GAME ON! The race for the Stanley Cup begins, Wednesday April 14, as oddsmakers are putting out the odds on the favorite to win the Western Conference. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Chicago Blackhawks as +210 moneyline favorites to win the 2010 NHL Western Conference . Let’s take a look at why the Blackhawks are favored and is there a possible underdog contender. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Western Conference Odds & Predictions in early at BETUS.com
Chicago Blackhawks have the high powered offense to make a deep run in the playoffs, but do they have the goaltending. Since the Olympic break it’s been all Antti Niemi and no Cristobal Huet. Niemi has four shutouts in games he's played after losses, and he finished the season with seven shutouts in all, tied for third in the NHL. Niemi's overall record was 26-7-4 with a 2.25 GAA and .912 save percentage. But he has no playoff experience and that’s where Huet comes in handy if things go sour. Huet has fared only so-so in his 16 playoff appearances (6-10, 2.73 GAA, .917 save percentage), but he was strong in his final effort of last season's playoffs. The goalie doesn't have to string together amazing, stand-on-his-head performances to win in the playoffs. He just has to make seven or eight difficult saves per game because the team's puck-possession style limits the shots against. The Hawks have tremendous skills to go with their masterful puck-possession style . They have a dominating penalty kill along with quality coaching and veteran experience . And, let's not forget Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Kane became a 30-goal scorer this season and Toews seems like one of those captains that won't let his team lose.
Phoenix Coyotes are making their first playoff appearance since missing six straight. They certainly have a few key components to make a championship run, starting with a goaltender who might be more valuable to his team than any other player is to his squad . Ilya Bryzgalov has 42 of the Coyotes' 50 wins this season. His eight shutouts are the second most in the League, his 2.29 GAA and .920 save percentage rank in the top eight, and he has the ability to steal not just a game, but an entire series. Bryzgalov also has a Cup ring, won with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 as the backup to Jean-Sebastien Giguere, so he does know what it takes to win. The Coyotes have a strong, dependable leader in captain Shane Doan, who must be licking his chops to get back to the postseason. They have a group of steady defensemen that as a unit are more than the sum of their individual parts ; a few quality snipers (Radim Vrbata, Lee Stempniak); and coach Dave Tippett has his players believing anything he says and doing exactly what he wants.
2010 NHL Western Conference Odds & Predictions
Chicago Blackhawks +210
Colorado Avalanche +3000
Detroit Red Wings +425
Los Angeles Kings +1600
Nashville Predators +2000
Phoenix Coyotes +1200
San Jose Sharks +250
Vancouver Canucks +400
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Western Conference Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: If Vancouver can get good goaltending they might have a chance, but it’s looking like Chicago. It would be great for Phoenix to make a deep run to help get fans into the building. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Western Conference Odds & Predictions in early at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
