posted September 4, 2008 at 16:30 in NHL Props
NHL Ice Hockey Betting - Northwest Division Preview
The Northwest Division has been a goldmine for Stanley Cup final participants, as the Avalanche, Oilers and Flames have all made appearances in the last round in the 2000s. However, as of late, this division has been producing a lot of good teams, but no great teams.
The common theory is that the division is so strong that the teams essentially beat up on each other and wear one another out come playoff time. It's also become known for some of the most boring hockey on the planet thanks to the five defensive-minded teams that make up the Northwest.
Let's take a look and see if anyone actually stands out this year!
Everyone loves to take a leap of faith and put the Wild in the Stanley Cup finals when they make their pre-season predictions every year, however it never pans out. The new rulers of the neutral-zone trap simply don't have the firepower to win a championship, and have only become less potent with the departure of Brian Rolston and Pavol Demitra.
Veteran Andrew Brunette now has to step up and shoulder a heavy offensive load on the top line as a result. However, Jacques Lemaire's crew has proven that they can win in the regular season, and most likely, that's exactly what they'll do again. The Wild just wear down and suffocate teams within the 82 game schedule and bring a tight defensive corps and stellar goaltending to the rink every single night.
Outlook: If you can find a divisional futures bet, take it. However, the only strides they've made towards a Cup have been backwards.
Finally, this team will be forced to rebuild. Last season was the Av's last shot to take an aging, injury-ridden squad to the Cup and it passed them by. Colorado has really added nothing to help their cause. Rob Blake left and wasn't replaced--unless you consider Daniel Tjarnqvist a viable starting option.
Peter Forsberg finally gave up the dream of winning a Cup on an injured foot, and was replaced by Maple Leafs castoff Darcy Tucker. Playoff hero Jose Theodore departed, and he too was replaced by a Leafs reject--Andrew Raycroft.
Outlook: Question marks all around mean do not bet on NHL for the Avalance this year--with an exclamation mark.
The veteran Flames squad that we've become accustomed to has been tossed away in favor of young, speedy forwards. Mike Cammalleri, Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross can all really fly and will provide a threat on the left wing nearly every shift. On the right wing, league whipping boy Todd Bertuzzi will bring an imposing presence to the second line and add firepower.
What's odd about the Flames is that you could make an argument that they have the best forward (Jarome Iginla), defenseman (Dion Phaneuf) and goaltender (Mikka Kiprusoff) in the league, and are still not a contender. Perhaps Mike Keenan is the problem, and those youngsters sure won't like him.
Outlook: Maybe a good value NHL bet to win the division, but not the whole thing.
Only the Lightning and Blackhawks made more significant changes to their team this offseason than the Edmonton Oilers. The Oil brought in top-liner Erik Cole, and top-pairing D-man Lubomir Visnovsky to bolster their fringe squad.
Young pups such as Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano and Dustin Penner should break out offensively this year as well, making the Oilers a real threat in the West. The goaltending controversy has subsided, as Dwayne Roloson seems to have finally conceded that Mathieu Garon is the starter, which serves to solidify the back end.
Outlook: These kids just might win the division, I tell ya! Put some money on the Oilers.
Sure, defense and goaltending win championships, but not only defense and goaltending. Simply put, Roberto Luongo cannot carry this team on his shoulders to a championship, without any offensive support. The Canucks are one bad year away from blowing this model up, and this will probably be that year. New GM Mike Gillis can't wait to put his own print on this team.
Outlook: Stay away--maybe except on under totals throughout the season.
