NHL betting – Time to prove who’s the NHL’s best player
- Capitals vs Penguins betting: Ovie and Crosby square off
- Red Wings vs Ducks betting: Datsyuk finding his form
Wednesday’s NHL sports betting schedule is relatively light, with just four games on tap, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a few doozies for fans. In a matchup that always has those who bet on hockey licking their chops, Alexander Ovechkin takes on Sidney Crosby in the Capitals vs Penguins line. Meanwhile, coach Mike Babcock and his powerhouse Detroit Red Wings travel to Anaheim to face his old team in the Red Wings vs Ducks line.
Capitals vs Penguins odds – Wednesday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET
What happened? Normally, a Capitals vs Penguins line would need no introduction; Alexander the GR8 vs Sid the Kid meant two Eastern-Conference superpowers colliding. The Caps have fulfilled their end of the bargain, storming out to a 27-13-3 record through Monday’s games. The Pens, however, have been shadows of their former selves, losing eight of 10 and posting a mediocre 20-19-4 record through Monday. Amazingly, that placed them three points out of the East playoff picture.
Will Pittsburgh rebound? Maybe slightly. Sergei Gonchar’s return will help, and any team boasting Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can only stay down so long. But those who bet on hockey should understand that this Pens team seriously lacks depth and will only be a low playoff seed – should they make the playoffs at all.
Do the numbers suggest Washington is the better pick? Not necessarily. The Caps had dropped two straight games through Monday. Much of their sterling record is also padded by their phenomenal 18-2-1 home mark. They’re just 9-11-2 on the road, meaning they’re vulnerable heading into Pittsburgh.
No online betting fan can deny the Pens are in a tailspin. Consequently, no one can deny that a home game against the Caps should motivate Pittsburgh like few others. Even if it means Sid the Kid does all the work himself, hockey betting players should expect the Pens to be fired up when Ovechkin and company come to Mellon Arena. Bet on Pittsburgh to get back in the win column, even though it may turn out to be an anomaly.
Red Wings vs Ducks odds – Wednesday, January 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET
So the Wings are back firing on all cylinders. Ho-hum. Don’t be surprised, NHL betting fans. They’re still as talented as any team in the league.
After kicking off 2009 in style with a big win over Chicago in the NHL Winter Classic, the Red Wings haven’t lost in regulation yet this year. A big reason: the improved play of netminder Ty Conklin, who has produced a 3-0 record, 1.67 GAA and .939 save percentage in ’09. It was only a matter of time for Conklin; he excels when given regular playing time, and Chris Osgood’s recent groin woes opened the door for him. Those who bet on hockey should expect him to be strong against a Ducks team lacking scoring depth with Teemu Selanne on the shelf.
Another reason why Detroit (13-4-4 on the road) looks good in the Red Wings vs Ducks line: Pavel Datsyuk is back to being Pavel Datsyuk, with 25 points in his last 14 games. He’ll terrorize whoever ends up between the pipes for the Ducks Wednesday. Even though Jean-Sebastien Giguere wound up the All-Star game starter, the hotter Jonas Hiller would give the Ducks a better chance to win right now.
Bet on the Red Wings to take this one but expect a close contest, with sizzling rookie sniper Bobby Ryan keeping the Ducks in it.
For more on sportsbook odds or Capitals vs Penguins betting, bookmark the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
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.
