Posted on 1/22/2008 10:18:01 AM

NHL Betting – Top Shelf Rankings, Week 17

By Tim Furious

1. Detroit Red Wings (35-10-4)

After a skidding loss to the Senators and getting run out of the building against Atlanta, the Red Wings responded by beating Vancouver 3-2, and dismantling the Sharks in a 6-3 drubbing. As favorites, the Wings are 33-12 SU while going 23-25 against the puckline. Take the money when betting on the Wings and you’ll be rewarded over the long haul. They’ve never struggled against the Kings, and Anaheim will give them a serious test as their stars head to the All-Star Game this weekend.

This week: Detroit vs. LA (1/22), Detroit vs. Anaheim (1/23)

2. Philadelphia Flyers (26-15-5)

The Flyers launched up the rankings due to their staggering play during a four-game win streak where they are averaging a whopping 5.5 goals per game. Crushing the Senators 6-1 has asserted the resurgent Flyers as the new beast of the Eastern Conference. When you’re looking at our NHL futures, keep your eye on the underrated Flyers.

Do not be fooled by the Flyers record thus far. Philadelphia is only 13-11 as favorites this season. That should change as they start to pile up the wins, so get on the bandwagon now before Vegas catches up to the Flyers’ winning ways. The Flyers are proof that the top dogs in the NHL betting begin to separate from the wolves after the All-Star break.

This week: New Jersey vs. Philadelphia (1/22)

3. Dallas Stars (28-18-5)

A three game win streak has made the Stars a favorite amongst the betting community. They toppled the mighty San Jose Sharks at home in a 4-2 slaughter, while silencing the Blue Jackets with a 3-1 victory. The 5-2 throttling of the Anaheim Ducks has made them the favorite in their division.

The Stars have stunned the world by becoming a scoring tour de force. They light the lamp for 3.0 goals per game, while shutting teams down to 2.6 goals with the determined net-minding of one Marty Turco. They have a somewhat soft schedule, but their defensive play will likely lead to victories over Columbus and Buffalo before they get a chance to rest and hopefully bring back Philippe Boucher from injury after the break.

This week: Columbus vs. Dallas (1/22), Buffalo vs. Dallas (1/24)

4. Anaheim Ducks (27-18-6)

If you want a case study in chemistry, just watch an Anaheim Ducks game. With Niedermeyer heading the blue-line with Chris Pronger once more, the Ducks are finally showing the gumption that made them Stanley Cup Champions. Quietly, Todd Bertuzzi is erupting as a force in the crease again. Bertuzzi just ended a six-game point streak where he totaled 5 goals and 7 assists.

The Ducks are looking dangerous after a four-game win streak which was just snapped by the Dallas Stars. They are 16-6-4 on the road, making them a strong road play against the betting line. But keep wary of them on the road where they are only 11-12-2. The contest with Detroit this week should tell you all you need to know about who is the big bird in the Western Conference.

This week: Detroit vs. Anaheim (1/23)

5. Ottawa Senators (30-14-4)

The Senators bubble burst big time for them in January. Not only has Dany Heatley hit the injury reserve, now Daniel Afredsson has a mysterious hip injury that could see him miss significant time. The break came at a good time for the Sens.

Losing back-to-back games against Philadelphia and Tampa Bay have the Sens on the ropes in the East. And they are getting bloodied and bruised without a fully healthy top-line. They are 1-4 SU in their last five games and have some sneaky games against Florida and Tampa. The savvy betting investor might be wise to cash in on the injury riddled Senators while Ray Emery reveals his true colors as a mediocre netminder. A lot changes between the pipes when you don’t have Afredsson and Heatley burning holes in the oppositions net for you.

This week: Ottawa vs. Florida (1/22), Ottawa vs. Tampa Bay (1/24)

6. Montreal Canadiens (24-15-8)

The Canadiens loyal and blood thirsty fan base is one of the best in the world. They are tied for fifth with 3.0 goals per game, while averaging 29.3 shots per game. They are a deep and talented roster, which rocks the second best power play in the NHL betting odds today. They have become a betting favorite, despite surprising lapses against Pittsburgh and the Rangers.

The betting line against Boston is steep because the Bruins haven’t challenged Montreal in a long while. Montreal is only 12-12 as a favorite, and 12-11 as a dog. But their recent play has given their betting investor hope that they can keep playing at such a high level throughout the second half of the season.

This week: Boston vs. Montreal (1/22), Montreal vs. New Jersey (1/24)

7. Vancouver Canucks (25-18-5)

Just when you thought it was safe to back the Knuckleheads in the sportsbook, they burn down their reputation with a 1-4 SU record over their last five tests. Their defense is misleading. Although they allow 2.4 points per game, it is in large part due to the inhuman net-minding of Roberto Luongo who has to continually stand on his head in the crease.

The Canucks are lacking consistent offensive production, but a lot of that changes at home. They are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games in GM Place and have some favorable matchups. Both Minnesota and St. Louis are surly underdogs not to be taken lightly, so keep your eye on the locker room for more info as these games inch closer.

This week: Minnesota vs. Vancouver (1/21), St. Louis vs. Vancouver (1/23)

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