This year, the stars aligned for the Montreal Canadiens.  Hosting the NHL Entry Draft, and having the first overall pick.

The Montreal Canadiens haven’t held the first overall pick since 1980.  In 1980, the Canadiens selected Doug Wickenheiser.  Although Wickenheiser was favored by many teams to go first, he did not have a Hall of Fame career like third overall pick Denis Savard did, Savard was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks.

The quest for any player selected first overall in the NHL Draft is to bring the coveted Stanley Cup Trophy to that team.  As former first pick overall Nathan Mackinnon and the Colorado Avalanche did this year.  And already according to Betway, the Avalanche are favored to win the Cup 2022-23 season.

Denis Savard eventually did play for his boyhood idle Montreal Canadiens, capturing a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens back in 1993.  That marked the last time the Montreal Canadiens won a Cup.

Recently Savard spoke of that thrilling moment.

“When I talk about it now, I still have goosebumps,” he says. “It’s an amazing feeling. Especially being a kid that grew up in Montreal.

“Just to lift it – and it’s heavy, believe me. It’s the ultimate goal for any player to get to the final buzzer and to raise it up. It’s something that can never be taken away from you and something that as I watch the playoffs right now, it brings back a lot of great memories.

“That whole time, that whole summer was just incredible, just crazy. There were a lot of parties, I won’t lie to you, but rightly so. You can’t duplicate that; you can’t make that up.”

There are many similarities between this year’s NHL draft and that of 1980.  There was no consensus number one pick in both drafts.  Leading into this 2022 NHL draft, most pundits had Shane Wright going first overall.  However, on Draft night, the Montreal Canadiens selected Juraj Slafkovsky, while Shane Wright dropped to fourth picked by Seattle Kraken.

The Canadiens are re-building, after 30 years of mediocrity.  The 30-year drought is the longest in franchise history.  It also marks the last time a Canadian team won the cherished Cup.

Denis Savard too is surprised it’s been that long.  He comments “It’s pretty incredible that it’s been so long,” he says. “That just tells you the depth of our league.

“You’ve got franchises now that came in a few years back and have made it to the Finals. It’s very tough to build a winner. It’s as simple as that.”

Savard does mention what many people think, and that playing in Canada does not have the same appeal as it did before.

“Players get a choice now,” he explains. “Being a free agent, they could go to Florida, play for the Panthers or for Tampa, you could go and play for Dallas.

“When Canadian teams get really close to getting there, and they need that free agent, in a lot of cases they don’t get them.

“They go with cities that are a little warmer for their families. Part of that has something to do with it, I think, free agent players choosing to go to other cities.”

Just maybe, if you build a winning culture and a winning attitude, players would sign here.  Just look what the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to do.

“I’ll give you an example, Toronto with [John] Tavares. He went and signed there thinking he could win a Cup,” he explains.

“With the Canadian teams, the closer they get to winning a Cup, free agents will go there. There is no question because the ultimate goal is to raise the Cup. It’s not a question of it just being Florida or Dallas.

“Toronto is not far off, they possibly could do it next year, or in the next two, three years. They have a great leader and a great player in Matthews, and a bunch of other stars.

“The best player in the world, Connor McDavid, is with the Edmonton Oilers and, sooner or later, if they surround him, they get him more help, there’s a chance that they could go on and win a few Cups in a row. That’s how good he is.”

Savard doesn’t think the drought will hurt the future of the sport in Canada.  Canada’s the game. Hockey is our game,” he says. “I don’t think it’s ever going away. Ever. Sooner or later, it’s going to happen.

“You look at all the Canadian teams right now, Edmonton is close, Calgary’s close, Toronto is very, very capable of winning it in the next two or three years. I think they’ve learned a lot over the last two years. It’s a learning process.

“I don’t think [the drought] is going to hurt our game at all. As long as the teams stay competitive, which they will, we’re going to be fine.”

Hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world, and the NHL is one of the biggest hockey leagues in the world. The National Hockey League is one of the four Major Leagues in the United States, and also one of the most valuable sports organizations, worth 5 billion U.S. dollars, making it the fifth wealthiest sport league in the world.

