NHL Hockey Betting - Anaheim Ducks

NHL Betting 2007-08 – Anaheim Ducks
Manager: Randy Carlyle
Arena: Honda Center
Last Season: 48-20-14, 110 pts, (1st Pacific, 2nd Western Conference)
2008 Prediction: 1st Western Conference

Preseason Odds to win Stanley Cup: +450

The Defending Champs are favorites heading in this year to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions in most sportsbooks, but that might be jumping the gun if you look at what has transpired with this team during the offseason. They lost their heart (Teemu Selanne) and soul (Scott Niedermayer) to supposed retirement, while one of their best young threats left when Dustin Penner took the money in Edmonton. So is they hype justified? We'll see as the NHL wagering season kicks off.

Absolutely. The Ducks are predicated on an insanely strong blue-line. Chris Pronger and Niedermayer were on a mission last year, and were virtually the most unstoppable force in the NHL. Pronger returns and the Ducks office has taken care of the Niedermayer departure by signing Mathieu Schneider. Francois Beauchemin is much better than everyone thinks and will get his chance to strut his strong skill set this season.

The offense still has some punch, but the loss of Selanne and Penner is undeniable a big one. Chris Kunitz and Andy McDonald are going to be the back-bone of this offense, which won’t be able to generate the points it easily scored last year. McDonald is a crafty two-way player. The line made up of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf will need to find a new running mate now that Penner is gone. It will be interesting to see if the addition of Todd Bertuzzi, who reunites with GM Brian Burke, will add anything to this offense.

Of course, it’s easy to roll in the playoffs when you have J.S. Giguere in the net. Jiggy was fifth best in goals against average with 2.26 and was possessed in the playoffs last year. With him in net and a strong blue-line, the Ducks will always have a chance in the playoffs. Whether they can recreate their eighth ranked offense is another question. They’re definitely worth a look for NHL betting action this winter.

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Official Website: www.anaheimducks.com