2008 NHL Predictions: Canadiens, Capitals Surge, Panthers a Bust

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Published on:
Oct/01/2008

Our Jenny Woo recently spoke with expert Hockey handicapper and Gambling911.com contributor, Ron Raymond, about who he believed would be successful in the NHL this season. He offered us a few of his own 2008 NFL predictions.

Jenny: Gambling911.com is going to be delving heavily into the hockey betting arena for the first time this year. Give us your forecast for which teams will enjoy success. A surprise team or two? Best Canadian team? Who is going all the way?

Ron: In the eastern conference, I believe this is the year the Montreal Canadiens go far into the playoffs. Plus, I expect the Washington Capitals to get further into the second or maybe the 3rd round of the playoffs if they can get good goaltending by Jose Theodore. In the Western conference, I'm big on the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. Don't get me wrong, Detroit is the top dog in the West, but fatigue will catch up like it has for every other Stanley Cup champions of the past 10 years. Going back to back is very tough to do now in this parity era of sports. I like the fact the Stars got Richards at the trade deadline last season and look for Avery to give them more grit.

Jenny: Who will be disappointing a lot of fans this season?

Ron: Sorry to tell you Jenny, but your Florida Panthers are going to suck and suck big time this season! They have no identity on this team, when Stephen Weiss is your first line center, you have problems. I see them being last in the league. I don't like what the NY Islanders have done in the off season, when I look at their second and their line scoring, I don't see Dough Weight or Mike Sillinger getting more than 12 goals this season. In order to make the playoffs, you need for your second line players to score 20 or more goals and I don't see it from this Islanders line up. I think the Coyotes will be a disappointment again this season, as I think the other bottom feeders will be a bit better then Gretzky's boys. Those are 3 teams who will not make the playoffs this season.

And be sure to check out Ron Raymond's free picks at www.phoenixsports.com.

Wanna bet on the 2008 NHL? Bet on Hockey futures and each day's games at Sports Interaction, Canada's first online sports betting website. Gambling911.com readers are entitled to a special 15 percent signup bonus through October 15, 2008.

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