Carolina -.5 +125

[VegasVic]

Cbus has two squads playing today. As usual backing the home team in pre-season NHL is generally the right side. Away teams bring a majority of look see’s especially in the first three games, or so.

Also on Washington -.5 -110

Calgary -.5 +125

Hockey’s back baby

 

[Bushay]

Wow...its finally here.

 

[VegasVic]

Interesting story and another example of why hockey always has the most opportunity for soft lines.

I bet the Carolina game unaware the game had started almost two hours earlier. Once I got my 3 wagers in I happened to check the live lines and see the Canes are losing 4-2 with about 10 minutes left in the game. wtf?....I immediately call the shop and make them aware of the past post wager. They of course cancel it. My point is, can you imagine this scenario happening in the NBA, NFL, or MLB even if it was a obscure preseason game? Not a chance. Stay awake for late information, (i.e.: the Caps/Sabres game almost didn’t go because Buffalo just made it in due to travel difficulties). I know the limits are low for these games and it’s not like you can abuse the books but you can definitely help build a bankroll for the regular season.

 

[VegasVic]

By the way. Both games between the Oilers and Flames are on the web at 6:00 MST
http://flames.nhl.com

 

[Bushay]

Not sure who Pittsburgh is fielding, but this Detroit lineup doesnt look too bad.

 

[VegasVic]

Especially considering Crosby, Malkin, and Kunitz didn’t practice or scrimmage today.

 

[Bushay]

That 3rd pairing defenceman for Detroit named Backman has got some real high praise from Babcock. Says he has a good chance of stepping into the void Lidstrom few years ago. Not this year though I dont believe. Hes supposed to be real thin but has some very good qualities. Just Babcock mentioning him in the same breathe as Nick gives me a little wood. Gonna watch him close.

 

[Bushay]

Babcock says Howard for 2 periods with Mrazek finishing.

Same the following night. Gus gets period 1 and 2...Mrazek in for the 3rd again.

 

[Feddz]

which book's lines are you using for preseason?

 

[VegasVic]

which book's lines are you using for preseason?

5dimes and sportbet were the only ones that had numbers up yesterday as far as I know. I’ve always used 5dimes. 30 cent lines unfortunately but I’ve had no problem beating them for the last couple years. Numbers at 5dimes usually go up later than normal on game day.

 

[VegasVic]

That 3rd pairing defenceman for Detroit named Backman has got some real high praise from Babcock. Says he has a good chance of stepping into the void Lidstrom few years ago. Not this year though I dont believe. Hes supposed to be real thin but has some very good qualities. Just Babcock mentioning him in the same breathe as Nick gives me a little wood. Gonna watch him close.

I really have no idea what to expect from the wings this year. Losing Mantha for the first few weeks can’t be a good thing. Zetterberg’s wonky back and age is a concern. Speaking of bad backs and age will Alfredsson suit up? Datsyuk is 36 and one would have to expect diminishing numbers especially considering his injuries of the last 2 years. Howard looked rather ordinary last season. Weiss was a bust. All that being said Tatar and Nyquist were very impressive and I’m sure can be counted on big numbers again. More young talent in Jurco, DeKeyser, Sheahan. Lots of questions for me with this team.

What’s your unbiassed take on them Bushay?

 

[VegasVic]

Especially considering Crosby, Malkin, and Kunitz didn’t practice or scrimmage today.

All three are out tonight. Detroit looks like the player + 130

 

[Bushay]

I really have no idea what to expect from the wings this year. Losing Mantha for the first few weeks can’t be a good thing. Zetterberg’s wonky back and age is a concern. Speaking of bad backs and age will Alfredsson suit up? Datsyuk is 36 and one would have to expect diminishing numbers especially considering his injuries of the last 2 years. Howard looked rather ordinary last season. Weiss was a bust. All that being said Tatar and Nyquist were very impressive and I’m sure can be counted on big numbers again. More young talent in Jurco, DeKeyser, Sheahan. Lots of questions for me with this team.

What’s your unbiassed take on them Bushay?

I really don't think many had Mantha pegged for a spot so quickly. I'd rather see them go a little slower like they do the rest of the guys. This at least gives him a little time to stop and evaluate his future. I wasn't even aware of Mantha's injury till you mentioned it to be honest with you. I'll even admit i've yet to dig into this years training camp notes too deep. But my thoughts this season right now are that Babcock doesn't want a half healthy Alfie to work in and out of the lineup. When he's on the ice he's still more effective than 4/5 of the team. But if he's in and out on a reg basis, he'd rather work developing one of the other young guys, the effort will pay off much better in the future. Looking for Datsyuk to have a great season. I wouldnt hesitate drafting him in a fantasy league very high. Wont take much to get him right back in form. THey put 2 real aggressive players in Helm and Tatar tonight on his line. He's not getting older on the ice to me, he's trading in some energy for smarts these days. He's absolutely just as dangerous as ever. Detroit had a season last year where all these young guns seemed to develope at once and were able to play with any team in the league on any night. A trademark of Detroit teams. Now Babcock had an offseason to tinker exactly what he has and that usually works out pretty well in the past. Obvious needs are a solid no.1 D along with some depth back there. But this team is still going to need the Howard of a couple years back to re emerge and energize this young team if they really have a shot. I think Franzen might finally be moved for a quality no.1 Dman or some other help. Mantha could have sped up that process.
Weiss is not a bust yet. He couldn't skate the whole year with a groin injury. Nobody is giving him a mention. But should he turn out to be the guy they thought when they signed him for $5.5M. We got a brand new ballgame. And everyone knows the East is pretty weak right now. Dekeysor's yet to impress me in a wow fashion. Look for one of Jurco or Sheahan to get some similar type press as Nyquist and Tatar got last season. Sheahan is like a young Stephan Weiss. He's a big kid who likes to play in the dirty areas. And all these young kids are growing up together. Like the Bruins of late with Krug and Smith and Hamilton among others. Just hope it doesn't take as long as Edmonton's young kids are taking to put it all together. Wings still have some very solid veterans around to help form these younger guys. I don't think they will miss the playoffs, and there's a chance in the weaker East that they could get out front and energize them, but more likely they hover around the 3-7 slot come playoff time.

Thats about as unbiased as I get.

 

[Bushay]

Datsyuk to Tatar.

1-0 good guys

 

[Bushay]

Vic. Did 5 dimes have a line tonight on BOTH colorado games. Was just looking over the lineups now and see one of their lineups were really pitiful.

 

[VegasVic]

I’m not sure. I had just had early games. Detroit, NYR, Philly, (vs washington), Dallas, and NYI. The lineups for the Dallas/St Louis game were horribly lopsided. I was a click away from taking Winnipeg as well. Easily could have gone 5-1 tonight.