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Canadiens look to avenge playoff loss
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Capitals’ Ovechkin back and in MVP form
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Plenty of scoring to be expected
NHL betting fans have gone through a whirlwind of ups and downs as of late, with plenty of injuries, absences, trades and front-office shake-ups that have made the world of hockey wagering a tough place to be in.
One such example of the recent insanity is the Washington Capitals—everyone’s preseason darling on NHL odds, favored on NHL futures to win the Southeast Division handily and breeze into the playoffs. While the Caps are well on their way to doing just that, they sure haven’t taken the easy road thus far.
Washington was without superstar Alexander Ovechkin (personal reasons) and Jose Theodore (injury) for roughly two weeks, and was a big underdog throughout its eastern road trip.
Who would have thought backup netminder Brent Johnson would be the hottest goalie in the league, and that second line winger Alexander Semin would be the NHL’s leading scorer? Suddenly, the hard times look as though they have helped the Capitals, who return Ovechkin to the lineup and a healthy Theodore to platoon with Johnson.
This Saturday, the Caps travel to the swamp to meet up with the New Jersey Devils, who have fallen under hard times of their own. Future Hall-of-Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and, since he went on the shelf, the practitioners of the neutral-zone trap have been a dismal 1-4-1. Either Kevin Weekes or Scott Clemmensen will be in net for the Devils, which should be the equivalent of shooting water into a sieve for the Capitals snipers. Bet on Washington.
However, everything has been going as expected for the Montreal Canadiens, who hover near the top of the Eastern Conference standings with just two regulation losses this season—just as early NHL lines predicted. Alex Tanguay has burst onto the scene for Montreal and quickly become its leading scorer, meshing very well with linemate Alex Kovalev.
In the crease, Carey Price is stifling all doubters—and shooters, for that matter—with a 7-2-1 record and .925 save percentage.
“Les Habitants” will be out for revenge against the Philadelphia Flyers, who ousted them in last year’s Conference semifinals. Centerman Daniel Briere re-aggravated an injury on Wednesday night and is likely to miss his Quebec homecoming.
The Flyers have enough trouble putting pucks in the net—not to mention keeping them out of their own—so the loss of their diminutive two-way pivot will only make matters worse. Keep an eye on the hockey betting lines as Saturday approaches, but Montreal looks to be a great value pick at home. Bet on the Canadiens.
For more Saturday night NHL picks, check the Betting Edge every Thursday as Don Melrose breaks down NHL betting and NHL odds for the weekend.
Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey
tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps,
breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
