Editor's Note: Scott Rickenbach is ready for another season of winners in the NHL. Get his latest picks here!
Looking for value on a Saturday card? Of course we all know about the College Football card as that’s where most bettors turn at this time of year. However, those that are looking to pad their bankrolls with even more profits realize that value can be had on a deep Saturday card of NHL action. With 13 games to choose from on a Saturday that promises to be full of “Puck Bucks” let’s take a look at some potential “investment opportunities”:
MONTREAL @ TORONTO – The Canadiens will be playing the second night of a back to back as they were in Buffalo on Friday. This may not be that big of an issue for the Habs. Last season, Montreal won 25 road games. No other team in the Eastern Conference won more than 21 road games! Also, Toronto is making a youth movement and is without Mats Sundin. The youth movement may pay off in the long run but it’s quite likely the Maple Leafs will struggle early this season.
DETROIT @ OTTAWA – After hosting the Maple Leafs on Thursday look for the Red Wings to have a travel edge over the Senators. Ottawa, even though at home for this game, will still be trying to adjust after playing their first two games in Stockholm, Sweden last weekend. The Sens played quite well against a solid Penguins team that was in the Stanley Cup Finals against these Red Wings last season. This could be a very tight game on Saturday. Entertaining to watch but possibly not entertaining to wager on!
ST LOUIS @ NY ISLANDERS – St Louis finished in last place in the Central Division last season and the Islanders finished in last place in the Atlantic Division last season. Both teams look like they could be even worse off this season. As a result, we really don’t want to spend much time on this match-up. The Islanders have, yet again, a new head coach in Scott Gordon while the Blues seem mired in a rebuilding mode. This is a good one to watch and gain knowledge from going forward. Both teams need to show a lot of improvement on the ice before getting too much of your wagering money!
NY RANGERS @ PHILADELPHIA – The Rangers looked strong in taking both games from Tampa Bay in Prague, Czech Republic last weekend. Having already played those two games could also be a benefit to the Rangers as they face a Flyers team that will be playing their first game of the season. This is a tough one to gauge early on as the Rangers took advantage of a Lightning team that has a lot of new faces. This weekend, the Rangers face a solid Flyers club that went all the way to the Eastern Conference finals last season. One item of note is the Rangers started off last season just 4-6-1 in October while the Flyers were 7-3 last October!
CHICAGO @ WASHINGTON – If you want excitement this would be a good one to look at! The Blackhawks are loaded with impressive young talent and of course the Capitals are in the same mold! Both teams are also in the second night of a back to back situation so the defense could be a step behind the offense all night in this one! The over might be worth a look here depending on how things play out for each team on Friday!
ATLANTA @ FLORIDA – These two teams will likely end up battling each other to stay out of the basement in the Southeast Division. That means this could be another stay away game. Both teams are likely to struggle to generate offense this season but the key here could be a goaltending edge for the Panthers. Depending on the line posted on this game there may be some line value with Florida at home with Tomas Vokoun between the pipes!
NEW JERSEY @ PITTSBURGH – The Penguins lost some key players from last season’s club that made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. As a result, the Pens were a little shaky in their two games against Ottawa last weekend in Stockholm, Sweden. Pittsburgh was somewhat fortunate to get the split as their win came in overtime in a game they trailed in the third period. The Pens are in “adjustment mode” after the overseas trip and this Devils team is hungry with Martin Brodeur still capable of dominating between the pipes on any given night! Devils could be getting some big line value here and might be worth a look depending on how their Friday game with the Isles plays out.
CAROLINA @ TAMPA BAY – Tampa Bay is expected to much improved this season but their games against the Rangers in Prague, Czech Republic certainly indicated that their will be a growth curve. Can the Lightning quickly right the ship? Or do the Hurricanes jump in and win on Tampa Bay’s home ice? The Canes could be worth a look here but their defense must prove itself this season. The offense continues to be a strength but will the “retooling” of the defense pay off? It’s likely to be good enough against Tampa Bay but be sure and see how the Canes fare against Florida on Friday before you invest in this Saturday match-up.
DALLAS @ NASHVILLE – Nashville is a hungry team after only getting a taste of the postseason last year – they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings! They also should benefit from getting a game under the belts at St Louis on Friday night. Dallas will also be coming off of a Friday game (at home versus St Louis) but then must travel to Nashville for the second night of this back to back. The Stars were one of the better road teams in the league last season and they tried to toughen up their team with some “gritty” player additions in the off-season. However, the Predators also appear focused on moving up this season and this game looks like it could be a tough call. Friday’s games will hopefully provide some early “answers” for both of these clubs!
BOSTON @ MINNESOTA – Could be an early adjustment phase for the Bruins this season. Last season they had to get use to life without Manny Fernandez and Patrice Bergeron. Now those two guys are back but other players like Glen Metropolit are gone. There is quite a bit of uncertainty for the Bruins early this season. After opening with Colorado on Thursday though more should be known. This is the second leg of the road trip and Minnesota looks solid in goal and with their special teams but will the offense finally be able to generate enough firepower.
COLUMBUS @ PHOENIX – The Coyotes are a young and up and coming team. They have built the right way with youth and playing in a very tough Pacific Division is really the only thing holding Phoenix back. They should continue to make strides this season and they’re hosting the Blue Jackets on Saturday as they open up their season. Columbus only won 9 of their last 29 games to wrap up last season and they are still weak in the special teams area and they have trouble generating much offense.
LOS ANGELES @ SAN JOSE – The Sharks are one of the top teams in the league how will they react after opening up their season with a big game versus Anaheim on Thursday? As for the Kings, their porous defense and their overall youth movement combine to make them quite avoidable early this season. Of course the only way to get line value with the Sharks here would be to lay 1.5 goals but, keep in mind, the best value in NHL betting is in staying away from big favorites and in being very cautious with poor teams!
VANCOUVER @ CALGARY – This one is virtually impossible to write much about in advance because these two teams will have started their season against each other on Thursday. Depending on the outcome of that game, the Flames could be worth a look here if they’re not too pricey. The Canucks new management still leaves them a bit unsettled into the season and they lost both Naslund and Morrison in the off-season. The Flames look improved this season with some added grit with their forwards and, conversely, Vancouver looks like they’ve taken a step back. Thursday’s results plus the line on this game will be key as to whether there’s any line value in this one. The under could be given consideration too as netminder Roberto Luongo is one of the game’s best goalies while Miikka Kiprusoff of the Flames is rock-solid and has been particularly strong at home throughout his solid career!
