NHL Betting Preview - Western Conference Central Division

The Odds:

Detroit Red Wings +110
Chicago Blackhawks+120
St. Louis Blues +800
Columbus Blue Jackets +1600
Nashville Predators +1600

The Favorites

The Detroit Red Wings are the only thing in Detroit not in desperate need of a bailout. Year after year they continue to be the class of the NHL. This year will be no different, with the core of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom returning, along with a very underrated Chris Osgood. Add in youngsters Justin Abdelkader and Ville Leino and the Wings have no reason not to continue as Stanley Cup favorites.

The Chicago Blackhawks, despite an eventful offseason, have emerged as the top contender to the Red Wings Central crown. Patrick Kane may be 20 cents lighter, but he can score with the best of them. Jonathan Toews is emerging as one of the best young leaders in the game, and the addition of Marian Hossa will provide another scoring threat as well as a solid veteran presence. The only question with Chicago is goaltending. Cristobal Huet struggled at times, and the Hawks no longer have Nikolai Khabibulin as insurance. If Huet struggles, the team will be in trouble.

The Sleepers

Last season the St. Louis Blues stormed out of the All-Star break to rise from 14th to 6th in the Western Conference and make the playoffs. Credit Head Coach Andy Murray and the emergence of goalie Chris Mason. The Blues won’t have the luxury of sneaking up on anyone this season, but have a chance to make some noise if they continue the strong play they showcased late last season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets made their first postseason last year on the back of goalie and Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason. Now one year older, Mason is expected to carry the load once again and prove he was not a one-year wonder. Rick Nash and Antoine Vermette provide the offense for what is clearly the best Blue Jackets team in franchise history.

The Long Shot

The Nashville Predators are a long shot, but only by default. They were quiet in the offseason and that could come back to haunt them. The Preds do have the pieces to be a contender, mainly in defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, and sophomore goalie Pekka Rinne. The Predators only barely missed the playoffs last year, and with luck could sneak in by season’s end.

Outlook

St. Louis and Columbus will more than likely be returning to the playoffs, and Nashville will probably end the season as the NHL’s best last place team. However the real fight will be between Chicago and Detroit for the Central crown.

While it’s a classic fight of youth versus experience, the deciding factor may be the 2010 Winter Olympics. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Franzen, Kronwall and Rafalski are all expected to participate in the men’s hockey tournament. Conversely, only Kane, Byfuglin and Hossa for Chicago are locks to head to Vancouver for the Olympics. In the end, the Red Wings may be too worn out to compete against a younger, hungrier Blackhawks team.

Pick: Chicago Blackhawks