posted October 7, 2006 at 15:17 EST in NHL Articles

Crosby to shine?

Montreal Canadiens +1.5(-240) at. Maple Leafs -1.5(+200)
These two teams will meet each other 8 times this year, this one being one of the most important games. This old time rivalry dates back to the early 1900’s and will once again be a heated battle as this fresh season begins.

Montreal is coming into this season after suffering an injury filled playoff run that they lost to eventual Stanley cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. The Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1998-99 season. Paul Maurice steps in behind the bench for Toronto, with a new attitude and desire to bring the playoff atmosphere back to the city. Having a core of players that have remained, and enough new blood to add to the collection of the die hard fan that needs another jersey. This Toronto team is not a small team as they have 9 players that 6’4 or bigger. Leaving the question, are they quick enough. Andrew Raycroft will man the pipes in this one as he will have to remain steady as the fast paced Canadiens will be sure to give him all the work he can handle. With sharp shooters Alexi Kovalov, Saku Koivu and newly acquired Sergei Samsonov, you know he will need his “A” game or this could turn into point night quickly. Not only can the Habs score, they recently added Janne Niinamaa to the mix providing a steady defense core with Andrei Markov, Sheldon Souray and Craig Rivet seeing the bulk of the ice time. Matts Sundin comes off his12th, 30 plus goal season leading the attack for the Buds. Alex Steen enters his second season after a tremendous rookie year, combining with Michael Peca fresh off a playoff run with the Edmonton Oilers. Kyle Wellwood will push for more ice time as he tries to earn the respect from the league. As for Darcy Tucker, I doubt your tough guy faces will do anything to intimidate the new mental toughness instated from head coach Guy Carbonneau. This game has the making of a playoff type atmosphere as both teams will want to make a statement so early in the season. It won’t be a defensive battle that’s for sure, as it will be football score in this one. Toronto has home ice advantage in this one, but Montreal is coming into this with a desire to win and will use their speed to dominate the slower D-core of the Maple Leafs. Montreal will fly into the Air Canada Center and depart terminal 2 with the W and Hal Gill will still be looking around trying to figure out what happened.

Prediction: Montreal to cover, over looks good

 

Buffalo Sabres +1.5(-240) Sabres at Ottawa Senetors -1.5(+200)
What can you say about the Buffalo Sabres other then you gotta love them. Losing last year in the 7th game of the Conference finals to the eventual champions, they showed determination and stuck together through an injury filled playoff run. With the core coming back this team will be a force to reckon with. Daniel Briere and Chris Drury share the Captains duties and will lead this team down the path to another 100 point season. Derek Roy is out to prove that he is true NHLer and will contribute to a quick and shifty offence. The Sabers are backstopped by one of the best new goalies in the league in one MSU Spartan named Ryan Miller. The young goaltender is turning heads and making a name for himself quickly. Across the surface he will try to beat Martin Gerber who is determined to answer the age old question in Ottawa “did we get the right goalie to lead us to the promise land”. Jason Spezza continues to grow and will use his playmaking ability to feed snipers Danny Heatley and rookie Pattrick Eaves to help pad his stats. Captain Daniel Alfredson gets ready for another season coming off a 100 point season. Where the team might lack is in the defensive zone as they lost all-star defenseman Zedeno Chara. The organization is hoping sophomore Andrej Meszaros will step up and fill that void. Steady Dmen, Wade Redden and Chris Phillips will have to log a lot of minutes in order to give the Senators a chance. Ottawa had a lack luster home opening performance and will come out gunning to win but won’t be able to slow the fast moving Sabers. It’s early in the year but Buffalo always plays like it’s the last game of the season. Ottawa is still trying to find their footing and I think they were embarrassed enough by the Maple Leafs that might make them go Buffalo hunting. The Sabers and there new uniforms and coming into the capital city at the wrong time as Ottawa will win this for their second win of the season.

Prediction: Ottawa to cover, the over looks good

NHL ODDS

New York Rangers +1.5(-250) at. Philadelphia Flyers -1.5(+210)
There is a new leader at the MSG as Jaromir Jagr dawns the letter C on his jersey. Proving that he is equal to the task Jags scored 29 second into the season. Brendan Shanahan brings his act to broadway and will fit nicely with crafty forwards Martin Straka and Michael Nylander. Henrick Lundqvist stands tall in the cage and will use his cool, calm style to provide the backstop job for red white and blue. Ken Hitchcock has worked his Flyers hard throughout training camp, demanding a winning attitude. Arguably one of the best coaches in the game he will have to find a way to motivate this star studded team. Peter Forsberg will try and remain healthy and guide the Flyers back to their winning ways. Derian Hatcher has come to camp 15 pounds lighter preparing himself for the new NHL. Simon Gagne will form one of the most dynamic duos in the NHL with Forsberg and will continue to fill the net. The question for this separated group is in goal, as there is still and undetermined number one. Robert Esche and Antero Niittymaki will fight it out for the bulk of the duties. This is still a big question for the Flyers and the Rangers will take advantage of Philly in this department, peppering the backstop who won the flip to play this game. Even though the Flyers have a high powered offence that can match the New Yorkers, they won’t be able to stop this Ranger team that is trying to show the Big Apple that there is more to life then the Yankees. This will be a tight game for most of it but will open up near the end when these teams start to tire. Rangers should win this one on ability alone. Thanks for the memories Mess but Jag’s runs this show now!!!

Prediction: Rangers to cover, with the under

Detroit Red Wings -1.5(+180) at Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5(-220)
Hockey Town is still in mourning as the Red Wings have lost the longest serving captain in the NHL in Steve Yzerman. Detroit lost their season opener to the Vancouver Canucks which hopefully won’t be a fainted walk into the desert for the Red Wing faithfuls. With a back end that includes 4 time Norris Trophy winner Nicholas Lidstrom, 3 time winner Chris Chelios and Mathew Scheider and Dominek Hasek in net. The Red Wings will create chances off of defense. Forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Henrick Zetterberg like to hear there names announced and will provide most of the offensive threat. Jiri Hudler has been in the AHL for two seasons now under the watchful eye of Grand Rapids Griffins coach Greg Ireland and is ready for the jump to the big show. For the flightless birds, Young Gun Sydney Crosby wants to show the world that his first year was no fluke and will team with Evgeni Malkin when he gets back, but for now will be the driving force of the Penguins offence. Veterans Mark Recchi and John Leclair, will add some much needed experience to this team, but it’s the youthful energy that will be help them win. Pittsburgh ices the youngest team in the NHL having 3 teenagers in Crosby, Kristopher Letang and Jordan Staal who wants to follow in big brothers footsteps. Marc Andre Fleury had a dismal pre-season but showed signs of brilliance on opening day. If he can hold the fort back there and give these kids a chance to play, who knows where this team can go. Although Detroit has something to prove after there embarrassing season opener, I don’t think that Red Wings have enough gas in the motor city to skate with the high tempo Penguins. Grit and determination is starting to shine through this young squad and the Wings will have to grind it out with them in the corners in order to get the 2 points. This won’t be a high scoring affair, as the Red Wings still have some pride. If this moves to an open ice affair, I doubt they will be able to avoid a “play of the day” from Sid the Kid on your local sports network. Take the Penguins to win this one and leave the Wings wondering what the future will hold at 0-2. Charge up those Blackberrys as this Penguin team could hit some unexpected numbers.

Prediction: Penguins to cover, with the under

Tim Mason is a freelance columnist for BetUS. To email Tim Mason, send your comments to faceoff@betus.com