NHL Betting – Devils, Wings head up nice parlay pick
Posted on 11/6/2008 3:49:42 PM
By Don Melrose
NHL betting: Saturday’s best hockey match-ups
-
Tough schedule in terms of value
-
Defending champs defending the trap
-
Lightning in for some brotherly love
Sports betting enthusiasts have a full slate of NHL odds on Saturday night, making for a great opportunity to participate in NHL parlay betting. Now that we’re a month into the NHL betting season, the frontrunners and bottom feeders have been clearly defined, which should make life much easier if you like to bet on hockey.
With NHL lines growing as the standings take shape, parlay betting becomes a great option for those seeking value this weekend.
Game #1: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Philadelphia Flyers
While Lightning head coach Barry Melrose has updated his hairdo to reflect the new millennium, it appears that the game of hockey has passed him by. The formerly mullet-clad coach enjoyed his best years as the bench boss of the Los Angeles Kings, harnessing an abundance of talent including Wayne Gretzky, Jarri Kurri and Luc Robitaille.
However, Melrose has already feuded with first-round draft pick Steven Stamkos and is quite lucky he coaches in the Southeast Division. Otherwise, he’d be sitting in dead last.
Tampa squandered an early lead and lost to a Brodeur-less New Jersey Devils squad on Wednesday night, which was indicative of the Lightning’s tenacity as a club.
The Flyers started the season slowly due to injuries to minute-munching defenseman Randy Jones and No. 1-center Daniel Briere. However, Philly has clawed its way back to respectability in the tough Northeast Division and has begun scoring in bunches.
Thanks to the slow start the Flyers actually have fewer points than the Lightning so, despite being at home, the NHL betting lines will remain respectable and add value to your parlay. Bet on the Flyers to simply out work the Lightning and John Stevens to out-coach ol’ Barry.
Game #2: New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings
Who better to break the neutral-zone trap than a man who employs a variation of it himself (the left-wing lock), Red Wings coach Mike Babcock? Sure, Babcock couldn’t lead the Mighty Ducks past the Devils in 2003—but now instead of Jason Krog and Stanislav Chistov the perennial Jack Adams candidate has Marian Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk at his disposal.
The Devils will be without star goaltender Martin Brodeur for two or three months, which will make them NHL betting whipping boys for quite some time. Remember, if you’re going to put your money on New Jersey, you’re suggesting Kevin Weekes will be able to stymie the defending Stanley Cup champions. It’s one of the easier NHL picks of the week--bet on the Red Wings.
For more insight into NHL betting, NHL odds and hockey parlays, visit the Betting Edge every week for more NHL picks.
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.
