As the page turns to the year 2012, there are several NHL teams feeling comfortable on track to reach the postseason, and there are others that it is time to hit the panic button for. Here is a quick look at some key matchups for this week and the sportsbook underdogs that need to come through.
Winnipeg Jets @ Montreal Canadiens
Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET
The fact that the Jets are playing in Winnipeg alone has helped the team become a legitimate contender in the Eastern conference as they have been dominant at home, but there is still work for head coach Claude Noel to do. Montreal is a good place to start, as the Canadiens? circus has reached another level with players fighting eachother in practice and the promise of a new coach before next season. Interim coach Randy Cunneyworth had a tough enough time motivating his troops before it was confirmed that he wouldn?t be back this week by general manager Pierre Gauthier, and now he will need to get them going when they already know he isn?t their long-term bench boss. Eight points out and with three months of hockey ahead of them, the Canadiens technically still have a chance. However, if they are going to keep those hopes from completely fading away, they are going to have to find a way to win at home now against a Jets? team that they are chasing in the standings.
Boston Bruins @ New Jersey Devils
Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET
Following a slow start, the defending Stanley Cup champions have put things together and are now in position to challenge for the top spot in the conference. That journey will continue this week in New Jersey, where the Devils have earned a point in eight of their last 10 games to climb in to the top-eight in the east. Despite their recent success, New Jersey cannot afford to let off the gas, and they could catching the sports betting favorites for this game napping following the holiday break and earn a big win at home this Wednesday.
San Jose Sharks @ Anaheim Ducks
Wednesday, 10:00 PM ET
A slow start to the season will prevent the Ducks from having a shot at the playoffs, but they do have pride to play for, as well as the future under new head coach Bruce Boudreau. The insertion of Boudreau as the main man in Anaheim hasn?t helped turn things around the way that management thought it would, but these things take time, and it?s unlikely they will be ready to handle a tough team in San Jose that wants to make sure it doesn?t let another winnable game slide. The Sharks are currently on the outside looking in for the Western conference playoff race, which is simply unacceptable considering the team that they have as online wagering favorites.
Winnipeg Jets @ Montreal Canadiens
Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET
The fact that the Jets are playing in Winnipeg alone has helped the team become a legitimate contender in the Eastern conference as they have been dominant at home, but there is still work for head coach Claude Noel to do. Montreal is a good place to start, as the Canadiens? circus has reached another level with players fighting eachother in practice and the promise of a new coach before next season. Interim coach Randy Cunneyworth had a tough enough time motivating his troops before it was confirmed that he wouldn?t be back this week by general manager Pierre Gauthier, and now he will need to get them going when they already know he isn?t their long-term bench boss. Eight points out and with three months of hockey ahead of them, the Canadiens technically still have a chance. However, if they are going to keep those hopes from completely fading away, they are going to have to find a way to win at home now against a Jets? team that they are chasing in the standings.
Boston Bruins @ New Jersey Devils
Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET
Following a slow start, the defending Stanley Cup champions have put things together and are now in position to challenge for the top spot in the conference. That journey will continue this week in New Jersey, where the Devils have earned a point in eight of their last 10 games to climb in to the top-eight in the east. Despite their recent success, New Jersey cannot afford to let off the gas, and they could catching the sports betting favorites for this game napping following the holiday break and earn a big win at home this Wednesday.
San Jose Sharks @ Anaheim Ducks
Wednesday, 10:00 PM ET
A slow start to the season will prevent the Ducks from having a shot at the playoffs, but they do have pride to play for, as well as the future under new head coach Bruce Boudreau. The insertion of Boudreau as the main man in Anaheim hasn?t helped turn things around the way that management thought it would, but these things take time, and it?s unlikely they will be ready to handle a tough team in San Jose that wants to make sure it doesn?t let another winnable game slide. The Sharks are currently on the outside looking in for the Western conference playoff race, which is simply unacceptable considering the team that they have as online wagering favorites.
