This is a defense-dominated division with only the last place Islanders failing to finish in the top 11 in the goals against category. The Isles also were the only team in the division that played more "over" than "under" games last season, something savvy NHL betting fans will be monitoring this campaign. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010/11 regular season straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS) and over/under (O/U) results in parentheses:
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (47-23-12 SU, 47-35 ATS, 37-45 O/U)
Coach: Peter Laviolette,75-47-17 (3rd year), 319-231-51 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 12/1, Eastern Conference Championship 9/2, Atlantic Division 1-1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 3.12/3
Goals Against Per Game: 2.63/11
Total Points: 683/4
Power Play Chances: 295/12
Power Play Goals: 49/17t
Power Play Percentage: 16.6/19
Penalty Kill Percentage: 82.7/15
Saves: 2255/19
Save Percentage: .913/12t
Faceoff Percentage: .503/17
NHL Betting Tip: Based on last season's performance, the Flyers are a good team to back when they get on a winning streak, covering six straight, five straight, eight out of nine, and seven out of nine at different times during the 2010/11 campaign.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (49-25-8 SU, 49-33 ATS, 31-47-4 O/U)
Coach: Dan Bylsma,114-56-19 (4th year), 114-56-19 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 8/1, Eastern Conference Championship 9/2, Atlantic Division 5/4.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.78/13
Goals Against Per Game: 2.39/6t
Total Points: 618/13
Power Play Chances: 311/5
Power Play Goals: 49/17t
Power Play Percentage: 15.7/25
Penalty Kill Percentage: 86.1/1
Saves: 2156/24
Save Percentage: .917/8
Faceoff Percentage: .492/21
NHL Betting Tip: At one point, the Penguins covered 12 straight games last season, going nearly four weeks without a pointspread defeat. Pittsburgh also was a very reliable "under" bet.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS (38-39-5 SU, 38-44 ATS, 24-43-15 O/U)
Coach: Peter DeBoer,0-0-0 (1st year), 103-107-36 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 22/1, Eastern Conference Championship 12/1, Atlantic Division 6/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.08/30
Goals Against Per Game: 2.52/9
Total Points: 459/30
Power Play Chances: 237/30
Power Play Goals: 34/30
Power Play Percentage: 14.3/28
Penalty Kill Percentage: 83.4/11
Saves: 1945/30
Save Percentage: .904/20t
Faceoff Percentage: .512/8t
NHL Betting Tip: The Devils were last in the League in points and goals scored last season so it should come as a shock to NHL betting fans that just 24 of New Jersey's 82 games went over the number.
NEW YORK RANGERS (44-33-5 SU, 44-38 ATS, 32-47-3 O/U)
Coach: John Tortorella,94-73-18 (4th year), 333-298-56 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 40/1, Eastern Conference Championship 18/1, Atlantic Division 10/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.73/16
Goals Against Per Game: 2.38/5
Total Points: 608/15
Power Play Chances: 290/15t
Power Play Goals: 49/17t
Power Play Percentage: 16.9/18
Penalty Kill Percentage: 83.6/10
Saves: 2215/20
Save Percentage: .919/5t
Faceoff Percentage: .477/25t
NHL Betting Tip: The Rangers and their New York rivals, the Islanders played some wide-open hockey last season with five of their six meetings going over the total.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS (30-39-13 SU, 29-53 ATS, 45-32-5 O/U)
Coach: Jack Capuano,26-29-10 (2nd year), 26-29-10 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 66/1, Eastern Conference Championship 40/1, Atlantic Division 25/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.74/15
Goals Against Per Game: 3.15/27
Total Points: 601/16
Power Play Chances: 302/8
Power Play Goals: 52/14t
Power Play Percentage: 17.2/17
Penalty Kill Percentage: 83.2/12
Saves: 2362/8
Save Percentage: .902/23t
Faceoff Percentage: .501/19
NHL Betting Tip: During more than a seven-week span from Oct. 23 to Dec. 15, last year, the Islanders failed to cover 20 of 21 games, proving that when things go wrong to bad teams, they tend to happen in bunches.
This is the first of a six-part NHL 2011/12 preview series.
Next: Betting the NHL's Northeast Division.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
