http://hockeyopinions.com Hockey Opinions and Debates from NHL Fans Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:56:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hockey stands apart somewhat from games like basketball and football in that there is low scoring and a low scoring differential between teams. This makes betting on hockey slightly different from betting on these other sports, but it’s still pretty simple  like playing video poker if you know what you’re ... http://hockeyopinions.com/ways-to-bet-on-hockey/ Ilya Kovalchuk has just signed a new seventeen year deal to stay a New Jersey Devil for his foreseeable future.  The cap hit will be only $6 Million a season, but Kovalchuk and the Devils played the system by only really paying Kovalchuk what he wanted and deserves for the ... http://hockeyopinions.com/kovalchuk-resigning-with-new-jersey-is-bad-for-player-and-team/ I just wanted to write a quick post to say congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks.  They had a terrific year and deserved to win the Stanley Cup.  I couldn't have said the same about the Flyers so I'm happy the Blackhawks won.  I like underdog stories, but I prefer for ... http://hockeyopinions.com/congrats-to-the-chicago-blackhawks/ My predictions went 5 for 8, I lost out on Washington, La, and Buffalo. This round I’m saying Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburg, and Philly. Detroit Vs. San Jose Detroit owned the season series 3-1 this year, and has really picked it up at the end of the Phoenix series. With Datsyuk ... http://hockeyopinions.com/western-conference-round-2/ These have been one of the most exciting playoff years up to date, with every series being tied 1-1, and some physical and high scoring series what more do hockey fans want. Before I discuss the playoffs I will share what my predictions were I had Detroit, Los Angeles, San Jose, and ... http://hockeyopinions.com/predictions-and-thoughts/ This is going to be a quick post stating my first round NHL playoff predictions.  The run to the Stanley Cup begins tomorrow so it's an exciting time of year for hockey fans everywhere.  I'm not sure if you remember, but last year I went 8 for 8 in the ... http://hockeyopinions.com/round-1-nhl-playoff-predictions/ Maurice Richard Trophy Winner Who will finish the season with the most goals?  Right now it's between Crosby (45), Ovechkin (44) & Stamkos (42). If Ovechkin didn't keep getting suspended this year he'd probably already have close to 50 goals, but his hard hitting, (some may say reckless) style has kept him ... http://hockeyopinions.com/end-of-season-nhl-predictions/ The playoff races are starting to heat up and I am beginning to lean certain ways as to which teams will end up playing for the Stanley Cup in May and June.  You may be surprised by some of my picks, but you may agree.  Anyways here we go: Eastern Conference The ... http://hockeyopinions.com/nhl-midseason-playoff-predictions/ It is still very early in the NHL regular season, but teams that are falling behind now are quickly putting themselves out of playoff contention.  With the parody in the league these days and the extra overtime/shootout points teams that fall behind early in the season really put themselves up ... http://hockeyopinions.com/teams-cannot-afford-to-fall-behind-in-new-nhl/ Mikko Koivu is the younger brother of Saku Koivu and currently the top player on the struggling Minnesota Wild.  Me and a buddy were arguing recently about whether Koivu is a keeper in our hockey pool.  I say he is a definite keeper because he will get between 70 and ... http://hockeyopinions.com/mikko-koivu-is-a-70-point-center/ I know this topic is very controversial because the Leafs are one of the most popular teams in the league, but it is time to face the facts that our beloved Leafs are falling quickly.  After have a mediocre 6-3 record in the pre-season, the Leafs have failed to win ... http://hockeyopinions.com/its-autumn-and-the-leafs-are-falling/ I'm a big believer in the NHL switching over to a 3-point system that awards 3 points for regulation wins, 2 points for overtime/shootout wins, 1 point for overtime/shootout losses and nothing for regulation losses. I feel that the current system of awarding 2 points some games and 3 points others ... http://hockeyopinions.com/nhl-2008-2009-standings-using-3-point-system/ Me and my buddy made a bet how many points Havlat will get this season.  The over/under was 79.5, with a condition that he plays at least 75 games. I feel that this condition really puts the bet in my favour.  Havlat has been a point a game guy with both ... http://hockeyopinions.com/martin-havlat-will-get-over-80-points-this-season/ East The Contenders 1. Pittsburgh Penguins I see no reason why the Penguins won’t follow up on last year’s Stanley Cup win with another very good regular season. Crosby and Malkin will be as good as ever, if not better. As well, though Fleury has taken a fair bit of criticism in the ... http://hockeyopinions.com/nhl-regular-season-predictions/ Me and Einz were having a little debate the other day about which first overall pick is going to get more points this season.  Stamkos is going into his second full season with the Tampa Bay Lightning after picking up the pace for the latter stages of his rookie campaign.  ... http://hockeyopinions.com/stamkos-vs-tavares-who-will-get-more-points/ Patrick Kane was recently charged for robbing and abusing a cab driver while home in Buffalo.  This incident once again got me thinking about what a liability Patrick Kane is on such a promising Chicago Blackhawks team.  When a player who is making close to $4,000,000 a year, not including ... http://hockeyopinions.com/blackhawks-should-trade-patrick-kane/ The NHL released their schedule for the 09-10 season today and this unveiling makes the season seem that much closer. In fact it's only a short 2 and a half months away. The season opens on October 1st 2009, with 4 games. These games include a couple ... http://hockeyopinions.com/the-2009-2010-nhl-schedule-has-been-released/ It all comes down to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The most important and most exciting game of the year. The Penguins were able to win all of their home games in this series, but they haven't been able to win in Detroit and thanks to ... http://hockeyopinions.com/game-7-of-the-stanley-cup-finals-for-all-the-marbles/ The rematch has been set.  