As savvy NHL betting mavens surely know and likely will be watching this season, the Northwest Division earned the distinction of having the two worst teams in the League terms of wagering units lost over the course of the 2010-11 campaign, Colorado and Edmonton. 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:
VANCOUVER CANUCKS (54-19-9 SU, 54-28 ATS, 34-45-3 O/U)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 7/1, Western Conference Championship 7/2, Northwest Division 1/10.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 3.15/1
Goals Against Per Game: 2.20/1
Total Points: 708/2
Power Play Chances: 296/11
Power Play Goals: 72/1
Power Play Percentage: 24.3/1
Penalty Kill Percentage: 85.5/3
Saves: 2290/15
Save Percentage: .927/2
Faceoff Percentage: .549/1
NHL Betting Tip: On average, the Canucks scored nearly a goal more than they gave up a year ago so their betting numbers were strong in most categories. In fact, even as an underdog, Vancouver was a very profitable 5-3.
CALGARY FLAMES (41-29-12 SU, 41-41 ATS, 43-34-5 O/U)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 40/1, Western Conference Championship 20/1, Northwest Division 5/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.94/7t
Goals Against Per Game: 2.80/19
Total Points: 662/6t
Power Play Chances: 318/4
Power Play Goals: 62/7
Power Play Percentage: 19.5/8
Penalty Kill Percentage: 81.21/21
Saves: 2108/27
Save Percentage: .902/23t
Faceoff Percentage: .482/24
NHL Betting Tip: The Flames were a highly reliable 5-1 when thrust into the role of a favorite of -200 or greater, last season.
EDMONTON OILERS (25-45-12 SU, 25-57 ATS, 35-44-3 O/U)
Coach: Tom Renney,25-45-12 (2nd year), 228-215-58 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 66/1, Western Conference Championship 33/1, Northwest Division 20/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.33/27t
Goals Against Per Game: 3.17/28
Total Points: 528/27
Power Play Chances: 304/7
Power Play Goals: 44/22
Power Play Percentage: 14.4/27
Penalty Kill Percentage: 76.9/29
Saves: 2337/9
Save Percentage: .900/27t
Faceoff Percentage: .442/30
NHL Betting Tip: At -22.1 betting units, Edmonton was the second worst team in the League in that category. The Oilers were just 2-11 as underdogs of +200 or more last season, not nearly good enough for gamblers who backed Edmonton in that scenario. Throughout last season, Edmonton was a solid "over" play.
COLORADO AVALANCHE (30-44-8 SU, 30-52 ATS, 48-31-3 O/U)
Coach: Joe Sacco,73-74-17 (3rd year), 73-74-17 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 66/1, Western Conference Championship 33/1, Northwest Division 22/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.70/18
Goals Against Per Game: 3.50/30
Total Points: 597/17t
Power Play Chances: 265/26t
Power Play Goals: 49/17t
Power Play Percentage: 18.4/11
Penalty Kill Percentage: 76.1/30
Saves: 2322/11
Save Percentage: .890/30
Faceoff Percentage: .506/14
NHL Betting Tip: The Avalanche finished the season -24 betting units, the worst figure in the NHL, and from January 26 to April 8, covered just 5 of 33 games, even losing eight of 10 as a favorite. Giving up the most goals and having both the poorest penalty kill and save percentages, will lead to that result.
MINNESOTA WILD (39-35-8 SU, 39-43 ATS, 34-39-9 O/U)
Coach: Mike Yeo,0-0-0 (1st year), 0-0-0 (overall)
Future Book Odds Profile: Stanley Cup 80/1, Western Conference Championship 40/1, Northwest Division 25/1.
By the Numbers/NHL Rank (2010/11 Regular Season)
Goal Per Game: 2.48/26
Goals Against Per Game: 2.78/16t
Total Points: 560/26
Power Play Chances: 292/13t
Power Play Goals: 53/12t
Power Play Percentage: 18.15/13
Penalty Kill Percentage: 82.7/14
Saves: 2397/5
Save Percentage: .913/12t
Faceoff Percentage: .508/11t
NHL Betting Tip: The Wild was a cash-robbing 15-16 as a favorite last season. At +1.8 betting units, Minnesota joined Vancouver as the division's only other team that ended up in the black for bettors last season.
This is the fifth of a six-part NHL 2011/12 preview series.
Next: Betting the NHL's Pacific 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
