NHL

NHL Preview: Montreal Canadiens

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: October 4, 2011

Have the Habs done enough to improve in the offseason? Charlie Boccanegra reports. The Montreal Canadiens have now made the postseason four consecutive seasons but have never been a legitimate Cup contender. Don’t expect anything to change this upcoming season because this team has not done much to improve itself in the offseason. Montral will...

NHL

NHL Preview: Buffalo Sabres

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: October 4, 2011

Charlie Boccanegra thinks a new owner can mean a new beginning for the Buffalo Sabres. When Terry Pegula purchased the Buffalo Sabres last season the future became extremely bright. The passionate billionaire is willing to spend whatever it takes to produce a Stanley Cup. Prior to his arrival the organization had some great young talent...

NHL

NHL Preview: Boston Bruins

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: October 4, 2011

It’s not often you can say the Stanley Cup Champions are just as good if not better the year after but this could be the case with the Boston Bruins. Charlie Boccanegra reports. Boston is an NHL betting co-favorite with the Canucks at +750 to win the 2012 Stanely Cup. It’s hard to repeat but...

NHL

NHL Preview: Phoenix Coyotes

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: October 3, 2011

Past over-achievement and the absence of Ilya Bryzgalov could make this a down year in Phoenix. Charlie Boccanegra reports. The Phoenix Coyotes have overachieved and shocked most hockey fans over the past couple of years by making the playoffs in consecutive years with limited talent. Dave Tippet has done a phenomenal job getting the most...

NHL

NHL Preview: Dallas Stars

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: October 3, 2011

Dallas will struggle in the absence of Brad Richards. Charlie Boccanegra reports. The Dallas Stars lost Brad Richards to a huge UFA contract with the New York Rangers. Last year Dallas missed the playoffs on the final day of the regular season with Richards in the line up – I don’t expect them improve on...

NHL

NHL Preview: Anaheim Ducks

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: October 3, 2011

Charlie Boccanegra likes the Ducks’ offense to carry a suspect defense to the playoffs and beyond. The Anaheim Ducks were one of the hottest teams down the stretch of the regular season last year only to fall short to the Predators in the first round of the playoffs. This team has all the making of...

NHL

NHL Preview: LA Kings

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: October 3, 2011

Charlie Boccanegra previews the LA Kings, a team on the way back to glory. The Los Angeles Kings are coming off consecutive seasons where they have made the playoffs but were unable to get out of the first round. This season they are expected to take a step to the next level. Expectations have not...

NHL

NHL Preview: San Jose Sharks

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: September 30, 2011

Charlie Boccanegra sees the overhauled Sharks the clear favorites to win the Pacific. Sharks GM Doug Wilson has made major moves after the Sharks have failed in the playoffs before and this year is no different. Last year it was the goalie swap of Niemi for Nabokov. This offseason the number one priority was the...

NHL

NHL Preview: Vancouver Canucks

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: September 30, 2011

The Canucks are still the team to beat. Charlie Boccanegra breaks them down. The Canucks won the Presidents’ Trophy last year. They ranked 1st in goals for and goals against in the NHL, and fell just one game short of the Stanley Cup last year. But a majority of the team are back and, while...

NHL

NHL Preview: Minnesota Wild

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: September 30, 2011

Charlie Boccanegra thinks the Wild have improved on offense but the defense is still a cause for concern. Todd Richards has been trying to implement a more offensive style of hockey since he took over as the Wild’s head coach two seasons ago. Richards was moved on during the summer, and now it’s up to...

NHL

NHL Preview: Edmonton Oilers

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: September 29, 2011

Edmonton mightn’t win the Stanley Cup, but they will be fun to watch. Charlie Boccanegra writes about the rebuilding Oilers. The Oilers are still in the rebuilding process but appear to be heading in the right direction with a lot of young talent. They’ve had the #1 overall pick in back-to-back years and appear to...

NHL

NHL Preview: Colorado Avalanche

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: September 29, 2011

It could be a long and lonesome season in the Rockies. Charlie Boccanegra assesses the Avs. Last year was a dreadful season and a step back from the surprising 2009-10 campaign that saw the rebuilding Avs shock everyone and make the playoffs. I expect more of the struggles to continue this season, as they are...

NHL

NHL Preview: Calgary Flames

• Charlie Boccanegra

• Last Updated: September 29, 2011

The Flames are getting old and Jarome Iginla can’t go on forever. Charlie Boccanegra looks at Calgary’s chances in 2011/12. This team continues to spin its wheels since its amazing run to the Cup Finals back in 2004. They have not won a playoff series since and have now missed the playoffs altogether in back...

NHL

Judgement Day for Atlanta, Winnipeg

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: May 20, 2011

Frank Doyle tries to separate truth from fiction in the will they/won’t they breaking news of Winnipeg being the new home of the Atlanta Thrashers. The people of Winnipeg have taken to the streets. Revellers spilled out into the night to celebrate the return of big time hockey to Manitoba. They gathered at the corner...

NHL

Bombing Bruins and Can-Do Canucks Talked About Teams of the NHL Playoffs

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Frank Doyle looks at what NHL bettors have learned from the playoffs so far. You Don’t Have to be a Shark to Choke In noting how reliable the Sharks are to letting themselves down in the playoffs one throaty team was omitted from the role of honour. Step forward the big, bad Boston Bruins, the...

NHL

Canucks the Team to Beat in NHL Western Conference

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: April 12, 2011

Frank Doyle looks at the NHL Western Playoffs, where the Canucks look set to sweep down from British Columbia and conquer all before them. Vancouver is the best team in the league. From back to front, the Canucks are solid as a rock. Roberto Luongo in goal, a solid blue line and the forked terrors...

NHL

Somewhere, Ovi the Rainbow – Caps Look Good in NHL East

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: April 12, 2011

Frank Doyle weighs up the contenders in the NHL Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference looks like a straight fight – and I choose my words carefully – between Washington and Boston. Washington is the NHL betting favorite to win the East, +225 at time of writing, while Boston is fourth favorite at +450. Philadelphia and...

NHL

Ducks, 'Canes Still in the Chase for the NHL Playoffs

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: April 8, 2011

Frank Doyle looks at some matchups from the final weekend of the NHL regular season as the playoff chase goes down to the wire, and a rare win against the fun police in the Bell Centre on Tuesday. One of the great things about the NHL is how long the regular season stays live. Not...

NHL

Calgary Can Still Edge Chicago in NHL Playoff Race

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: April 5, 2011

Frank Doyle crunches the numbers to see who’s still worth betting on in the final week of the NHL regular season. It’s the end of the road. This is the final week of the regular season and if anybody wants to get on the bus, they’ve got to get on now. Calgary did the Flames’...

NHL

Will Montreal Headhunt Chara at Boston Tonight?

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: March 24, 2011

Frank Doyle anticipates strife when Montreal and Boston renew acquaintances in Beantown tonight. There’s always been something of a frontier spirit about hockey. A feeling that due process is all very well but sometimes you’ve just got to shoot a man a down to keep the peace in Dodge. This will be a source of...