It's the defending Stanley Cup Champions Detroit Red Wings in a rematch with defending and present Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.  Last year the series took 6 games to decide, but the Wings never looked like they could lose.  This year it's basically the same ... http://hockeyopinions.com/nhl-stanley-cup-finals-betting/ Wings and Ducks recap Well the Wings barely snuck out of this series, but what a series this was.  Starting right off the bat with controversey in game one with the Hudler hit, and then the triple overtime in game two.  Moving to Anaheim we saw the disallowed goal, and then ... http://hockeyopinions.com/the-wings/ So, in round 2 I told you 3 teams to bet on.  The Penguins, the Blackhawks and the Bruins.  Two of my three picks came through, but those Bruins couldn't beat the Cardiac Canes.  This round the match-ups are very interesting and I hope to pick them both right this ... http://hockeyopinions.com/bet-on-round-3-conference-finals-of-the-nhl-playoffs/ I've been watching a ton of hockey this playoffs and I have seen way too many delay of game penalties for players shooting the puck over the glass.  Not one of these penalties I saw was intentional and several times these silly over the glass delay of game penalties helped ... http://hockeyopinions.com/the-delay-of-game-over-the-glass-penalty-is-silly/ This second round of the playoffs is turning out great.  Four good, and hard series being played now, but all eyes are on the Washington Pittsburgh series, and for good reason.  This series is turning into an epic battle between the two best players in the game.  Crosby and Ovechkin ... http://hockeyopinions.com/early-toughts-on-the-second-round-and-balsillie/ Pits Vs. Washington This is the series everyone wants to see.  The classic showdown Crosby and Malkin against Ovechkin.  This series will most likely silence the critics, and ultimately pick who is the better player.  Also this series might play heavily into the Hart Trophy voting Washington came back from a 3-1 ... http://hockeyopinions.com/round-2-predictions-east/ ROUND 2 Predictions Boston(1) vs. Carolina(6) A maybe too well rested Boston squad faces off against Carolina, a team who should most probably be weary after knocking off the Devils in what I thought was a bit more than a slight upset. There are only two main hypotheses that come to ... http://hockeyopinions.com/nhl-playoff-2009-round-2-predictions/ All of the lines for round 2 of the NHL playoffs are in at Bookmaker.com. The Blackhawks vs Canucks series that starts tonight is supposed to be a close one.  The odds are as follows: Blackhawks +120 Canucks -140 Bet the Blackhawks here.  The Hawks have at least a 50% chance to win the ... http://hockeyopinions.com/bet-on-round-2-of-nhl-playoffs/ Anaheim Vs.  Detroit I am highly biased in favor of the Wings, but I will do my best to be neutral in this one.  Anaheim's got a hot goalie going into this round.  Hiller has played well agaisnt a powerful Sharks offence, the questions is can he keep this up against ... http://hockeyopinions.com/round-2-predictions-west/ San Jose Vs. Anaheim The best player in this series was no doubt Hiller, followed closely by Getzlaf.  The sharks have been favored for years to advance far into the stanley cup playoffs, nothing change this year.  After being out scored, out hit, and out goaltendended again in the playoffs Thorton ... http://hockeyopinions.com/round-one-recap/ Today the final three nominees for this year's Hart Trophy (aka MVP) award were announced. This award is meant to be awarded to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team". The three nominees are Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin, and Pavel Datsyuk. A case could easily be made for any of these ... http://hockeyopinions.com/whos-got-hart/ Detroit vs. Anaheim Wings in 7. Yes the ducks did just knock off this season's arguable favourite for the cup, but let's be real, how many years in a row has SJ been favoured? They have managed to disappoint every year which is why I am not surprised that they are ... http://hockeyopinions.com/round-2-predictions/ Round 1 was an action-packed round full of everything from upsets (Anaheim over SJ) to expected sweeps (Boston over Habs) to 7 game series with unbelievable endings (Carolina over NJ), from coach-fan altercations (Tortorella) to fights between two all-stars (Thornton vs. Getzlaf). As a hockey fan I am thoroughly satisfied with ... http://hockeyopinions.com/round-1/ On Thursday the beginning of Round 2 of the Stanley cup playoffs is starting. Some pretty interesting matchups. Ofcourse all eyes are going to be on the Pit/Wsh series. Its the Crosby vs Ovechkin show. I should probably include Malkin, but I'm not going to. Why? It doesn't seem to ... http://hockeyopinions.com/einzers-predictions-for-round-2/ Round 1 is finished and round 2 is just around the corner.  This means it's prediction time.  Last round I went 8 for 8 so listen up folks for some prediction gold. Canucks (3) vs Blackhawks (4) Me and Einz just made a bet on this series last night.  I have the ... http://hockeyopinions.com/woohoo-round-2-predictions/ After the first round there is not that much that can be said. How big of an upset was Anaheim beating San Jose? We all knew it could happen, we were just hoping for the Sharks to pull through this time. Atleast I was (My pools are in trouble). Washington ... http://hockeyopinions.com/playoffs-so-far/ I am the man.  I own the NHL.  It's like I went into the future and saw what was going to happen in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and predicted exactly what was happening.  I had Anaheim.   I had Carolina.  I had all the upsets and ... http://hockeyopinions.com/8-for-8-in-the-first-round-of-the-nhl-playoffs/