The road to the 2010 Stanley Cup has entered the second round as four teams fight for the Western Conference Championship. The Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings are all in it to win it, as the action starts Thursday April 29. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Chicago Blackhawks as +220 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
The No.2 seed Chicago Blackhawks needed six games to get past the Nashville Predators, outscoring the Preds 17-15. Goalie Antti Niemi is 4-2 with a 2.15 GAA after giving up 13 goals; he also has two shutouts during their series. The top line of Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp are firing on all cylinders with a combined 10 goals and 19 assists. They are fast and deadly; whoever they face will have to have a great goalie as the Hawks lead the playoffs with most shots on net.
The No.1 seed San Jose Sharks playoff woes have been well documented throughout the years, but they’ve made it through the first round by beating Colorado in six. They outscored them 19-11 thanks to playoff goal leader Joe Pavelski and his five goals. Their top producers so far are Ryane Clowe, Joe Pavelski, Dan Boyle and Devin Setoguchi, who have a combined 11 goals and 17 assists. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov They have the toughness and talent, it’s can they connect to make a deep run.
The No.3 seed Vancouver Canuck s beat the LA Kings in six and outscored the Kings 25-18. Their top producers so far are Mikael Samuelsson and Daniel Sedin with a combined 11 goals and 10 assists. They are getting goals from other players, but they must fight to do more as not to put pressure on their top players. Goalie Roberto Luongo looked shaky at the start but came through with a 4-2 record and a 2.92 GAA. It seems the more pressure and deeper they go the better Luongo does. Not to mention he was the gold medal winning goalie for team Canada in the Olympics.
The No.5 seed Detroit Red Wing s can never be counted out in the playoffs. They have veteran players with playoff experience and a red hot rookie goalie. The Wings needed seven games to get by the Phoenix Coyotes, outscoring the Coyotes 26-18. Goalie Jimmy Howard has been lights out with a 4-3 record and a 2.59 GAA; also with one shutout. Their top line of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen has combined for 15 goals and 18 points. But what’s better is they are getting assists from multiple players who are all chipping in taking pressure off some of their top guys.
2010 NHL Western Conference Odds
Chicago Blackhawks +220
Detroit Red Wings +270
San Jose Sharks +250
Vancouver Canucks +225
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Western Conference Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: I still think the Red Wings have what it takes. 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!
