NHL Betting on the Edmonton Oilers at SBG Global

The Oilers have disappointed many online NHL betting enthusiasts by failing to even qualify for the playoffs in the past two seasons, forcing NHL betting expectations in Edmonton to drop significantly. Nevertheless, the team’s acquisition of experienced defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky is seen by many NHL betting analysts as a move in the right direction for 2008-09.

NHL betting on the Oilers has been quite forgettable over the past two years. In 2006-07 the Oilers finished with a dismal 32-43-7 record and in 2007-08 the team slightly improved to 41-35-6. However, both records have left Edmonton on the outside looking in when gamblers have been NHL betting the postseason. The 2006-07 record was particularly surprising to many NHL betting enthusiasts because the team nearly won the Stanley Cup in the previous season, losing 4-3 to the Hurricanes in the Finals. Such a rapid decline is actually not unheard of in NHL betting, but such declines nevertheless continually shock the online NHL betting community, which rationally expects Stanley Cup teams of one year to at least reach the playoffs in the following year. For the Oilers to return to the playoffs they will need to significantly improve when playing at home. Last year the team did post a winning 23-17 home record, but NHL betting analysts know that such a record is not good enough to propel a team deep into the postseason.

Despite Edmonton’s recent struggles, some NHL betting analysts believe the team can improve in 2008-09 and quite possibly return to the postseason and offer better NHL betting value than it has in years past. By trading with the Kings for defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky the Oilers hope to bolster their defense. The Oilers’ defense has been recognized by some online NHL betting analysts as the main cause of its problems, meaning this trade could pay large dividends. However, attempts to sign both Marian Hossa and Jaromir Jagr proved unsuccessful. Acquiring either one of these players could have significantly improved Edmonton’s offense and given it new value in the eyes of NHL betting fans. But, by failing to significantly improve the team, most NHL betting analysts believe the Oilers have what it takes to return to the postseason in 2008-09, but not much else. Consequently, the Oilers may provide occasional online NHL betting value in the upcoming season, but one probably should not expect the team to enjoy another magical ride to the Stanley Cup.

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