NHL Hockey Betting - Colorado Avalanche

NHL Betting 2007-08 – Colorado Avalanche
Manager: Joel Quennville
Arena: Pepsi Center
Last Season: 44-31-7, 95 pts (4th Northwest, 9th Western Conference)
2008 Prediction: 8th Western Conference

Preseason Odds to win Stanley Cup: +1200

The Avs pressed hard late last season, but failed to make the playoffs for the first time in eleven seasons. This was expected since the Avalanche dealt their future away to acquire aging veterans. But GM Francois Giguere has turned this team around astoundingly fast and now they are knocking on the playoff door heading in to the 2007-08 NHL Betting season.

Thanks to a surge in the second half of the season, the Avalanche finished as the best offense in the Western Conference, tied with the high-powered Nashville Predators of yesteryear. They have made good use of all their recent draft picks, bringing in Paul Statsny and now Wojtek Wolski (who easily has the best name in the entire NHL) who both had 20-goal seasons last year. Joe Sakic capped another 100 point season, finishing sixth overall.

The team only got better with the acquisition of Ryan Smyth, whose solid two way play will help a defense that was iffy last season. They ranked 23rd in penalty killing and ranked 18th overall in defense. That has to improve if they are going to contend for the playoffs, let alone the Stanley Cup. Jordan Leopold has to stay healthy for this blue-line unit to have a hope, but that hasn’t exactly been his strength over the past two seasons.

Goaltending in Colorado is an enormous concern, and that can’t be expressed enough. Peter Budaj was good enough for a 31-16-6 record last year, but nobody knows if he’s capable of improving. Not helping matters is paying Jose Theodore an absurd $6 million to open the gate from the bench all night.

The Avalanche are the heavy favorites to advance to the playoffs in light of Nashville’s expected decline. They are a talented team with solid scoring, but they must get off to a good start because it is unknown whether they can surge in the second half like they did last year. Expect big things out of Captain Joe as Ryan Smyth comes to the Rockies to make the Avs a playoff force once more.

BetUS is your NHL betting home. With preseason futures to hockey odds, lines and wagering on every game, we're with you from the opening puck drop 'til the horn sounds on the Stanley Cup finals. For articles, picks and information, head to the BetUS Locker Room. Join BetUS today to bet on hockey and receive a $50 free play, a Miss BetUS calendar/Swimsuit DVD and the best sports betting action online. BetUS - We've got your game.

Official Website: www.coloradoavalanche.com