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PHT Oddsmaker: Let’s gamble on the NHL

Cody McCormick, Milan Lucic

Boston Bruins’ Milan Lucic, left, and Buffalo Sabres’ Cody McCormick fight in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 10, 2011, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

AP

PHT Oddsmaker will be a regular feature where we set pretend odds and pretend to gamble on them. If you’d like to bet real money, meet us in the alley and we’ll talk.

Total penalty minutes in tonight’s Buffalo-Boston game (Over/under 69.5)

The Sabres have to make a physical statement. Failing to respond is not an option. The bare minimum would be for one of them to challenge Milan Lucic to a fight. However, I have a hard time believing that will be it. Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff racked up over 1,200 PIM in his NHL career. He must’ve been absolutely mortified by his team’s indifference 11 days ago. The coach will expect a response tonight. The fans will expect a response tonight. Forget all this talk about the Sabres being a soft team. They’re still hockey players. I’m predicting multiple fights and misconducts. Take the over.

Odds Sidney Crosby wins the Hart Trophy (+800)

Earlier this week, an online sports book was offering these odds for real. They’ve since been pulled from the board. Probably because everyone hammered them. Crosby could easily win the Hart. First of all, he’s really good and there’s three quarters of a season left. Secondly, who else is going to win it? Phil Kessel? You’ll be excused for doubting he can stay Hart-worthy all season. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Hart Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. With all the attention concussions have been receiving in the media, if Crosby can come back and dominate like he’s done in the past, well, that’s a tempting sentimental vote right there. Will Crosby win the Hart? Probably not. Is 8/1 enough to make the risk worthwhile? Absolutely.

Goals for Alex Ovechkin in 2011-12 (Over/under 32.5)

He scored 32 last season, thus the line. At the moment he’s on pace for 30. I’ll take the over though. The reason being, if Ovechkin continues to struggle, a coaching change becomes even more likely. And if a coaching change occurs, the new guy won’t be playing Ovechkin 18 minutes a game. Chances are he’ll let No. 8 off his leash and let him do his thing. Obviously there’s a chance Bruce Boudreau will survive and Ovechkin will keep playing the way he’s playing. It’s just hard to bet Ovi can’t score 26 goals in his next 63 games.