NHL Hockey Betting - Tampa Bay Lightning

NHL Betting 2007-08 - Tampa Bay Lightening
Manager: John Tortorella
Arena: St. Pete Times Forum
Last Season: 44-33-5, 93 pts (2nd Southeast, 7th Eastern Conference)
2008 Prediction: 9th Eastern Conference

Preseason Odds to win Stanley Cup: +4000

We refuse to believe that any one-trick pony can succeed in the new NHL. The Lightning are just that. They are a one-line team with a shallow and vulnerable defense and no goaltending. Why anyone would invest their hard earned hockey betting cash in this team to win the Stanley Cup is beyond me.

Vincent Lecavlier and Martin St. Louis not only hogged all the scoring in Tampa Bay (both topped 100 points last season), they also suck up a huge portion of the salary cap as well. Tampa spent the rest on Brad Richards who makes an absurd $7.8 million and scored a mediocre 70 points last season. After that, there is little to nothing to get excited about on this offense.

Dan Boyle continues to be a great defenseman and will certainly cash in at season’s end, and have some size with bruiser Shane O’Brien in the mix. Paul Ranger is the future of the Lightning, but he’s not ready to take the mantle just yet. Needless to say, the defense is a little lackluster and will offer very little protection for Johan Holmqvist, who was erratic at best in the crease. He was ranked 28th amongst all goaltenders. For those of you who were keeping track, there are only thirty teams in the league.

In the new NHL, having depth and being dynamic offensively are the key to success (ex: 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres). The Lightning have neither. They keep their fingers crossed that Lecavlier and St. Louis will light the lamp all season, but there is no way any NHL team can depend on just two scorers to get to the Stanley Cup Finals, let alone win it.

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Official Website: www.tampabaylightning.com