NHL betting handicappers are coming back for more with the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins as the top choices in the Eastern Conference for 2010-11.
Disappointments Last Spring
The Penguins were the defending Stanley Cup Champions entering last year’s playoffs and the Capitals were considered to be the top challenger to take the Cup away from them. Instead they were both upset by the upstart Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs as heavy overlays. Despite that setback the Pens and Caps are still considered to be the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference. Washington opened at Sbg global as a +240 choice with Pittsburgh right behind at +265.
Plenty to Prove
Ovechkin has lit up the league in the regular season and has saved the franchise in Washington but the NHL bet upset failure in last year’s playoffs was a major setback and really stung. Washington has proven nothing until they can make it to the conference finals.
A new Igloo
The Pittsburgh Penguins could be a team that jumps out early with NHL betting momentum as they enter a sparkling new arena and have the best player from North America in Sidney Crosby. Crosby is the Olympic Hero of Canada from last year that has already also won a Stanley Cup. Until Ovechkin puts his name on the cup he cannot be considered the equal of Crosby, despite the big numbers.
Other Alternatives
Montreal proved last year that big name high priced talent is not enough to secure a name on Lord Stanley’s Cup or to win a NHL bet. The New Jersey Devils could make for an attractive alternative at +800 to win the Eastern Conference. The Devils are the ultimate system team that cranks out wins each year as players come and go.
Another potential bargain would by the Buffalo Sabres at +1100 to win the Eastern Conference. The Sabres have USA Olympic hero Ryan Miller between the pipes which makes them a potential payout threat any time they take the ice. Miller won 41 games and had 2.22 goals against average last year.
Defending Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia is at +1100 to repeat and while they have the offense to get the job done defense remains a serious concern as was demonstrated in their loss to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals.