Sports betting players can expect a high-scoring affair when the NHL holds its 59th annual All-Star Game on Sunday in Ottawa, as players look at this as more of an exhibition and everyone wants to score, but no one wants to play defense. Lean towards the team that is captained by the franchise leader of the host city.
What: NHL Betting
When: Sunday, January 29th, 4:00 PM ET
Where: Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Pick: Team Alfredsson
Why Bet On Team Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson took all three of his Ottawa teammates, Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek and you’ll probably see all of the Senators on the ice to start the game. At the back, Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist will start, and he’ll be backed up by Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick and St. Louis’ Brian Elliot, one of the better stories of the year. Karlsson leads the blueliners, and he’ll be joined by Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang, Nashville’s Shea Weber, the Rangers’ Dan Girardi, Phoenix’s Keith Yandle and Vancouver’s Alex Edler.
Vancouver’s Sedin brothers, Henrik and Daniel, were both picked by their fellow Swede, Alfredsson, and you shouldn’t be surprised if you see the three playing on a line together at some point during the game. Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux is second in the league in points and he’ll line up at forward for Team Alfredsson. Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos is the only player in the league with more than 30 goals (he has 32) and he’ll also be on the home team. Pittsburgh’s James Neal, the Islanders’ John Tavares, Philadelphia’s Scottie Hartnell and Buffalo’s Jason Pominville also made the squad, while San Jose’s Logan Couture was the final overall pick, but he earned a car for his embarrassment.
The team will be coached by the Rangers’ John Tortorella and the Sharks’ Todd McLellan, and they’ll also aim to fit in a few rookies: Philadelphia’s Sean Couturier and Matt Read, Carolina’s Justin Faulk, the Rangers’ Carl Hagelin, Minnesota’s Nick Johnson and Nashville’s Craig Smith.
Why Bet On Team Chara
The giant Boston defenseman (who spent four years in Ottawa before going to Boston) also claimed his teammates, goalie Tim Thomas (who NHL betting players have seen cause a stir with his refusal to go to the White House) and Tyler Seguin, while assistant captain Joffrey Lupul will be backed by his Toronto teammates, Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk was the first overall pick, and he is joined by teammate Jimmy Howard, while Montreal’s Carey Price rounds out the goalies. The defensemen joining Chara on the blue line are Phialdelphia’s Kimmo Timonen, Nashville’s Ryan Suter, Florida’s Brian Campbell and Washington’s Dennis Wideman (a former teammate of Chara in Boston).
Up front with Datysuk, Seguin, Lupul and Kessel, scoring leader Evgeni Malkin from Pittsburgh is also on Team Chara, along with another former Senator, Marian Hossa of Chicago. Anaheim’s Corey Perry, Chicago’s Patrick Kane, Calgary’s Jarome Iginla, the Rangers’ Marian Gaborik, Edmonton’s Jordan Eberle and Dallas’ Jamie Benn, who recovered quickly from an appendectomy to play in this game, although the coaching staff will likely limit his minutes.
The coaching staff is led by Boston’s Claude Julien and his assistants, Doug Houda, Doug Jarvis and Geoff Ward, and they’ll also work a few rookies into the lineup, such as Buffalo’s Luke Adams, Montreal’s Raphael Diaz, Ottawa’s Colin Greening, Vancouver’s Cody Hodgson, Columbus’ Ryan Johansen and Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog.
How It Will Play Out
Sportsbooks are still working out the NHL betting odds for this contest as of Friday morning, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Team Alfredsson as the favorites, with all the Senators on the team and the crowd is going to be behind them 100%. They’ll also have it out for Team Chara with all the Maple Leafs on the roster; the “Battle of Ontario” is always heated, but with both teams actually challenging for a spot in the postseason, it’s gone up a notch this year and the Maple Leafs were booed heartily at the fantasy draft.
This game is going to come down to goaltending, and the goalies are often hung out to dry by the defense as everyone is pushing forward, trying to get on the scoresheet. The edge has to go to Team Alfredsson here with Lundqvist, Quick and Elliot, because Thomas has been distracted with the White House issue. Overall, the best bet is to take the over on the total, which also hasn’t been released, but it’s safe to say that the two teams will go over because no one plays defense (or hits) in this type of game. Roll with the home team in this online betting matchup.
NHL All-Star Game Betting Pick: Team Alfredsson