The National Hockey League is comprised of 32 teams, 25 of which are in the United States, and the other seven are Canadian. The most popular NHL teams include the Montreal Canadiens, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Vancouver Canucks, etc. In both the United States, and Canada, hockey is one of the most popular sports when it comes to betting (and in fact it is the most popular in Canada). In this article we will look at a few tips for placing bets on hockey, and sports in general.

Finding the Right Site

The most important thing before placing bets, is finding the right venue through which you are planning to place bets. This can be a land-based betting shop, however, thanks to the rise in popularity of online betting, online sportsbooks are becoming much more popular. www.novibet.ie is  becoming more and more popular due to their accessibility and ease-of-use. For bettors who have little time to go to the betting shop, or even for those who prefer to bet from the comfort of their home, online betting sites are a great option.

Start out Small and Move Up When You Are Ready

Before placing any bets, be sure that you are ready. Sometimes, new bettors will bite off more than they can chew and place a huge sum of money, without having done their proper research. This leads to a lot of stress headaches when their favored team loses, and they’ve lost a large sum. It is much better to start out placing small bets on the top performing teams, just so you can get a hang of the hobby. When you have won multiple bets this way, and when you’ve built up some skill, luck and confidence, then if you are feeling inclined to do so, you can place a higher bet on some higher-stakes.

Before Placing Bets Research the Sport, Teams, and Players

It goes without saying, that placing bets blindly on a favorite team, or “following your gut” are some of the biggest mistakes you can make when betting on any sport. We get having a favorite team, and wanting to stick by them, but when it comes to betting, you are placing your own money at risk. Before you do that, you have to be willing to research who the best players in the season are, who the best teams are, how betting on the sport works, etc.

Don’t Let Stress Take Over

Stress is the number one enemy for bettors. Often times, once a bet is placed, a bettor will let stress take over their decisions, which can lead to a number of bad choices. Once you’ve made a bet, even if it is a losing bet, take a deep breath and practice stress management. Not only will your day be better, but you also won’t make some bad choices.

The Florida Panthers became the ninth-straight team to win the Presidents’ Trophy but fail to win the Stanley Cup after suffering a premature exit from the playoffs in the second round. The Panthers were outstanding over the course of the season to finish with the best record, 58–18–6, in the NHL.

However, after beating the Washington Capitals in the first round, they were handed a test of their mettle against the back-to-back champions, Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrew Brunette’s men were not up to the challenge against the experience and nous of the Lightning, folding by a 4-0 margin. It raises the question across the NHL whether finishing top of the standings is a true reflection of the best team in the league. But how does this relate to the Montreal Canadiens?

Missed Opportunity

When the 2022/23 season begins, the Canadiens will certainly not be one of the leading contenders in the NHL odds to win the Presidents’ Trophy, having missed the post-season for the first time in two years, one season removed from suffering a defeat in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Canadiens failed to build on their breakout term and drifted well out of contention in the Eastern Conference by finishing bottom of the standings.

Although the campaign was disappointing, there is no reason for the Canadiens to be too downbeat about their hopes for the next campaign. They have a chance to rebuild their roster with draft picks and signings to bolster the ranks with head coach Martin St. Louis, who guided the franchise back into form after replacing Dominique Ducharme. It was too little too late to turn the campaign completely around, but the Canadiens do have hope for the future.

Room for Hope

Especially in the light of the success of teams that have risen from the wildcard or even second and third place in their respective divisions to win the Stanley Cup. The Canadiens’ 2020/21 campaign was proof of that, as although the divisions were re-aligned for the season, Montreal rose from the pack and defeated talented teams in the playoffs before losing out at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Canadiens can also take heed from their last Stanley Cup triumph in 1993. They finished fourth in the Prince of Wales Conference, eight games off the pace of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won the Presidents’ Trophy. However, Montreal unleashed a dominant run in the post-season to brush aside all comers to win the crown, defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 in the Finals. Whereas the Penguins lost in the second round of the post-season to the New York Islanders.

