The Super Bowl is finished, as is the football season. That means that the focus can now shift to the other major sports, such as hockey. This isn’t going to be a very quiet time for the bookmakers (Bookmaker Reviews) even though in many cases, the NFL offseason is a slower time.

This year, we’ll have the events that come along once every four years to generate some attention and some action, such as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup.

For hockey fans, the Olympics is a huge event and it will put a halt to the NHL season so that many of the pro players playing can suit up for their nations.

Leaving the Olympics aside for a minute, let’s take a look at what type of impact this might have on the NHL from a sports handicapping perspective.

Clearly, the best players from the NHL will be going to the Olympics. Just like the World Baseball Classic, while many people are exciting that their favorite stars will be playing for their nation, the reality is that this is going to have a big impact on the regular leagues once they get back into the swing.

For example, the San Jose Sharks are sending their top line of Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau to play in the Olympics for Team Canada. Most Sharks fans would rather see their big three have a two week rest rather than play extra hockey.

The ripple effect could be huge as internet sports betting sharps can attest to the fact that the NHL season is already long and the playoffs are quite the grind. That means that now the best players from a number of key teams have to play two extra weeks of hockey and then get back into the swing of things in the NHL.

Don’t count out injuries as some teams might lose their stars in the Olympics, which could have huge ramifications.

But on the flip side, if there is a team in the NHL that is a contender right now, and is not sending many players to the Olympics, they’ll have a prolonged period to rest and remain fresh for the stretch drive.

If you’re betting on hockey, enjoy the Olympics but keep an eye on how the fatigue factor might come into play for those players taking part in the Olympics.

It’s not quite the Super Bowl betting line, but sports wagering players should take a look at the NHL betting matchup between Toronto and New Jersey on Friday night, as the Devils were blanked in Canada on Tuesday, and it looked like the Maple Leafs were sparked by their new additions.

Maple Leafs vs Devils odds – Friday, February 5, 7:00 PM ET

Dion Phaneuf and Jean-Sebastien Giguere, both acquired in a weekend shakeup of the team by general manager Brian Burke, definitely made their presence felt in a 3-0 shutout of the Devils at home, as Giguere made 30 saves and became only the second Toronto goalie to get a shutout in his Maple Leaf debut. Phaneuf laid out Devils star Zach Parise within seven minutes of the first period, and then fought Colin White when he came over to defend Parise. Phaneuf led the team in shots, hits shifts and he was second in ice time, and with the news that Mike Komiserek will be out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, it looks like Phaneuf is preparing to carry a big load on the expensive Toronto blue line. Phil Kessel, Nikolai Kulemin and Francois Beauchemin all got on the scoresheet for the Maple Leafs.

Yann Denis got the start in place of Martin Brodeur and stopped 23 of 26 shots for the Devils, who has scored more than two goals just twice in their last 10 games. The Devils have never been known as an offensive juggernaut with their tight defensive system and Brodeur, a future Hall of Famer at the back, but their 146 goals rank them in the bottom third of the league. Word is that the Devils are interesting in jumping in the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes as the free-scoring winger is being dangled by Atlanta, but it’s hard to imagine him fitting in their rigid system.

You’d be better off going to a super casino and betting it all on red than betting on Maple Leafs on the road, where they’ve dropped nine of their last 10. The Devils will definitely be the favorites in New Jersey, even though they’re only 4-5-1 in their last 10 home games against the Maple Leafs. It’s too much to ask of Phaneuf to turn around the Leafs’ fortunes on the road just yet, and you can almost take to the bank that Brodeur will be starting this game after missing his first start since December 19^th.  New Jersey is 18-9 at home, and they’ll play with more confidence with Brodeur in between the pipes. Meanwhile, we’re still wondering where the goals are going to come from in Toronto.

Bet hockey Pick: New Jersey

NHL Betting – Red Wings vs. Sharks Preview

With the 2010 Super Bowl Line as the hottest topic of the day, hockey fans remain interested in the NHL playoff race as it heats up including key games Tuesday. Here is a preview of the San Jose Sharks versus Detroit Red Wings game.

Detroit Red Wings @ San Jose Sharks
Tuesday, February 2, 10:30PM (ET)

Western Conference rivals meet Tuesday night in the midst of an intense battle for playoff positioning. Sitting on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, the Detroit Red Wings are desperate for points. After a strong showing against the Pittsburgh Penguins this weekend, the Wings look to be trending up. The San Jose Sharks on the other hand, are fighting for top spot in the league and are one of the Western Conference’s legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

What Detroit Needs to do to Win
5dimes Review odds: +160

Capitalize on the power play: With key players including Tomas Holmstrom, Jason Williams, and Niclas Kronwall all returning from injury, the Red Wings’ power play should receive a major boost. Typically one of the strongest points for the Red Wings, their power play has struggled this season sitting around the mid-point of the league at 18%. Holmstrom is always a force in front of the oppositions net, while Williams is a solid setup man, and Kronwall has a hard shot from the blueline. If the Red Wings power play can click in this game, their offense might be too much for the Sharks.

