NHL Hockey Betting - Ottawa Senators

NHL Betting 2007 – Ottawa Senators
Manager: Bryan Murray
Arena: Scotiabank Place
Last Season: 48-25-9, 105 pts (2nd Northeast, 4th Eastern Conference)
2007 Prediction: 1st Eastern Conference

Preseason Odds to win Stanley Cup: +750

They turned out to be the real deal after all. After years of rampaging through the regular season, only to get snuffed in the playoffs, the Senators finally broke through to the Stanley Cup finals. Then they got turned inside-out by the Anaheim Ducks. They’ve tasted success. Now they want more.

There is nothing standing in their way this year (besides 14 other Eastern Conference teams) because they essentially return to the 2007-08 season as the same squad they were last year. Anytime Alfredsson-Heatley-Spezza hit the ice, they are a threat to score and showed last season they had a chemistry that was virtually impossible to stop. The loss of Mike Comrie was bigger than some may believe, but the offense has solid depth and Mike Fisher and Shean Donovan will be ready to bolster the offense.

The defense was third best in the East because Anton Volchenkov and Chris Phillips formed the most unlikely duo in the entire league. They became a force of nature in the playoffs, shutting down every single top-line they ran in to. Behind them, veteran Wade Redden must prove that he can stay injury-free.

Ray Emery is a young and cocky goaltender. The latter trait is perhaps his most important because the kid plays with swagger and has the confidence of his team. He went 33-16-6 last year and allowed only 2.47 goals against on average. Martin Gerber is an excellent backup option.

The Sens are one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, and rightfully so. In the weak Eastern Conference, they are easily the best team in the Conference. The Rangers are stealing the hype, but the Senators have the team chemistry, confidence and coaching to excel at a high level. This offense and Emery’s superb goaltending will continue to reward the Senators hockey betting investors throughout this season.

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Official Website: www.ottawasenators.com