penguins are already missing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to injuries, before Chris Kunitz went down to injury on Saturday night against Edmonton. On the contrary, Kevin Dineen has the new look Florida Panthers playing a mix of defensive and up tempo hockey, missing in South Florida for nearly a decade.
The blue collared Penguins line up has hung around in games, and should be able to put up points against the Panthers. With Crosby set to return as early as next week, look for the Penguins and Panthers to be entrenched in a high scoring affair. Pick: Pittsburgh |
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Over the past few years, the fishing games enthusiasts have seen the NHL go through a massive youth movement, in which players either from the draft or over seas have come to play in the world’s greatest hockey league. Heading into the 2011 – 12 sports betting seasons, fans from across the world, are chomping at the bit to see their favorite teams make the playoffs, thanks to a new emphasis on youth and skill. Today we will be looking at a few of the youngest players in the NHL, expected to make an impact this season.
Ottawa Senators – Last season was an absolute disaster for the Ottawa Senators, as their veteran savvy lineup disappointed fans by getting off to a slow start. Ultimately, the Senators would miss the playoffs, and then GM Brian Murray would ship out veterans, for draft picks and young players. Heading into this season, the Senators will have one the youngest lineups, with a ton of Swedish prospects making the jump to the NHL.
One of the main players media and fans alike will be focusing on, is Swedish defenseman David Rundblad, who is expected to share top pairing duties with fellow Swede Erik Karlsson. Both Rundblad and Karlsson are known as offensive defensemen, with Rundblad having the higher ceiling of the two. Last season, in his rookie year in the Swedish Elite League, Rundblad had an impressive 50 points in 55 games. The hope amongst Senators fans and media is that Rundblad can put up similar numbers in his rookie season with Ottawa this year.
Edmonton Oilers – Another Canadian team appearing to be confident in using all rookies, is the Edmonton Oilers. Led by Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, the Oilers with the first overall pick for the second year in a row, added center Ryan Nugent – Hopkins. The speedy center from Canada’s Western Hockey League has all the tools to be the perfect set up man for Hall this coming season. |
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