Hockey Betting Odds - Penguins, Sharks will remain atop their conferences
NHL Odds: Pick Penguins / Sharks |
Saturday’s hockey betting odds may be the most exciting we’ve seen so far this year. You know it’s a big night for sports betting when the Capitals/Flyers (minus the suspended Alexander Ovechkin) and Red Wings/Devils games aren’t even the two best matchups of the night. Instead, we’ll focus on the Blackhawks/Penguins game and Flames/Sharks tilt.
| Hockey betting odds: Saturday not a good night for risky bets against Pittsburgh and San Jose |
| Sidney Crosby on fire with seven goals, 11 points in last three games |
| Fatigued Flames playing fifth straight on the road |
| Thornton/Heatley/Marleau may be the NHL’s best line |
Blackhawks vs Penguins odds
Saturday, December 5, 7:30 p.m. ET
Everyone’s thinking it so let’s just say it: Saturday’s Blackhawks vs Penguins odds could very well be a Stanley Cup preview. The Blackhawks have torn through the entire NHL this season, even dominating powerhouses like Calgary and San Jose. Led by the league’s best blueline and emerging stars like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Chicago has it all. While they’re amazingly dominant at home, however, they’re a pedestrian 6-4-2 on the road. They’re also running into a buzz saw at Mellon Arena.
The Penguins hit the skids while Evgeni Malkin was out but his return provided a major spark. Malkin himself hasn’t been the main story – his eight goals in 22 games leave something to be desired – but he’s taken the pressure of Sidney Crosby. Sid the Kid has responded by setting a career-best goal pace with 19 markers in 29 games, including seven in his last three. The Pens are getting healthier and extremely tough to beat at home with Crosby sizzling like he is right now, so I’d stick with the defending champs at my online sportsbook if I were you.
Blackhawks vs Penguins betting edge: Penguins
Flames vs Sharks odds
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 p.m. ET
When the team with the fewest regulation road losses in the league visits the team with the fewest home losses, NHL betting players have a tough decision to make. For Calgary, it’s so far, so good for new arrivals Brent Sutter (coach) and Jay Bouwmeester (defense). The Flames are tightening up their “D” and it’s paying major dividends for Miikka Kiprusoff, who has allowed two or fewer goals in six straight starts and recorded two shutouts over that span.
After their tremendous road run, however, the Flames may finally be tiring. Saturday’s trip to San Jose marks their fifth game of a six-game road trip. After winning their first three, Calgary looked flat in a 2-1 loss to Phoenix on Thursday night.
The Sharks have just one regulation loss in their last seven games and their top line of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau is absolutely dominant whenever coach Todd McClellan keeps it together. Look for the powerhouse Sharks to add to their NHL-best point total and take advantage of a good Flames team that may simply be tiring during a long road trip.
Flames vs Sharks betting edge: Sharks
The BetOnline sportsbook has new hockey betting odds every day. Also, keep reading Don Melrose’s analysis in the Sports Betting Edge section for all the best tips for online betting.