Jimmy Howard must stay hot: Playing against the deep offense of the San Jose Sharks, Jimmy Howard will need to stand on his head. In his last two games, Howard has had a .968 save percentage and stole valuable points for the Red Wings. The concern in this game would be that the Red Wings might choose to go with the struggling Chris Osgood, or that Jimmy Howard will begin to hit a wall like many rookies do as the season progresses. Facing the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dany Heatley, the Red Wings can only hope that Howard continues to build his case for rookie of the year honors. If he does, he could steal a win for the Wings.

What San Jose Needs to do to Win
Online Sports Betting odds: -180

Get traffic in front of the net: Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard has been dynamic lately. Getting traffic in front of the net should allow the Sharks to put the puck in the back of the net. With three of the league’s top 10 scorers in Heatley, Marleau, and Thornton, the Sharks are never hard up for goals; however, Howard presents an almost unknown obstacle for the Sharks. Getting in Howard’s face throughout the game could fluster the young goaltender and allow the floodgates to open for the Sharks’ juggernaut offense.

Stay out of the penalty box: As one of the most penalized teams in the NHL, the Sharks have a bad habit for taking penalties at inopportune moments in games. Tough players including Ryan Clowe, Jody Shelly, and Brad Staubitz can mix it up with the best in the NHL; however, they must keep their emotions in check against the Red Wings. With the Red Wings’ top players now healthy, their power play will be a threat in this game. On the converse, the Red Wings are one of the least penalized teams in the National Hockey League, so when given an opportunity, the dynamic Sharks power play, quarterbacked by defenseman Dan Boyle, must score.

Yetserday was a reminder of the unpredictability of hockey. It was opposite day. I was feeling hot, took too many games thinking it was safe to ride some home favorites, and took a beating. 11/13 road team won last night. That doesn’t happen often. We were having a hell of a run and gave it all back.

That’s the way hockey goes sometimes, it’s very streaky business. I should have limited myself to 3 games. The Blackhawks loss hurt big time. They had a 5-1 loss going into the 3rd period and gave up 4 goals in the 3rd and then lost in a shootout. If they could have held onto that that one, that would have been a +175 win for a swing of 2.75 units, which would have kept us in the green.

Tonight, I hope they rebound as I’ll take a shot on them at home against a poor Ducks team. The line is -1.5 at +110.

Yesterday we hit a bump in the road. I can’t believe the Devils got blanked 3-0 at home and the Sabres only beat the Leads by a score of 3-2. There’s a bunch of hockey games to pick from tonight and I like a whole mess of ‘em. Here is what I like.

1.) Penguins -165 over MAPLE LEAFS (W)

2.) PREDATORS -145 over Ducks (L)

3.) Blackhawks -1.5 (+175) over WILD (L) * Hawks blow 5-1 lead in the 3rd period

4.) COYOTES -200 over Islanders — A steep price for the Coyotes, but I’ve been riding them and they haven’t disappointed me. (L)

5.) CANUCKS -170 over Flames (L)

6.) SHARKS -165 over Red Wings (L)

7.) KINGS -155 over Blues (L)

Opening Profit: 8.65 units

Closing Profit: (2.7 units)

Won back a few units yesterday and I’m going with 3 1-unit plays tonight.

1.) DEVILS -1.5 (+150) over Lightning (L)

2.) SABRES -1.5 (+165) over Maple Leafs (L)

3.) FLAMES -1.5 (+155) over Blue Jackets (L)

Opening Profit: 11.65 units

Closing Profit: 8.65 units.

I wasn’t thrilled with last night’s card and we gave a few units back, but we still got a win thanks to the Rangers. The plays are relatively inexpensive and I don’t want to lay -180 to take the Predators over Hurricanes since sometimes those Canes can surprise you. Again, this is a mediocre card. Nothing that I love. Here’s what I like tonight.

1.) Blackhawks -135 over BRUINS (W)

2.) CAPITALS -1.5 (+150) over Senators (W)

3.) OILERS -125 over Blue Jackets (L)

Opening Profit: 10.4 units

Closing Profit: 11.65 units

Yesterday was a big day. We added 3 units to our yearly profits and are sitting on 12 units of profit going into tonight. I’m not thrilled with tonight’s card, but I have three mediocre plays for tonight.

1.) SHARKS -1.5 (+130) over Blues (L)

2.) AVALANCHE -160 over Islanders (L)

3.) RANGERS -140 over Stars (W)

Opening Profit: 12 units

Closing Profit: 10.4 units

There’s a bunch of hockey games tonight. We’re sitting on 9.1 units of profit and here is how I seek to deploy it tonight.

1.) DEVILS -165 over Stars (W)

2.) CAPITALS -1.5 (+150) over Canadiens (W)

3.) BLACKHAWKS -1.5 (+120) over Wild (W)

4.) NASHVILLE -115 over Flames (L)

5.) CANUCKS -1.5 (+150) over Blue Jackets (W)

5.) Red Wings -120 over ANAHEIM (L)

Opening Profit: 9.1 units

Closing Profit: 12 units

Only two games tonight. I like a play on the Sharks.

1.) SAN JOSE -1.5 (+150) over Anaheim (L)

Opening Profit: 10.1 units

Opening Profit: 9.1 units