Interestingly, of the five teams that comprise the Central Division, the Nashville Predators were the only one that was a positive wagering (+8.2 units) for the entire year, a trend NHL betting fans will be closely scrutinizing this season. 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:
DETROIT RED WINGS (47-25-10 SU, 47-35 ATS, 43-39 O/U)
Coach: Mike Babcock,304-126-62 (7th year), 373-188-76 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 12/1, Western Conference Championship 7/2, Central Division 3/4.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 3.13/2
Goals Against Per Game: 2.89/23
Total Points: 713/1
Power Play Chances: 301/9t
Power Play Goals: 67/4t
Power Play Percentage: 22.2/6
Penalty Kill Percentage: 82.1/17
Saves: 2277/18
Save Percentage: .906/19
Faceoff Percentage: .519/3t
NHL Betting Tip: The Red Wings actually were a better bet on the road, where they finished 26-15 ATS last season. Detroit was just 21-20 ATS at home, where the team was a bankroll busting -200 favorite on 20 separate occasions.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (44-29-9 SU, 43-39 ATS, 39-43 O/U)
Coach: Joel Quenneville,141-73-28 (4th year), 579-356-69 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 14/1, Western Conference Championship 7/1, Central Division 9/4.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 3.07/4
Goals Against Per Game: 2.68/12t
Total Points: 689/3
Power Play Chances: 277/23
Power Play Goals: 64/6
Power Play Percentage: 22.1/4
Penalty Kill Percentage: 79.22/25
Saves: 2134/25
Save Percentage: .907/18
Faceoff Percentage: .508/11t
NHL Betting Tip: The Blackhawks were a financially woeful 8-7 as a -200 or more favorite last season, losing at home to non-playoff teams such as Edmonton, Columbus and Minnesota.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS (44-27-11 SU, 44-38 ATS, 27-43-12 O/U)
Coach: Barry Trotz,455-398-71 (13th year), 455-398-71 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 28/1, Western Conference Championship 14/1, Central Division 7/2.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.60/21t
Goals Against Per Game: 2.32/3
Total Points: 583/21
Power Play Chances: 269/24
Power Play Goals: 41/28
Power Play Percentage: 15.2/26
Penalty Kill Percentage: 84.9/5
Saves: 2320/12
Save Percentage: .924/3
Faceoff Percentage: .502/18
NHL Betting Tip: Given that the Predators ranked in the top five in the defensive categories of goals against per game, penalty kills and save percentage, it should come as little surprise that Nashville was an excellent "under" bet last season.
ST. LOUIS BLUES (38-33-11 SU, 38-44 ATS, 39-40-3 O/U)
Coach: Davis Payne,61-48-15 (3rd year), 61-48-15 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 40/1, Western Conference Championship 25/1, Central Division 14/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.88/10
Goals Against Per Game: 2.78/16t
Total Points: 629/11
Power Play Chances: 279/21t
Power Play Goals: 52/14t
Power Play Percentage: 18.6/10
Penalty Kill Percentage: 81.7/18
Saves: 2046/29
Save Percentage: .900/27t
Faceoff Percentage: .473/28
NHL Betting Tip: The Blues were quite reliable as a -200 or greater favorite last season, covering all five times they found themselves in that situation.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (34-35-13 SU, 34-48 ATS, 36-41-5 O/U)
Coach: Scott Arniel,34-35-13 (2nd year), 34-35-13 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 80/1, Western Conference Championship 40/1, Central Division 28/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.56/24
Goals Against Per Game: 3.05/26
Total Points: 585/20
Power Play Chances: 301/9t
Power Play Goals: 42/27
Power Play Percentage: 13.95/29
Penalty Kill Percentage: 80.2/22
Saves: 2197/21
Save Percentage: .898/29
Faceoff Percentage: .512/8t
NHL Betting Tip: The Blue Jackets were just 15-14 as favorites last season, given the odds a gambler had to lay, a losing proposition for players who consistently backed Columbus in that situation.
This is the fourth of a six-part NHL 2011/12 preview series.
Next: Betting the NHL's Northwest 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
