East favored in NHL All-Star betting
Sports betting: hockey’s finest players gather in Montreal
- WHO: The best players in the NHL
- WHAT: The 57th NHL All-Star Game
- WHEN: Sunday, January 25 at 6:00 PM ET
- WHERE: Bell Center in Montreal, QC
- KEY STATS: The East has won two of its last three meetings with the West
- PICK: Eastern Conference
The 57th edition of the NHL All-Star Game is slated to take place in Montreal on Sunday, and the game takes on extra significance as it is the 100th anniversary of the Canadiens. Four Habs start for the East and, as a result, the crowd will play a huge part in who wins this NHL All-Star Game betting matchup.
The biggest news in the East camp is that Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby will miss the game for the second straight year with a knee injury. “Sid the Kid” set a record for votes, which means a lot of disappointed fans.
But the Canadiens will be heavily represented by four starters, including Alexei Kovalev, who was named the captain of the squad. Other big names include Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin, who leads the league in goals, and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, who paces the NHL in assists and points.
The defending Stanley Cup champions from Detroit had Niklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk in the West lineup, but both will miss the event with injuries. Instead, the West will be led by young guns Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews of the resurgent Chicago Blackhawks, while San Jose, which leads the conference in points, is represented by Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle and Patrick Marleau. Thornton was named the captain of the West team for his efforts this season.
NHL All-Star Game betting has the East as -145 favorites, and the East has won two of its last three meetings with the West, including last season’s 8-7 victory in Atlanta in what was surprisingly a competitive game. The presence of the Canadiens in the lineup, especially Kovalev as captain, will be a huge boost to the East players as the fans will in full voice.
DON'S PICK: The home team has also won the last two All-Star games, and I expect this to be no different. Bet on the Eastern Conference on Sunday.
For more NHL All-Star Game betting odds or lines, visit the Betting Edge and offshore sportsbook.
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.
