NHL Odds Offseason Update - Boston Bruins
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
by Bodog Sportsbook
The Boston Bruins were a popular pick to win it all on Bodog’s NHL odds last season, but Boston struggled to score and was eventually ousted from the playoffs in humiliating fashion, coughing up a three games to none lead to the Flyers. With expectations tempered in 2010-11, can Boston make good on 14/1 Stanley Cup odds? This is its offseason update.
Shipping Phil Kessel to the Leafs last offseason proved costly for the Bruins, as they finished dead last in scoring a season ago. That problem could be rectified thanks to some strong moves this summer – one of which came directly from the Kessel trade. Boston took dynamic forward Tyler Seguin second overall, a pick it netted in the deal with Toronto.
Seguin isn’t the only new addition up front, however. Boston shipped defenseman Dennis Wideman and some picks to Florida for Nathan Horton. The forward is talented and has scored at least 20 goals in five straight seasons; with the right linemates Horton could crack the 30-goal plateau. The Bruins should now have enough scoring up front to make a drastic improvement; they’re not going to run and gun with the Washingtons of the league, but they won’t be getting shut out every other game, either.
Speaking of which, the team’s goaltending situation remains intact. Former Vezina winner Tim Thomas lost his job to rookie Tuukka Rask last year. The youngster was a tremendous bright spot and one of the main reasons Boston managed to make the playoffs despite scoring so few goals. Rask went 22-12-5 with a 1.97 GAA and, while his average will likely climb a bit this year, he should once again deliver strong nightly performances in net. Should he falter, Thomas will be waiting in the wings.
The Boston Bruins look like legit Cup contenders this year. A few small pieces like Seguin and Horton should improve scoring, and there’s little reason to believe the team’s No. 2 ranking in fewest goals allowed will decline much, if at all. Don’t sleep on Boston in the Eastern Conference.
Bet on Boston Bruins futures at Bodog Sportsbook
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boston bruins - dennis wideman - nathan horton - phil kessel - tim thomas - tuukka rask - tyler seguin