For all their exploits in the regular season, the Penguins failed to rise to the occasion, as did the Panthers in the current among the eight other sides in recent history that have failed to turn their outstanding regular season form into Stanley Cup success.

So, it proves that the Canadiens don’t have to go from the worst to the top of the standings, but an improvement is still required to move into the wildcard or the top three of the Atlantic Division. However, it does prove that all is not lost for the Canadiens.

Many people have embraced online sports betting for its convenience and its advantages. However, online gambling presents a few problems. Due to the high demand for different games on online sites, many online bookmakers have popped up. While a good number of these casinos, such as Everygame mobile casino are totally legitimate, some are there for the entire purpose of scamming.

It might be difficult to tell which site is legitimate and which one isn’t, especially for beginners that lack a trained eye. Being constantly worried about your safety as you bet on your favorite hockey team may affect your judgment and, ultimately, your winnings.

Fortunately, there are some pretty straightforward ways to spot a shady online casino, and doing so ensures that you are staying safe as you enjoy your games. Here are some of them.

1. The RTP cannot be found or is too low

A safe and reputable online casino has an RTP of above 80%. One of the best ways to identify a shady casino is to analyze the percentage of money going back to the players from all bets. On average, the return to player (RTP) from a trusted online casino falls between 94-98% or above 80%.

If the online bookmaker is rigging the game to the extent that the house is edging a colossal percentage while the RTP is lower than 80%, you should definitely steer clear of such a site. Additionally, go a step further by choosing a site that displays its RTP with a link leading to the authorization with a verified return to player amount.

2. Messy withdrawals

Say you place the correct odds and win yourself some cash; it should be easy to withdraw your winnings and channel them into your personal account. If you have to wait for several days, weeks, or even months, this may not be the best bookmaker. Research the history of the online sports betting site and read reviews.

If they claim to be paying players promptly and a few months later, everyone is still complaining about unsettled winnings; that is very concerning. It might mean that they just wanted to get people to open accounts with them, intending to scam them in the long run. Always sign up with a reputable casino that offers straightforward and multiple withdrawal options.

3. Personal data thefts

Many scams on the internet involve the theft of personal data. To ensure that you are safe from the different types of online scammers, you need to sign up with an online site with a reliable security mechanism. This way, your information is kept safe, and you can comfortably play online without worrying about your information being hacked.

Avoid sites that do not have “https” as their URL. Also, do not give out sensitive data to these casinos. For instance, if an online casino is asking for your social security numbers, there is a good chance that they want to hack into your account and scam you.

Top tips to maximize your online betting experience

Every day, people from all parts of the world visit online casinos for entertainment and to have a shot at successfully betting on hockey matches. This widespread appreciation for online gambling has caused the industry to blossom in a short period. Now that you can identify reputable sites when betting online, here are some tips to maximize your overall experience.

1. Join hockey chat rooms

Chat rooms provide an excellent opportunity to capture the experience of a traditional casino floor. Whether it is just a random conversation with a fellow player or a discussion on the latest NHL fixture, being part of a community you care about takes away the monotony that sometimes comes with everyday online betting.

Reputable casinos have active live sections, which offers punter like yourself an excellent opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals. Some face time or keyboard time with fellow hockey diehards will give you something to look forwards to. Ultimately, this will significantly boost your morale and improve your online betting experience. After all, everyone wants to be part of something.

2. Frequently take part in tournaments

Online tournaments are not a new concept. And if you are more of a competitive person than a random conversationalist, then online tournaments are a great way to enhance your online gambling experience. For starters, you can compete in hockey tournaments online against other fans, creating your own dream team.

Putting yourself out there and participating in these tournaments will help you gain some skills and learn about different styles and strategies. Other than improving your chances of correctly predicting hockey outcomes, you might be able to create lasting friendships. Competing will also improve your perception of betting.

Conclusion

This piece has covered three of the most common tell-tale signs that an online bookmaker isn’t what they purport to be. Always ensure that you open accounts with reputable sites for your safety as you bet online. With the tips provided above, you should easily have a better experience betting on your favorite hockey matches online moving forward.

