NHL: Five burning Central Division questions

Hockey Betting Lines

08/30/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With training camps opening Sept. 12, there is no better time than the present to begin asking the single-most important question for each of the 30 NHL teams.

The first of six installments begins in the Western Conference, with the Central Division. Let's jump right into the fray with quite possibly the number one question of the entire league: Can Marty Turco effectively replace Antti Niemi and lead the Blackhawks back to the Stanley Cup Finals?

Turco comes to Chicago on the cheap after spending nine seasons in Dallas. The Ontario native has seen his skills decline in recent years to the point where he is not even considered one of the elite goaltenders in the league. In fact, one could argue the change in style of play since the lockout has highlighted his gargantuan failures.

Prior to 2005, Turco's career goals-against average stood at 1.91. Since then, it is more than one half-goal higher at 2.53. In addition, his overall save percentage has dropped dramatically since the lockout, from .922 down to .905.

It is true the defense in front of him this season will be a thousand times better than the one that skated in Dallas, but that fact was lost on Cristobal Huet, who came into Chicago with a career .918 save percentage and couldn't hold down the number-one spot in either of his two seasons as a Hawk.

It is also interesting to note that Kari Lehtonen recorded a 2.81 GAA and a .911 save percentage for Dallas after playing in only four minor league games the entire year. Meanwhile, Turco's 2.72 and .913 numbers were extremely similar even though he was healthy for most of the season, save for missing three games with the flu.

The Blackhawks, forced to cut ties with Niemi due to salary cap restrictions, could find themselves in a similar situation as last year if Turco struggles, so do not be shocked if backup Corey Crawford winds up leading the reigning champions back into the playoffs.

CAN JIMMY HOWARD DUPLICATE HIS 2009-10 CAMPAIGN?

Detroit is poised to bring the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown after a two-year drought. All the pieces are in place offensively as well as defensively. However, one area must remain strong, and that's between the pipes.

Jimmy Howard was spectacular during the regular season, allowing four goals or more just 11 times in 63 games. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old could not find his groove in the playoffs, giving up four or more six times in only 12 starts.

With Chris Osgood as his backup, Howard will once again get the bulk of the starts to prove his first full season (37 wins, 2.26 GAA, .924 save percentage) was not a fluke. His development will decide Detroit's fate once the postseason begins.

WILL NASHVILLE IMPROVE ENOUGH DEFENSIVELY?

Dan Hamhuis was a major contributor to the Predators defense for six solid seasons. The defenseman will now ply his trade with the Vancouver Canucks after signing a six-year deal this past July 1.

Nashville relied heavily on its top four defensemen more so than any other team in the league, as all four ranked in the top 50 players in terms of even- strength minutes. The loss of Hamhuis could have a ripple effect on the rest of the unit, particularly since only Ryan Parent was brought in as a replacement.

Furthermore, restricted free agent Cody Franson remains unsigned. If the second-year defenseman and the team fail to reach an agreement on a new deal, it could be a long season for the Predators.

CAN THE BLUES REJUVENATE THEIR OFFENSE?

Contrary to popular opinion, the Blues' season will not revolve around newcomer Jaroslav Halak. The goaltender that lifted the Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Finals should have little problems adapting to the new conference considering he holds a 12-4 lifetime record against the West.

The main question concerning St. Louis comes from an offense that struggled to find the back of the net. Only four Western Conference teams scored fewer goals than the Blues and all four failed to make the postseason.

Not only did the forwards combine for just 192 goals, but nine of the top 12 produced a lower goals-per-game mark than the year before. Moreover, Brad Boyes and David Backes could not even reach half of their 67 goal total from 2008-09, picking up only 31 goals a season ago.

One problem is the lack of a true puck-carrying defenseman outside of Erik Johnson. If Alex Pietrangelo is ready for full-time duty with the big club, his passing skills will help open up the ice for the young forwards in their quest for more offense.

WILL COLUMBUS IMPROVE ON THE ROAD?

Only one team won fewer road games than the Blue Jackets last season and that was the Edmonton Oilers, who wound up with the worst record in the entire league. Columbus finished the year 12-23-6 away from home, with an abysmal 6-19-5 mark over its final 30 games. The Jackets scored four goals or more just four times over that span after reaching the total six times in their first 11.

Two seasons ago, Columbus reached the playoffs for the first time in team history partly due to its 16-18-7 road mark - the club's finest winning percentage away from home. If the Blue Jackets cannot improve their play on the road, expect another season without a trip to the playoffs.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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