NHL Betting Preview - Pacific Division is the Sharks to Lose

NHL Odds

San Jose Sharks +200
Anaheim Ducks +275
Dallas Stars +1000
Los Angeles Kings +1000
Phoenix Coyotes +2000

The Favorite

Not necessarily the favorite to win the Cup, but the San Jose Sharks are clearly the class of the Pacific Division. The addition of Dany Heatley gives the Sharks another offensive weapon along the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. But offense was never the Sharks problem. The loss of defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich may hurt San Jose more than they know. However the Sharks still have Evgeni Nabokov manning the pipes, and he has established himself as a top goalie in the league. San Jose is going all in this season, hoping to power their way through the league en route to the Stanley Cup Finals. It will result in another Pacific Division title, but that may be it.

The Sleepers

The Ducks will certainly miss the physical presence of Chris Pronger, but with Scott Niedermayer still patrolling the blue line the Ducks defense should still be in good shape. The trio of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan will provide the bulk of the scoring for a team that should make the playoffs.

Despite their offensive weapons, the Dallas Stars rise and fall with Marty Turco. If the goalie does not return to top form, and the loss of defensive great Sergei Zubov won’t help that cause, the Stars will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

The Kings are an interesting team. They have a great young core in Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty. They have a blue chip goalie in Jonathan Bernier. They needed a veteran presence and got that in Ryan Smyth. This could be the surprise team in the NHL.

The Long Shot

There isn’t a franchise in North America that’s been jerked around more than the Phoenix Coyotes. An owner that doesn’t want them, a potential buyer that wants to move them to Canada and a league that just wants to shove everything under the rug.

The recent departure of Wayne Gretzky as head coach may help the team in the long run, but The Great One brought credibility to a franchise that is in desperate need of any they can get. There is some talent hidden in the desert, like forwards Kyle Turris and Mikkel Boedker, but the off-ice questions are too much to overcome.

Outlook

This is the Sharks division to lose. They have more than enough talent to win the Pacific and possibly the Presidents’ Trophy. The Ducks are still formidable, and the Kings have the potential to do some special things, provided everything goes right for them. Dallas is slowly regressing. Phoenix fans (if there are any) should get to know the name Taylor Hall. Hall is the consensus Number 1 pick in the 2010 draft, and should be in a Coyotes uniform by opening day next season.

Pick: San Jose Sharks