Online Hockey Betting – NHL Action Gets Back Underway After All Star Break
With the National Hockey League All-Star weekend festivities in the rearview mirror, the chase for the eight playoff positions in each respective conference is on. The next couple of weeks will be critical for teams on the bubble, especially considering the effect that the three-point game has had on the league in the past. The Super Bowl betting will take the spotlight this coming weekend, but first here’s a look at some key matches this week in the NHL.
Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals
Tuesday February 1, 2011 – 7:30 PM E
TThe Canadiens will look to build on a strong month of January when they return from the break to take on one of the best home teams in the league. The Washington Capitals have clinched at least a point in 22 of 27 games at the Verizon Center, and have to be motivated after finding themselves trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast division standings. If that isn’t enough, the Capitals will be playing a Montreal team that won three straight games to come back and eliminate them in the opening round of last year’s playoffs. Montreal entered the break 6-2-2 in their previous ten games, but have lost consecutive games.
Pick: Washington
Boston Bruins @ Carolina Hurricanes
Tuesday February 1, 2011 – 7:00 PM ET
The Bruins are on top of the Northeast division once again, and can build on their lead against an opponent they have dominated recently. Boston netminder Tim Thomas beat the Hurricanes in each of their last two meetings while allowing just a goal and each, and will likely be back in goal. Carolina might be slow out of the gate with a bit of a hangover from hosting the All Star festivities. The Bruins have the second-best goal differential in the conference, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them challenging the Philadelphia Flyers for the best sports betting mark after this game.
Pick: Boston
Chicago Blackhawks @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Tuesday February 1, 2011 – 7:00 PM ET
The defending Stanley Cup champions will look to get their season on track over the second half after managing to climb just six games above .500 before the break. Chicago has struggled with consistency after losing a handful of key members of their championship team in the offseason, and are in the thick of the race in a tie for seventh in the Western conference with the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. The Blackhawks will have the perfect opportunity to get off to a good start against the 13th-place Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, before renewing their rivalry with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.
Pick: Chicago
Phoenix Coyotes @ San Jose Sharks
Tuesday February 1, 2011 – 10:00 PM ET
Similar to the Blackhawks, San Jose has struggled out of the sports betting bonus gate before limping in to the break with a 4-5-1 record down the stretch. The Sharks are trailing the Coyotes by just three points, and will need a strong start to the second half against a Phoenix team that has been better on the road than at home this year.
Pick: San Jose