There’s no pleasantries when stepping out on the ice against these teams

As all sports fans know, if there’s one thing that’s almost as fantastic a feeling as watching your team win, it’s watching your rival team lose. Times that feeling by a thousand if it’s actually your team that manage to inflict defeat on your biggest sporting foes. Well, the Montreal Canadiens are a hockey franchise that have acquired some truly legendary rivalries since they were founded way back in 1909. After all, as the most decorated NHL side of all-time, with their 24 Stanley Cup wins, it’s no real surprise, as success does breed resentment.  

Here’s a rundown of the Habs’ greatest rivalries then, as we discuss which teams they truly love to hate.  

The Boston Bruins 

Known as one of the greatest rivalries in the whole of sports, the Habs and the Boston Bruins have an intense disdain for one another that has mostly been borne out of familiarity. This tracks with the knowledge that the two sides have played each other more times, both in the regular season, and in the playoffs, than any other two teams in NHL history. No wonder there’s such bad blood on display between the two teams then, as they’ve faced each other an insane 931 times in all competitions. We’re delighted to say that the Habs have the upper hand though, with more games being won overall by those in red and blue.  

Habs vs Bruins rivalry

The rivalry evolved from mere dislike to utter hatred in the 1970’s, when both sides were real powerhouses in the league, constantly battling it out to get their hands on The Cup. Again, we’re pleased to say it was the Habs who came out on top, managing to win a miraculous six titles, with their silky smooth hockey dominating the boorish Bruins, whose hard-hitting tactics only captured them two in that decade. It was also during this era that the Habs were great enough to tie with the Soviet Union’s Olympic team, which was one of the best Montreal Canadiens moments of all-time. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs 

This rivalry shouldn’t be too difficult for outsiders to comprehend, as it’s between the two oldest teams in the NHL, but even more importantly than that, it’s the battle for Canadian supremacy of the national sport. Interestingly, historians account that the rivalry between the two cities began before the birth of the two clubs, with both Toronto and Montreal duelling it out for economic and cultural superiority during the 1800’s. So, when hockey was introduced in 1917, which was the first meeting between the two sides, this just further elevated the competitive nature between the cities.  

The rivalry really gathered steam in the Original Six era, which ran between 1942 and 1967. This was when, like the name suggests, there were only six teams competing in the NHL, and of those six, it was more often than not either the Habs, or the Leafs, celebrating come the end of the season. This meant that each fanbase saw themselves as the number one team in the country, and was a real source of national pride.  

The Habs have some of the fiercest rivalries in the league

Tampa Bay Lightning  

The previous two entries are historic enemies of the Habs, enemies that are now very much woven into the fabric of the franchise. This rivalry though, is a more modern one, one where the buds of loathing are only just beginning to bloom. The Tampa Bay Lightning were only founded in 1992, and like most late-comers in hockey, it took them a good few years to become a serious franchise. Since 2013 though, they’ve been in the Atlantic Division along with the Habs, where the two have been duking it out to reign supreme.  

In that time, they’ve also had some epic play-off meetings, including in 2004, 2014, 2015, 2021. There’s no doubt that as the important games continue to rack up, this rivalry will continue to grow and grow. Unfortunately, the Lightning currently have the most wins in these post-season games, winning twelve, to the Habs’ seven. It seems like most sports bettors will be backing Tampa at this moment in time, though we hope that changes soon.  

If you enjoy betting on the hockey or other sports, then SBO.net are the best place to find all the top betting sites on the web. They can also help you out with their guides to answering common betting questions, like what is implied probability? This allows you to have the greatest chance of winning, because your choices will be backed by both knowledge and betting advice. Don’t forget to also check out their massive range of tantalizing deals, such as free bets and cash-back on sign-up.  

Canadiens vs Lightning 2021 Stanley Cup Finals

When it comes to hockey stories, diehard fans pay attention to even the smallest and most speculative reports. Whether following their favorite player as the trade window opens or trying to learn more about their team’s history, there’s always a new story to follow.

