NHL Hockey Betting - Atlanta Thrashers

NHL Betting 2007-08 – Atlanta Thrashers
Manager: Bob Hartley 
Arena: Philips Arena
Last Season: 43-28-11, 97 pts (1st Southeast, 3rd Eastern Conference)
2008 Prediction: 3rd Eastern Conference

Preseason Odds to win Stanley Cup: +3500

Before you get exited about their prediction as third in the Eastern Conference, don’t forget that the leader for each division gets a top-3 spot automatically. They are easily the best team in the shoddy Southeast, but Carolina is creeping up on them fast. But the boatload of talent that the Thrashers possess will propel them in to the playoffs with another Southeast Division Title in 2008. Look for the Thrasher to cover the puckline in NHL betting this season as well.

The Thrashers are heavy on the wings and lack a true center, but that is of little concern for this high paced hockey team. Marion Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk form one of the most entertaining tandems in the league  and Slava Kozlov  is coming off his best season ever with 80 points.

The problem for Atlanta, as always, is a thin blue-line. They lack anyone who can move the puck efficiently in the power play and don’t have any speedy, or physically imposing players, on the defensive side. Luckily for them, Kari Lehtonen is tipping on the bubble as an elite goaltender. He ranked 25th overall last year, but showed flashes of utter brilliance. Consistency will be key for Lehtonen.

You can bet on Marion Hossa banging in a huge year. He’s entering the final year of his contract, is coming off a terrible playoff experience and needs to prove he is worth his weight in gold. The Thrashers are the best in a weak Southeast, but a lack of leadership makes them a hard bet to get anywhere near Lord Stanley in the spring.

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Official Website: www.atlantathrashers.com