NHL Western Conference Predictions
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Did you know that you can bet on who will win the Western Conference? Many fans like to check for predictions simply to see their teams odds on winning, but didn’t realize they could place special future bets on their favourite team winning the Western Conference. There are online NHL betting sites that allow you to bet on almost everything to do with NHL hockey. You can sign up for an account at one of the sportsbooks, deposit money through a variety of safe deposit options, and place real money wagers on who you think will win the Western Conference. If you’re interested in betting on the Stanley Cup champs you can check out our NHL Stanley Cup champions predictions article.
If you are new to sports betting you may be a little bit confused on how to read the odds given for each team to win the Western Conference. The odds may be listed differently at each NHL betting site, but they all mean the same thing. For example, the odds of the Vancouver Canucks to win the Western Conference may be listed as 10 to 1, 10/1, 11.00 or +1000. This means that a $10 bet on the Canucks to win the West would pay out $100 profit ($10 x 10) or $110 in total. Below you will find our Western Conference predictions for the 2010/2011 NHL season, as well as the betting odds for each prediction.
Our 2010/2011 NHL Western Conference Predictions:
Article and Odds Updated October 5th, 2010
Detroit Red Wings (+350) – Detroit is used to great success and have been a model of consistency for over a decade. Last season was considered a bit of a step back for the Wings, even though they still finished with an impressive 102 points. They are a veteran group who has been there time and again. Like the Penguins, they may well have just burned out last year. After two straight runs to the Stanley Cup Finals, Detroit went out in the second round last season. They have added more veteran experience bringing over long time Stars captain Mike Modano for a crack at the Cup. Last year served as a changing of the guard in net from long time goalie Chris Osgood to the much younger Jimmy Howard. The results were great for the 26 year old as he picked up 37 wins, a .924 save percentage and a 2.26 goals against average. Any time you return Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom to go with a strong goalie, you have a chance.
Vancouver Canucks (+350) – The Canucks have had a good team on paper for years but have failed to put it all together to win the Stanley Cup. This year may well be different as they return their key firepower and offense and their top flight goaltender, while adding some fresh faces to the D. Goaltender Roberto Luongo is among the very best in the game and will be back between the pipes for Vancouver, after picking up 40 wins a season ago. The Sedin twins are also back after posting their best seasons in the NHL, with Henrik winning the points race with 112 in 2009. The new faces to get excited about are on the back end with free agent signing Dan Hamhuis and trade acquisition Keith Ballard giving the Canucks their deepest defense in years. The Canucks have been knocking on the door for years and may break through it in 2010-11.
St Louis Blues (+1300) – The Blues are an absolute dark horse to come out of the West but pay really well if they come in. I have them pencilled to sneak into the playoffs and once you are in anything can happen as many 7th and 8th seeds have shown us over the years. The key is a hot goaltender and the Blues picked up last year`s playoff hero Jaroslav Halak in the offseason. Halak guided Montreal from 8th in the East all the way to the conference finals. The Blues are hoping he can do it again this season. The team had 90 points a year ago and just missed the playoffs in 9th place. The team is young, led by forwards Brad Boyes, Patrik Berglund and David Backes and defenseman Erik Johnson. The group has been together awhile now and have chemistry despite their age. If you are looking for a long shot to cash in on, the Blues have the right mix of youth to sneak up on people and a goalie capable of getting very hot in the spring.