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.
Longest suspension to be handed out during the 2011-12 regular season (Over/under 8.5 games)
In other words, will any player do something worse in the eyes of the NHL than James Wisniewski did to Cal Clutterbuck in the preseason? There have been six suspensions doled out since the regular season started, none for more than five games. I also can’t help but wonder, if Wisniewski hit Clutterbuck now instead of then, would he still get eight games? Clearly Brendan Shanahan wanted to let everyone know there was a new sheriff in town when he took over, and he certainly got everyone’s attention. It’s different now. The players know he’s not messing around. I’ll take the under here, though I hate the thought of underestimating the potential for certain hockey players to do really stupid stuff. Is Trevor Gillies in the NHL anymore?
Which player will finish with more points? Teemu Selanne (-110) versus Jaromir Jagr (-110)
Selanne has 15 points in 17 games; Jagr’s got 17 in 17. This should be a close race, but I’ll take Selanne. The Ducks are desperate for scoring and even more desperate for wins. They can’t afford to rest anyone who can put the puck in the net, even if he’s 41. On the other hand, I can see the Flyers being extra careful with Jagr, 39, as the 82-game season progresses. Remember, the KHL only plays a 56-game schedule, plus the playoffs. The most games Jagr’s played in the last three years is 64. The Flyers will want him fresh for April, and since they already score lots of goals, dialing back his ice-time shouldn’t be a problem.
Odds the Minnesota Wild make the playoffs (+175)
Heading into tonight’s action, Minnesota (10-5-3) was four points clear of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. It’s just hard to believe it can stay that way. Let’s break it down. Here are the teams I’m fairly confident will make the playoffs in the West: Chicago, Detroit, San Jose and Vancouver. After those four, it’d be unfair to count out Nashville and Phoenix considering what they’ve done the past few seasons. Tough to picture Los Angeles failing to qualify. St. Louis is a talented team that’s starting to roll with Ken Hitchcock behind the bench. That’s eight teams right there, and I haven’t even mentioned Dallas, though the Stars haven’t looked very good lately. Even at those odds, I’ll have to pass on the Wild.
