The Guru is not one to rest on laurels.  As the 2009-2010 National Hockey League and National Basketball Association commence action, the Guru has some predictions for the respective upcoming campaigns, and some handicapping suggestions to make watching these games and following season-long play more enjoyable and interesting.

National Hockey League

While the Guru is noted for selecting the best bet on the board, the selection here for the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions is the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Now, this is not a long-shot by any stretch of the imagination.  In fact, Pittsburgh is the defending champion of the NHL.  However, they are so deep and so talented that any other selection would be the equivalent of picking a rabbit out of a hat.

The Penguins have too much speed and firepower for all other contenders.  In addition, they have the best hockey player on the planet, Sidney Crosby, who is just entering the prime of his career.  If you’re lucky, some online sports gambling sites may have the Penguins at 3-1 or even 5-2 favourites.  Whatever you can get them at, bet $200 and you are guaranteed to double your money on this futures bet. 

While the Detroit Red Wings are perennial contenders in the West, a better bet would be the Chicago Black Hawks as the conference champ.  You can still get favourable odds on the Black Hawks for Western Conference Champs and a spot in the NHL Finals.  However, the Penguins figure to dispose of the Black Hawks in six games and repeat as NHL Champs.

National Basketball Association

Last year we predicted that the Los Angeles Lakers would capture the NBA crown, and we were right.  There looks to be even less competition to stand in their way of repeating as NBA Champs.  The Lakers picked up veteran defensive stalwart Ron Artest in the off-season, which will make them even tougher at playoff time.

If Kobe Bryant remains motivated, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t, the Lakers should win over 62 games this year.  Take the Lakers for $250 at 2-1 odds, and put another $100 on them to win more than 62 1/2 games.

While you’re at it, review the rest of my futures slate on my NBA online sports gambling card:

Eastern Conference Champs

Orlando Magic at 8-1

Over/Under Regular Season Win Totals

Boston Celtics 57 ½ (Under)

Utah Jazz 49 ½ (Under)

Chicago Bulls 40 ½ (Over)

Toronto Raptors 39 ½ (Under)

Philadelphia 76ers 40 ½ (Over)

Indiana Pacers 34 ½ (Under)

New Jersey Nets 28 ½ (Under)

Minnesota Timberwolves 26 ½ (Under)

As always, have a great year.  We’ll be running updates throughout the season, and also making selections on trends as they appear.