Across the country, hockey sees plenty of coverage each day—and not just news-related. There are puck can coolers, fantasy sports leagues, and phrases immortalizing hockey as ‘the dance of life’.

Even some online casinos explore the sport through games like slots. Canadian site Wildz.com, for example, includes titles like Blazing Ice and All Sports, which draw on the sport’s natural excitement. But the Habs aren’t quite like the NHL’s other twenty-nine teams.

They’re the oldest team in the league, and one of the oldest active hockey clubs in the world. They’ve notched the most Stanley Cups despite a 28-year drought. Unsurprisingly, the team has seen more than a few controversies and upsets—as well as a few truly bizarre incidents.

Habs Ghosts Hijacked to Colorado

Patrick Roy is a legend. In addition to being named the NHL’s greatest goalie of all time and the only hockey player to nab three Conn Smythe awards in separate decades, he also brought home two Stanley Cups.

But there’s a legend which says that Roy took something from the arena when he left for the Avalanche in 1995 after an ‘infamous moment’ with Mario Tremblay: the friendly ghosts that haunted the stands. Apparently, the Montreal Forum was home to fanatical spirits that took to the rink to give the players extra luck and strength.

When Roy left, he packed the ghosts and took them to Colorado, where he went on to win two more Stanley Cups and put the Avalanche on the map—all while the Habs floundered. When Roy returned in 2021 to bury the hatchet with Tremblay, the Habs started winning—and went on to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Lightning.

Never Just a Jersey Number

The Habs seem to have finally found a replacement for Roy in Carey Price—and it all leads back to Price’s jersey number of 31. On May 31, 2021, the Habs were down 3-1 in a series against the Maple Leafs, who had taken 31 shots on goal. Then, three penalties were given and one power-play led to a goal. The team then won the game 3-1.

Price isn’t the first Hab to have a special relationship to his jersey number. Though Jesperi Kotkaniemi, number 15, had an up-and-down start to his career with the Habs before moving to the Hurricanes, he pulled out all the stops in a series against the Maple Leafs, during which the team were playing in front of fans for the first time in 15 months. At exactly 15:15 in overtime and taking the 15^th shot of the period during his 15^th minute of play, Kotkaniemi scored the game-winner.

What’s in a Name?

PK Subban was one of the Habs’ greatest assets—but there was an ongoing debate about the pronunciation of the Toronto-born star’s name. For English and French speakers, the abbreviation of PK is pronounced differently. Back in 2015, language groups advocated for a French pronunciation for broadcasters that were serving Francophone viewers.

After all, English broadcasters regularly mispronounced French names like Jean-Claude Tremblay (or just JC). Seven years later, it seems most broadcasting groups have stuck with a chosen pronunciation—not that Subban, currently on the New Jersey Devils, cared.

When asked by reporters from the Montreal Gazette how he felt about it in 2015, Subban said, “It sounds kind of sexy, actually. I like it.” He noted that he’d heard a French pronunciation used for his names on multiple occasions. Later on in the interview, he joked that if his name was going to be changed, “Just start calling me Denzel. Why not?”

Carey Price Receives Nomination For Masterton

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price has been honored with the team’s nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Every year, the award is presented “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.” One player from every team gets a nomination.

Price underwent knee surgery in July last offseason, just two weeks after the Habs fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final. In October, the 2015 Hart Trophy winner entered the NHL/NHLPA Player assistance program.

If he wins, Price will be the sixth Canadiens player to win the award. Claude Provost was the inaugural winner in 1968. Henri Richard (1975), Serge Savard (1979), Saku Koivu (2002) and Max Pacioretty (2012) are the other Habs players to have won the honors.

Though the Canadiens failed to end Canada’s Stanley Cup drought last year (29 years and counting), the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames will all give the country some hope this year. Having launched earlier this month, Ontario betting promotions are available for Canadians bettors now.

