Blackhawks ready to take center stage

Hockey Betting Lines

12/31/2008 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It would have been perfect if the Chicago Blackhawks could have carried their franchise-record winning streak into the Winter Classic, but it wasn't to be.

Despite the fact that the Detroit Red Wings -- Chicago's opponent in the outdoor game on New Year's Day -- easily handled the Blackhawks in a tune-up for the showdown at Wrigley Field, the Winter Classic will still be a coming- out party for the NHL's franchise in Chicago.

The Blackhawks, who like the Red Wings are an Original Six franchise, have experienced a renaissance in recent years as they've used a series of high draft picks to build one of the most exciting teams in the league.

For years, hockey in Chicago was a mere sideshow. After all, the Blackhawks have some serious competition in the Windy City, where two major league baseball franchises, the NFL's Bears and the NBA's Bulls also play.

While the Cubs, the loveable losers who call Wrigley Field home, are arguably the city's most cherished franchise it was the Bulls who captured hardware for Chicago in the 1990s. Michael Jordan's Bulls won six NBA titles in a span of eight years during the '90s and the team became synonymous with the word "dynasty".

The Blackhawks actually had a string of 28 straight playoff appearances from 1970-1997, but the Bulls, who had never won a title before Jordan's arrival, quickly trumped the city's consistent NHL franchise with their barrage of championships. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, haven't won a Stanley Cup title since 1961, a fact that even 50 straight years of making the playoffs wouldn't erase from the minds of Chicago hockey fans.

The problem for the Blackhawks is that since that lengthy postseason run, the club has made the playoffs just once (2002) in the last 10 seasons. Head coach Joel Quenneville and general manager Dale Tallon hope the Hawks can change that by getting back into the postseason this year.

The Blackhawks are certainly on the right track to make a return to the NHL's second season, as they head into the New Year second in the Central Division and just six points behind the Red Wings.

However, Detroit didn't seem impressed when the clubs met in Motown just two days before the outdoor showdown. The Blackhawks rolled into Detroit riding a franchise-record nine-game winning streak, but the Red Wings shut down Chicago and skated away with a 4-0 victory.

It was an impressive defensive performance by the defending Stanley Cup champions considering the Blackhawks had lit the lamp 24 times in their previous five games.

The same thing could happen to Chicago in the Winter Classic, but it's extremely difficult -- even for a team like Detroit -- to hold back the Blackhawks' potent offense in two straight games.

Chicago is the youngest team in the NHL and its leading offensive player, Patrick Kane, just turned 20 years old earlier this season. Kane, a native of Buffalo, NY where last year's Winter Classic was held, leads the Blackhawks with 41 points and is the player to watch in this year's outdoor battle.

Let's just hope Kane and other Chicago youngsters like Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg aren't slowed down by the outdoor ice surface, which can be a hindrance to quick skaters.

If the ice surface is easy to skate on, the Blackhawks will try to dictate the pace of the game and use speed and youth to their advantage against a veteran- laden Detroit squad.

The Blackhawks will certainly feel the pressure to perform not just for the crowd at Wrigley Field on New Year's Day, but also for the millions of folks tuning in at home. The thrill of playing in front of 41,000 hockey fans should wipe away any feelings of nervousness, however.

Chicago has waited a while for a hockey franchise it can be proud of to re- emerge and the 2008-09 Blackhawks have more than enough talent to fit that bill.

On New Year's Day, Kane and company will have a chance to show the rest of the hockey world what Chicago hockey fans already know...the Blackhawks are back.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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