The sports Guru of www.onlinegambling.co.uk has emerged from hiding after selecting Louisville to take the NCAA Basketball crown earlier this month.  However, the Guru claims to have his mind clear, and he is anxious to hit the online gambling sportsbook parlours and place his bets from the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs of the National Hockey League. 

The N.H.L. had a decent year in 2008-09, but was hit hard by the economic recession, as were the other major sports.  As the Stanley Cup Playoffs commence, the Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the defending champs, the Detroit Red Wings, as a 3-1 favourite to once again take the crown.  The Red Wings are in the Western Conference of the N.H.L., where it figures to be a two-horse race between the Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks.  The Sharks are listed at 4-1, but some experts question whether or not their style is built for the rigors and physical play of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.   

Western Conference Could Surprise

The Guru feels that this is the year that a long-shot will advance from the West to the finals. The Anaheim Ducks, listed at 35-1, have the physical style to derail the high-flying Sharks in their first round match up, and advance to play Detroit in the next round.  With all-around talent, Scott Neidermeyer, leading the way, the Ducks will outlast the Red Wings in seven hard fought games.

The Ducks will then stumble in the Conference finals to the Vancouver Canucks, an awesome bet at 10-1 odds.  Vancouver will take the Ducks in six games, and they are a great bet to place for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.

 In the East, the powers from the big cities will advance.  The Rangers will upset the Washington Capitals, and New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins will all move into the second round.  The Penguins will upset the Devils and goalie Martin Brodeur, while the Boston Bruins will take the Rangers in five games.  Boston will have too much in the tank for the Penguins, and will advance to meet Vancouver in the finals.

This is the year of the Boston choke – Celtics won’t win, Red Sox won’t win.  The Patriots didn’t win, and neither will the Bruins.  Vancouver is your 2009 Stanley Cup Champ – take your 10-1 odds to the bank!