Customers can play online casinos or make bets through sportsbooks like BetMGM, BetRivers and bet365. They can also bet on futures such as the Stanley Cup winner. The Leafs and Flames are among the betting favorites at multiple major sportsbooks.

Price’s late-season return has been one of the few positives in a miserable season for Montreal. The Canadiens are guaranteed to finish dead last in the Atlantic Division by a wide margin, and they’ll be in the running for the first overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Price Will Get Knee Evaluated In New York

 Price is dealing with a knee, and it remains to be seen if he’ll return to the ice with the season winding down.

Per Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette, Price is listed as day-to-day and joined the team in New York this week. Price will undergo a medical evaluation relating to his surgically repaired knee.

The Canadiens will conclude their 2021-22 regular season against the Florida Panthers on Friday at the Bell Centre (7:00 p.m. EST).

Price, who turns 35 on Aug. 16, made his NHL debut on Apr. 15 in a home game against the New York Islanders. He turned aside 17 of 19 shots faced in a 3-0 defeat. Price also played on Apr. 19, Apr. 21 and Apr. 23.

Last year, Price agreed to go exposed in the Seattle Expansion Draft, but the Kraken ultimately decided not to select him. The franchise star has four years remaining on the eight-year, $84 million contract extension he signed in 2017.

Carey Price has many questions

At the Montreal Canadiens post-mortem after the season ended, Carey Price met the media and was quite open with the fact that he might have played his last game.

Carey Price s'adresse aux médias en direct du Complexe sportif Bell, pour le bilan de fin de saison.

Carey Price addresses the media from the Bell Sports Complex for his end of season media availability.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/BqVjJFDFcT

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 30, 2022

As Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports , Carey Price looking for answers as he ponders his future

Report: Martin St. Louis Will Retain Head Coach Position “If He Wants It”

The Canadiens saw their play improve drastically after Hockey Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis took over the bench boss duties midseason.

And according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, St. Louis will remain the head coach of the Canadiens if he so chooses.

“It’s his job if he wants it,” LeBrun wrote . “There’s no question GM Kent Hughes wants St. Louis back behind the bench. St. Louis has hinted that he probably will want to return but that he and Hughes would sit down after the season and discuss it.”

The Canadiens fired Dominique Ducharme following a difficult 8-30-7 start to the season. Ducharme’s firing took place almost an entire year before he was hired to replace Claude Julien in the 2020-21 season.

Canadian culture is filled with many interesting quirks, some of which include ice hockey and online casino gaming. And the Montreal Canadiens are a great representation of this culture.

The Canadian city of Montreal is well known for its love of sports events. In fact, it’s often considered to be North America’s number one host city for international events. Its ice hockey team of course, are world famous and patriots of the city are proud supporters. It’s not just physical sports that have become ingrained in Montreal culture however, it’s competition in general. Blackjack games are a regular hobby among local folk, with people often now choosing to play online on popular blackjack sites between sporting seasons to keep up the competitive buzz. In fact, their team is so popular that it has even made an appearance in the NHL All-Star Game 2022 blackjack skills contest, which is perfect for Vegas. The player who wins will be crowned “Puck Shark.”

That said, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite ice hockey team. Ah, the Montreal Canadiens, or “The Habs,” as we affectionately call them. What can you say? They’ve been around since 1909 and have seen it all – the good, the bad and the ugly. Is this one of their ugliest seasons so far?

The Montreal Canadiens have been playing professional ice hockey since 1909 and are one of the most iconic franchises in Canada. Fans have been following the team, watching their highs and lows since their inception. One of the oldest teams in the NHL, they have won 25 Stanley Cups in their history. The 2021-2022 season has brought many surprises from the Habs. Let’s look at some of their highlights so far.

Highlights for the Montreal Canadiens from 2021 to 2022

We are now halfway through the season and it’s time to look back at some of the key moments for the Montreal Canadiens thus far. We will cover some of the top events that made headlines and discuss what this means for the rest of the season.

Jake Allen and Justin Barron are done for the season

The Montreal Canadiens are going through some tough times this season. However, despite their troubles, there are still some bright spots for the team. Two key players, Jake Allen and Justin Barron, are out for the season due to injury. So, Jake (with a groin injury) and Justin (who suffered an ankle injury) are done for the year.

