NHL Games Previews for Monday January 21
After the various factions (the team owners and the team representatives) involved in North America's National Hockey League (NHL) reached a compromise a few weeks ago, the 2012-13 NHL Season lockout ended and at last given the green light to start, and start it has.
Although many hockey fans are still fuming at the way just over half the NHL season was cancelled as a result of the teams and players locking horns over what was essentially a labor dispute, and how hockey-related revenues should be split going forward, you wouldn't have known it judging by ice hockey ticket sales so far.
According to reports, so starved have fans been for their favorite sport, that the first 17 NHL openers were sold out, even at venues where sellouts are rare. So with the season back on track, the NHL betting question is which teams have the biggest shot of winning the Stanley Cup?
While too early to tell, tonight (Monday, January 21) three NHL games are scheduled, and here is a short preview of each, with betting lines and odds provided by leading UK (but Canadian-friendly) online sportsbook, Ladbrokes.
Winnipeg Jets at Boston Bruins Preview
If the Winnipeg Jets were hungry to start off the season with a win, they sure didn't show against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, who beat them 4-1. Although the Canadian team showed promise early on, by the third quarter they began to fade fast. So the question is whether the Jets have the longevity this early in the season to take on a team like the Bruins? I think not.
The Boston Bruins won their first games of the season 3-1 against the New York Rangers, displaying the kind of quality hockey that could take them very far this season. Where the Bruins seemed to continue from where they left off last season, the Rangers looked more than a little rusty and out of sorts. I expect the Bruins to come out swinging for the rafters again this evening.
Jets vs Bruins Odds
| Team | Handicap | Odds | Match betting |
| Winnipeg Jets | (+1.5) | 1.55 | 2.65 |
| Boston Bruins | (-1.5) | 2.60 | 1.52 |
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders Preview
To say that the Tampa Bay Lightning was a very mediocre team last season is a gross understatement, which is why they will be eager to get on the scoreboard fast and effectively this season, and build up some much-needed winning momentum. And so far so good, after they won their first game 6-3 against the Washington Capitals on Saturday. The question is whether they can make it two in a row?
Unlike tonight's opponents, the New York Islanders kicked off the season with a 1-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, despite playing their hearts out. Interestingly, the Devils scored their second goal in the third quarter, just over a minute after the Islanders scored an equalizer. But can they prevent a second home loss in a row tonight? For my NHL betting buck, I say yes.
Lightning vs Islanders Odds
| Team | Handicap | Odds | Match betting |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | (-1.5) | 3.30 | 1.83 |
| New York Islanders | (+1.5) | 1.35 | 2.00 |
St Louis Blues at Nashville Predators Preview
Of all the NHL season opening games, there is little doubt that the St. Louis Blues made the biggest impression after they crushed the Detroit Red Wings 6-0 last Saturday, leaving no doubt that they mean business this season.
In front of their home crowd, the Blues played "Stanley Cup standard" hockey, which doesn't bode well for their rivals tonight.
Unfortunately for their fans, the Nashville Predators did not live up to their name in their season opener against the Blue Jackets, after succumbing 2-3 in a sixth round shootout. Plus it did not go unnoticed that the team from Tennessee lost to a team with the worst record in 2011-12. Maybe the fact they are playing at home tonight will bolster their fragile confidence, but I don't think so.
Blues vs Predators Odds
| Team | Handicap | Odds | Match betting |
| St. Louis Blues | (+1.5) | 1.33 | 1.90 |
| Nashville Predators | (-1.5) | 3.50 | 1.90 |
