Coming off a 100-point season and Northwest Division title, the Vancouver Canucks are picking up right where they left off with a perfect preseason so far. Roberto Luongo is leading a defense that has allowed just four goals to this point and the Sedin Twins, Henrik and Daniel, are pacing the offense. Vancouver's committment to winning even the preseason games could be a bettor's early cash machine.
When it comes to betting preseason hockey, sometimes it is best not to over-think it and just ride the streaks. Some teams have active position battles that bring out the best in their players; others just have coaches that take the games more seriously than others.
On the flip side, some teams don’t worry too much about the preseason and just make sure to stay healthy for the regular season, which is now just two weeks away.
There are plenty of teams doing well and doing poorly, but let’s take a look at the most extreme ends of the spectrum; the undefeated teams and the winless teams so far in 2009 (that have played in at least three games).
UNDEFEATED
Vancouver Canucks (4-0-0)
No team has had a better preseason than the Vancouver Canucks. Not only have they been winning, but they’ve been winning handily; three of their four wins have been by two goals or more. Roberto Luongo has had a nice preseason, as have backup goalies Andrew Raycroft and Cory Schneider. Vancouver’s stingy defense and goaltending have picked up where they left off last season, and what should be a strong team in the regular season is bringing it here in the preseason early.
Nashville Predators (3-0-0)
The Predators were totally unfazed playing back to back to back nights on September 17-19, picking up wins over Atlanta, Carolina, and Columbus. Averaging four goals a game so far this preseason, the Predators’ speedy offensive system has been on display no matter who’s been plugged into it.
WINLESS
Philadelphia Flyers (0-2-1)
Philadelphia has shifted into “win now” mode, trading quite a bit of the future away for veteran defenseman Chris Pronger. This is a team loaded with veterans and somewhat dry in terms of up-and-coming prospects. Veteran-heavy teams sometimes don’t worry as much about the preseason, and know that they can turn it on when it counts; and early returns show the Flyers are okay with coasting this preseason.
Columbus Blue Jackets (0-2-1)
The Blue Jackets are off to a slow start this season, but they stayed fairly competitive in the three games they lost, forcing overtime with the Penguins and losing by only one goal to the Predators. It is worth noting that star goaltender Steve Mason has only played in one game this season (the 2-0 loss to Minnesota), and all three of Columbus’s games have been on the road. With three straight home games coming up and Steve Mason likely to get some more ice time, Columbus may be able to turn things around this preseason.
I’d consider tailing Vancouver and Nashville as they really seem to be clicking this offseason, and would consider fading the Flyers as I can see them continuing to sleepwalk through the preseason. As for the Blue Jackets, a turn-around wouldn’t surprise me, so I’d probably avoid fading them.
Other hot teams that might be worth tailing; Boston (3-1-0), Detroit (2-1-0), Toronto (3-1-0).
And, as I mentioned in my last piece, a team always worth fading in the preseason, the Phoenix Coyotes (1-1-3).
Editor's Note: Vancouver moved to 5-0 with a win late Monday evening while Columbus picked up their first victory of the preseason with a 5-1 rout of Minnesota.
