posted August 25, 2008 at 17:00 in NHL Articles
NHL Wagering: Northeast Division Preview
For all of the Canadian hockey wagering enthusiasts out there, this is probably the preview you've been looking forward to. The Northeast has changed hands in terms of dominance many times since its inception. Last season, we saw a new face atop the list -- the Montreal Canadiens. Not since they won the Wales Conference crown with Patrick Roy between the pipes have les bleu, blanc et rouge been the team to beat, but that's exactly the case in 2008-09. Unlike in recent years, this division is a case of one team on the rise, and four others either on the decline, or in rebuilding mode.
How perfect would it be for the most storied franchise in the NHL to win their 25th Stanley Cup in their 100th year? (Alright, there's some controversy here, the lockout year didn't count, blah blah…) Those betting on hockey futures should roll with history, and count on fate in this instance, and but their money on the Canadiens. But with their explosive lineup, the Habs don't need luck on their side to win their division and the East. The addition of Alex Tanguay bring another capable 30+ goal scorer to Montreal, and another veteran body to help guide the likes of the Kostitsyn brothers.
Their fate will lie in the price, however--Carey Price. Those wagering on hockey should beware of the sophomore jinx for the young netminder, who has only another youngster in Jaroslav Halak to back him up.
After a tumultuous 2007-08 campaign (thanks in large part to Ray Emery), the Sens are out to prove that they are not the soft, unfocused bunch that they appeared to be. But if the problem was a lack of leadership, quintessential motivator Jason Smith will surely hold his teammates accountable. The former Flyers and Oilers captain replaces the struggling Wade Redden on Ottawa's blue line, and will add more toughness to what has traditionally been an accordion-esque playoff team.
However, if there's one thing the hockey betting community knows, it's that this group of Sens players know how to win regular season games. Betting on them to win the Eastern Conference might be a nice value bet, but a Stanley Cup still looks to be out of reach.
Everyone's favorite playoff sleeper last year did absolutely nothing to build upon their 8th place finish. Oh, they overpaid for Michael Ryder. This tight-checking bunch keeps it close every night, but not in the entertaining way. The Bruins are one of the most boring teams to watch, but they are a great team to bet Under-lines on throughout the season, with a neutral-zone trap system and All-Star goaltender Tim Thomas to keep them in games. Claude Julien appeared capable of working miracles last season, but don't count on one of championship magnitude!
Unlike the Bruins, this is the team you want to bet the Over on, every single night out. The Sabres bunch of waterbug forwards...and defensemen, sure know how to put the puck in the net. However, they struggle in the defensive end, and former All-Star Ryan Miller didn't give them much help in the way of keeping pucks out of the net last season either. The American goalkeeper signed a new contract over the off-season, and may now be comfortable and ready to settle down and turn this club back around. One season may not be enough, however. Buffalo lacks a number one defensemen that can log big minutes and be relied upon, making a playoff push virtually impossible.
I mean this in the nicest way, but: If you're going to put money on the Leafs this season, lay it down on them to not win the Stanley Cup. However, for Toronto fans, that's very good news. Finally, a GM in the 'center of the hockey universe' is gutsy enough to take a step out of mediocrity and rebuild this club. It just so happens to be the man that brought them back to prominence in the early 90s, out of the squalor of the Peter Ing era. Cliff Fletcher is making all the right moves, but unfortunately they will not result in the Buds being anywhere near the top of the standings, or the playoff race this season.
