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World Cup betting players will see club rivals put their differences aside for the big tournament in South Africa, but in the NHL, there are a couple of players looking to heap pressure on their former teams. Michael Leighton was drafted by Chicago in 1999 with the 165th pick, and he had a debut to remember, earning a shutout. Then he was shuttled off to Buffalo, Nashville, Philadelphia and Carolina, bouncing between the minors and the NHL. He ended up back in Philadelphia, and the rest is history: Leighton has stepped up every time the Flyers have needed him to this season in the face of injuries, especially in the postseason with Brian Boucher going down. He has faced the Blackhawks once, stopping 39 of 41 shots in a 3-2 win at home in March.  Patrick Sharp was drafted 95th by Philadelphia in 2001, but failed to stick with the big team after four teams before he was moved to Chicago. The move has paid off for Sharp, as he has increased his point total in his five years in the Windy City, except for last year when he was injured. Sharp has a goal in four career games against the Flyers, but he's currently third on the Blackhawks in playoff points with 16, anchoring a strong second line with Marian Hossa and Troy Brouwer. You could even argue that if Jonathan Toews wasn't in town, Sharp would be the Chicago captain, that's how much respect he has in the locker room, and he will be out to end the Flyers' betting chances.
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 World Cup betting players don't have to worry about players getting traded, especially captains, but it's a reality in today's professional club sports. There is a real possibility that Calgary could be looking to move their longtime captain. Jarome Iginla has played with Calgary for all 13 of his NHL seasons, and he has been the captain of the team since the 2003-04 season. But the Flames missed the playoffs last year, and Iginla's 32 goals was his lowest output since he scored 31 in the 2000-2001 season. Iginla notched 69 points, and for the second straight year, he ended up on the wrong side of the plus/minus ledger with a rating of -2. In Iginla's defense, Flames coach Brent Sutter juggled Iginla's centers all season, from Olli Jokinen (who was then traded to New York) to Matt Stajan (who came over in the Dion Phaneuf trade with Toronto) to Craig Conroy (who just isn't a good player anymore). Iginla's 69 points was still 11 points better than Rene Bourque, then you have Daymond Langkow at 37 points. That isn't a lot of production from their other lines, which allows teams to focus more on Iginla and his linemates. The better solution here would be for the Flames to get some help for their captain, as there would be an outrage in Calgary if they traded "Iggy" (who ironically was born in Edmonton, Calgary's provincial rivals), and after looking at the Phaneuf trade, do you trust general manager Darryl Sutter to get anything back that is worthwhile? If we had to place a bet online, we'd wager on Jaroma Iginla remaining in Calgary next season. |
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A lot of people have been focused on the horse racing this weekend and the upcoming Belmont Stakes. Others are just hardcore football fans and can't put down their football betting guide or their ncaa football betting tips. But by the time you look up and pay attention to the Eastern Conference Finals in the NHL, the Montreal Canadiens might be on the golf course. The same Habs who knocked out the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals and the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, find themselves in an 0-2 hole in the Conference Finals. What's the difference? How about this man: The Canadiens faced some soft defense in the opening round of the playoffs and even more so in round two. Suffice to say, the Caps and Pens have nobody like Chris Pronger. The Habs only have one scoring line and the Flyers have made sure to have Chris Pronger on the ice for it. So far the Habs have produced zero goals in two games, which is a big problem. The venues change but we'll see if the results do. They should be a home favorite for Game 3 on the sports betting odds but so far, the Habs have been shutout by Michael Leighton and the Flyers through two games. |
Yesterday Washington Capital fans were treated to a great surprise as star centre Nicklas Backstrom was signed to a 10 year $67 million contract extension, becoming the second richest player on the team to star winger Alexander Ovechkin. Capitals fans for a minimum of 21 years have two of the best players in the league locked up. Wagers should place a bet online today predicting when defenseman Mike Green and goaltender Seymon Varlamov will be signed to large contracts as well.  When it comes to NHL betting for a team such as the Washington Capitals many fans have become confused, as they have become the San Jose Sharks of the Eastern Conference. That is to say, with such a young highly talented roster that dominates the regular season the way the Capitals do, fans should expect them to carry over the regular season success into the playoffs. Similar to the Sharks out West prior to this year however, (Sharks are in the Western Conference final for the first time since 2003) the Capitals have yet to transfer their success into a long playoff run and Stanley Cup. With Ovechkin and now Backstrom locked up for the next two decades, Capital fans have every right to expect long playoff runs and multiple titles, but with such early era woes was signing Backstrom a 100 point man in his own right the correct move to make? Backstrom has proven that he can play without Ovechkin and still put up at least 90 points, and one must wonder if Backstrom will want to be Ovechkin's bridesmaid for the next 10 years as Ovechkin is both the captain of the Capitals and reigning MVP. |
Thus far, this has been one of the more physical series of this postseason. While the Bruins hold a commanding two games to none lead, it is far from over. There are still a few important factors to consider for the sports betting fans. Philadelphia Flyers One thing is for sure, the flyers will not go down without a bitter fight. The first game had to go into overtime and the second was decided by one goal scored by an unlikely scorer in Milan Lucic. By no stretch were the two games easy for the Bruins. Yes, there were times when Boston seemed the more superior team. However, the Flyers have been able to battle back and keep both games awfully close. Had the few lucky bounces gone to the Flyers rather than the Bruins, and it would have been two to nothing the other way. Coming back to their own building, the Flyers hope that their luck is about to change. Of course the team will have to play better to create their lucky beaks, but as whole, they look that they have what it takes to take down the Bruins. Boston Bruins The heroes for Boston in this series have come as a surprise. In game one, Savard scored the overtime winner in his first game back from a serious concussion. Miroslav Satan emerged in the playoffs to be a key player for the Bruins. In game two, Milan Lucic scores the go-ahead goal with 2:57 to go in the third period. It seems that these unlikely heroes had luck on their side. Now that the series shifts to Philadelphia, can the Bruins come up with any more clutch plays? It looks like the NHL betting odds makers feel that home ice advantage will help Philadelphia in game three. Maybe the luck of the Bruins will be jinxed by the roar of the Flyer's faithful. Prediction Philadelphia takes game three, but again, by a small goal margin. |
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