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Archive for category NHL

NHL Betting – The Torch Is Theirs For The Canadiens To Hold High

Apr 20

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Stanley CupWhen Montreal Canadiens’ legend Jean Beliveau walked towards the Bell Centre ice with the franchise’s torch held high, the sell-out crowd stood tall and cheered at what they were witnessing. The first Canadiens’ home game of the 2011 NHL playoffs, and with 24 Stanley Cup banners hanging from the rafters a reminder of all that has been accomplished and all that can be this postseason. Montreal came close to reaching the big one before falling short in the Eastern conference finals a year ago, but after taking the first two games of their opening round series against the division rival Boston Bruins, the optimism in the city is alive. The Canadiens would lose game three to their Original Six opponents, but even after winning the first two few thought they would sweep the series.Montreal’s focus now turns to game four, and with every intention on embarking on another long run as the Kentucky derby betting approaches.

The Canadiens have shown early on that they have the speed and skill to compete with the best in the conference. Goaltender Carey Price has been the team’s most valuable player all season, and that has continued into the opening round. With Price keeping Montreal in every game, their systemic approach and opportunistic style has allowed them to show how dangerous they can be. The Canadiens have gotten scoring from all three lines in the postseason, just enough to compliment the play of Price in the first two games. If they can continue to move with that magic, there is no reason to think that hockey’s proudest franchise can’t make it over that sports betting hump and go all the way to the Stanley Cup finals in 2011.

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NHL Voids Kovalchuk’s Contract

Aug 12

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espn_g_kovalchuck_300This year’s annual flexing of the muscles by the NHL comes at the expense of star winger Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils. In the middle of July, Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils agreed on one of the biggest contracts in the history of sports, at 17 years and $102 million. Devils fans futures betting online for their team to become the next NHL dynasty were foaming at the mouth when Kovalchuk agreed to such a long contract. However sports betting fans around the world were disgusted at how much money Kovalchuk was receiving when the question on everyone’s mind was, what has he accomplished lately?

Enter the NHL administration, who after last year’s disaster with the Phoenix Coyotes, felt they should step in and nullify the deal between the Devils and Kovalchuk. Last year as many may recall, Blackberry founder Jim Balsille a diehard hockey fan with a lot of money, attempted to buy the struggling Phoenix Coyotes franchise and move the team to Southern Ontario. The goal was to not only make the Coyotes an instant money maker in Southern Ontario’s untapped hockey market, but also to show that owners still want to win.

However, the NHL’s administration similar to the Kovalchuk situation decided to flex their muscles and disallow Balsille from buying the Coyotes and move them back to Canada. Ever since the NHL lockout in 2004 – 2005 when the salary cap was instituted, it appears more and more that the NHL under current Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly want to run the league as a dictatorship rather than a democracy.

For instance, one of the pushing points for nullifying the Kovalchuk deal is that it undermines the salary cap on an ethical standpoint. Essentially the contract is setup so that over the first 10 years of the contract Kovalchuk makes seven million a season. Yet for the last seven years he makes the league minimum, and many believe Kovalchuk will retire before the contract finishes. Now the only trouble with this is that it gives the Devils cap relief they may not have had, if Kovalchuk signed a 10 year deal at $102 million. After voiding Kovalchuk’s contract, the NHL is deciding whether to void several other superstars contracts to send a message about trying to get around the salary cap.

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2011 Stanley Cup Prediction

Aug 12

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logo_stanley_cup_2008jpgSports betting fans are beginning to get their predictions in for who will win the 2010 – 2011 Stanley Cup. Well online betting enthusiasts beware as although this offseason was quiet in terms of free agent talent, one of the busiest teams will be this year’s Stanley Cup winner.

That’s right fans out in Canada, this year we think that a Canadian team will finally break the 17 year curse. Ever since the Montreal Canadians won the Stanley Cup back in 1993 against the Los Angeles Kings, no Canadian team has been able to hoist the greatest prize in all of sports. However, Vancouver Canucks fans, your 16 year drought without making it to a final may be over this year.

This offseason, the busiest team from June 26th the day of the NHL Entry Draft until now were the boys on the West Coast. Already having a relatively solid core of the Sedin brothers, Ryan Kessler, Alex Burrows, Mason Raymond and Roberto Luongo, Canucks GM Mike Gillis felt his team was lacking a punch. Instead of improve from within the organization, Gillis went out and bought two of the best defenseman in the league in Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard. On top of this, Gillis felt his bottom six forwards were really lacking, so he went out and got the best faceoff man and penalty killer in the game, Manny Malholtra.

Although he acquired all of the free agents mentioned above, perhaps the biggest move Gillis made was finally deciding on bringing up goalie prospect Cory Schneider. Fans when the Canucks hoist the 2010-2011 version of Lord Stanley’s Mug, you can thank Schneider. Essentially on any other team Schneider is your starting goalie, but on Vancouver he will be the backup goalie to long term star goalie Roberto Luongo.

Why Will This Move Put Them Over The Top?

Since Luongo arrived in Vancouver, the man has been a workhorse averaging at least 70 games a season. As a result by the time the Canucks get to the playoffs, Luongo is on his last legs and can’t make it through a long playoff drive. Enter Schneider, who himself is a workhorse. Do not be surprised if two things occur this season, first Schneider plays at least 25 to 30 games which will give Luongo enough time to rest. Secondly, Schneider has been amazing in the minors to say the least. If he can convert that success to the big show, and Luongo struggles in the playoffs, do not be surprised if Schneider comes in and guides the Canucks to their first Stanley Cup.

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NHL Betting Tip

Apr 30

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The second round of the NHL playoffs brings brand new online betting opportunities. Here are a few things to look out for.

Pittsburgh Will Beat Montreal

After pulling off one of the most incredible upsets in NHL history, the Canadiens are set to face the Penguins. Can they come up with another upset? That is highly unlikely. Pittsburgh is stronger in goal and will play with more grit against Montreal than the Capitals. Look for the Stall line to make a major contribution in this series. The Penguins are likely to take the series in six.

In the latter part of the first round the Penguins looked more solid and played with more confidence than they did out of the gate. The NHL odds are heavily favoring Pittsburgh to take the first game. Even if Montreal will be able to hold Malkin and Crosby, the Penguins are better at spreading the puck around to the open man without relying on the top guns. Look for the Penguins to have better success on the power play than the Capitals. Halak has had an incredible streak, but that streak is about to end.

Philadelphia Will Beat Boston

This series has all the ingredients to be a hard fought battle. Betting odds are showing that Boston is favored to take game one. However, they are not heavy favorites to do so. There is good reason for that, as other than home ice advantage, Boston is not the stronger team going in.

The Flyers were able to dispose of New Jersey in five games and have looked very impressive in the postseason. It just so happens to be that some teams are better built for the playoffs than the regular season. Philadelphia is one of those teams.

It is highly likely that Philadelphia will disappoint the Northbet betting odds and steal game one from the Bruins.