Wednesday night features a match-up between two of the original six NHL teams when the Chicago Blackhawks (7-3-3) host the Boston Bruins (8-3-3). The Bruins have been one of the better teams away from home this season, with a sports betting record of 4-2-2 away from TD Banknorth Garden.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the NHL betting season is that nobody is taking advantage of the easiest sport to make money on in our sportsbook! Seriously, our hockey betting crowd is making a killing. It’s a good thing for us that that crowd isn’t larger. The bad news for us is that it’s never too late for you to turn your fortunes around with some solid hockey plays in the upcoming winter months.
Forget the slow start – the Anaheim Ducks are on a roll. After beginning the season in a funk the Ducks have heated up – paying off for those doing any NHL betting on them with eight wins (and an overtime loss) in their past nine games. Ryan Getzlaf and company will return to the ice Friday night, as they start their weekend against the Stars.
Philadelphia Flyers (0-3-3) vs. New Jersey Devils (5-1-0)
The Devils are everything you want in an NHL team, as long as you’re not opposed to low scoring offenses. The Flyers are atrocious right now. Even writing about them in any capacity is frustrating. Look for the Devils to demolish the Flyers tonight without a hitch.
Toronto Maple Leafs (1-2-3) vs. Boston Bruins (2-1-3)
Ron Wilson had one of the more perplexing coaching moves when the Leafs were toppled by the Anaheim Ducks in a shootout. Vesa Toskala, the Leaf’s starting net minder, was pulled in favor for Curtis Joseph, who promptly allowed two goals and earned the loss for the Blue Leafs. Will that ruin the already low morale in Toronto?
Two teams at opposite ends of the Pacific Division standings will meet on Friday night when the Anaheim Ducks play host to the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have paid off nicely for those doing NHL betting over the early part of the season; the Ducks have not.
New Jersey Devils (2-1-0) vs. Atlanta Thrashers (1-1-1)
The numbers show that both these teams are exactly where we expect them. The Devils haven’t moved away from their lockdown, defensive ways, while the Thrashers are allowing just as many goals as they get. What will happen when their Devils try to maintain their 4-2 SU record against the Thrashers?
Phoenix Coyotes (2-0-0) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (0-2-1)
If the Blackhawks are trying to prove that they’re the up and coming future of the NHL, they’re not off to the kind of start that proves it. Chicago has been outscored 3.67 goals against to 2.00 goals for in their first three contests. Though Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews usually generate some betting confidence, they’re not a safe pick right now for our NHL betting community.
There are two west coast online NHL betting contests this evening, and with both starting at 10:30pm EST, puck heads have plenty of time to skate over to the BetUS NHL odds and make money. Because lurking is all the winning information and selections intended to build your bankroll from action on the ice to load up on ammo for this weekend’s football, as I release my first two NHL wagering picks of the 2008-09 season.
Online sports wagering enthusiasts and hockey betting sharps are primed for the start of the NHL season, as there is tremendous NHL betting value to take advantage of as early as this weekend.
One typical betting trend when it comes to early season NHL games is high scoring. Generally, it takes goaltenders a few weeks or so to get into a rhythm once again, and coaches like to alternate between their starter and backup to begin the season, so as to give both ‘keepers a look.
The NHL returns to North America with a televised doubleheader for puck fans anxious to wager and watch.
While the NHL opened with four games in Europe last weekend, the big celebrations were saved for Thursday as the season starts with the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins visiting the Colorado Avalanche. Both games can be seen on Versus, with the Leafs and Wings starting the action at 7 pm ET.
The Montreal Canadiens are the Eastern Conference favorite, but there is a long list of teams with the potential to make the Stanley Cup Finals.
Any of the eight teams that make the playoffs in the East will have a good chance to win the conference, which means there’s plenty of good value in our NHL Futures Odds.
Oct 7th, 2008 – Keeping an Eye on the NHL
The NHL, struggling to get a foothold back in the North American sports marketplace, opened up their new season over the weekend in that local hockey hotbed, Sweden.
Yes, it’s looking like it could be another one of those years for the NHL.
The Detroit Red Wings are in the familiar position as big favorites to win the National Hockey League’s Western Conference as they get set to open their season this week.
The defending Stanley Cup Champions are listed at 7:4 odds to win the Western Conference at Sportsbook.com and any other team winning would be a big surprise.
Online sports wagering enthusiasts have their eye on the NHL section of BetUS’ sportsbook for the first time in a while, as the hockey season is about to get underway. With a wild offseason behind us, it’s tough to predict who will finish where, but we’ll help you out with three free picks to kick off another NHL sked!
To me, this NHL season is such an open and shut case. The Detroit Red Wings were such an omnipotent force in the NHL last year; it was almost fruitless for the betting community to get excited about anyone else. The Penguins, Rangers and Habs all made us excited in the Eastern Conference, but for no apparent reason. Then the Stars and Sharks continued to wheel and deal in an effort to strengthen their rosters, but to no avail.
