PHT Oddsmaker will be a regular feature where we set pretend odds and pretend to gamble on them. If you’d like to bet real money, meet us in the alley and we’ll talk.
Odds to win the Vezina for Jonathan Quick (+300)
The way things are looking right now, betting $100 to win $300 seems like a good investment. Quick already has three shutouts, two more than any other NHL goalie. After six starts, he’s 5-0-1 with a 0.81 GAA and .972 SV%. Those are Vezina numbers right there. Those are superhero numbers actually. I’m going to pass though. Sorry, can’t do it. Just feels like I’d be buying at the top of the market. There are too many other good goalies out there with the potential to win the Vezina. Tim Thomas. Henrik Lundqvist. Tomas Vokoun. Ryan Miller. Ilya Bryzgalov. Carey Price. Marc-Andre Fleury. Even Kari Lehtonen or Jacob Markstrom could make a run. The season just started.
Total points for Jason Spezza (O/U 81.5)
It feels like a long time since the Senators were ripping up the league with Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson leading the scoring charge. In 2007-08, Spezza finished tied for sixth in the NHL with 92 points. But it’s been a struggle ever since. Ottawa missed the playoffs in 2008-09, after which Heatley was traded to San Jose. In 2009-10, Spezza finished with just 57 points after missing 22 games due to injury. In 2010-11, Spezza again finished with 57 points after – again – missing a bunch of games due to injury. So far in 2011-12, however, Spezza has 12 points in nine games, putting him on pace to finish with 100-plus points. Granted, it’s highly unlikely he’ll reach the century mark, but I still like the over here. Obviously Spezza has the potential to be a point-per-game player. Plus, he’s really clicking with winger Milan Michalek. But perhaps most importantly, the Sens have a new coach in Paul MacLean. As you’ll recall, Cory Clouston wasn’t the most popular fellow with certain Ottawa players. A more positive attitude in the room should go a long way.
Eric Staal finishes season as a minus player (-500)
Risking a lot of money to win a little money is never easy, but Staal is already minus-9, the worst mark in the NHL. Now, before all the stat freaks jump down my throat yelling how plus/minus isn’t a good indicator of a player’s value, I get that. Doesn’t mean you can’t gamble on it. So put away your spreadsheets. Please. Staal plays over 20 minutes a game in Carolina and chances are the Hurricanes (3-3-3) won’t be that great this season. He’s already dug himself a sizable hole. Put me down for a few bucks here. I can buy a bag of chips with the winnings.