While it’s not surprising that they’ll be off the rink for the year, it is mildly disappointing. The loss of two of their core players will certainly be felt on the ice, but we know that these two exceptional individuals will continue to work hard off the ice and will be back better than ever next year.

However, on the plus side, it means that there is an opening on our goalie depth chart. We’ll be looking to fill that position with a rising star in the organization – someone who will provide us with more stability in the net.

Josh Anderson scores his 100th career goal

On and off the ice, we’ve seen a few interesting things from Josh Anderson. Anderson is showing he can be a power forward – a player who can score goals regularly and hit people hard when he does so. He might not have what it takes to play center on the power play, but he can play on a line next to players such as Jesperi Kotkaniemi or Mike McCarron, who are going to be able to handle any sort of physicality they see coming their way after being passed over for players like Alex Galchenyuk and Jonathan Drouin.

Josh Anderson scored his 100th career goal against the Winnipeg Jets in a game that ended in a 4–2 loss for the Montreal Canadiens. He scored a goal on two shots, blocked two shots and levied four hits. It took about eight seasons for Josh to reach the three-digit milestone. This was an important moment in his career as he joined a very exclusive list of players who have achieved such a feat while playing with the team. Check out the player stats here.

Joel Armia scores against his former team

Another highlight was when Joel Armia scored against his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, on Monday, April 11. He scored a goal on three shots in a game that ended in a 4–2 loss to the Jets. He spent three years with the Jets (2015–2018) before he joined the Canadiens.

Conclusion

The Montreal Canadiens are obviously having a rough time, with many of their players injured or just not pulling their weight. Sadly, they continue to hover around the bottom of their division, with a record of 20–42–11 (51 points).

We hope you’ve enjoyed this recap of the season so far. We shall see if the Canadiens have what it takes to make it to the top once again. Good luck for next season! Go, Habs. Go!

When it comes to ice hockey, wherever you are in the globe, the National Hockey League (NHL) is the undisputed top league. The NHL now has fans in every state as well as every country on the planet. With such a large following, it’s easy to see why the NHL is a favorite among sports bettors. The activity is fast-paced, and it may be profitable for a small group of sports bettors.

So, where should you start? As a beginner, it is a good idea to look at the various options available in terms of sportsbooks, as well as familiarize yourself with the main sports betting odds comparison sites. Beyond that, we’ve put together some tips that are essential for success.

Travel schedules

Travel schedules are vital in all sports, but in a physically demanding activity such as ice hockey, they become much more so. It’s a game in which your body is repeatedly pummeled, bruised and hammered. Consider the difference between playing two home games in a week against four away games in a week. Which side will be the most rested for the upcoming game?

You should keep an eye out for teams that you believe will be suffering from significant weariness, and check whether there is an option to bet against them. Remember that just because a team is fatigued or on a lengthy road trip does not always indicate they will lose. All it implies is that they will be less fresh, which will have an influence on their speed, power, concentration and overall performance.

You should also consider how far the teams will have to travel. You can guarantee that their sleep and healing will be hampered if they’re traveling long distances, and professional athletes or not, they are subject to the same stresses as everyone else.

Overvaluing statistics

Of course, you can’t overlook stats, but you should learn to be selective and analytical in the way that you use them. For a start, you should make sure that you get your numbers from a reliable source, such as one of the major media outlets, and even then, you should do occasional checks on their accuracy.

You should also focus on the stats that really matter. A lot of the data on TV that is thrown at fans is essentially useless, particularly trends statistics about how often a certain team has beaten another team on a particular day of the week. Ask yourself how useful, relevant and informative a stat is, and consider whether it is something that is obvious or something that may give you an edge.

Line matchups

Ice hockey is based around the concept of the line. A line is a selection of players who are on the ice at the same time. The lines can be adjusted at any time during a game and will logically be matched against the other team’s lines. So, to know how well a particular team will play, you will need to know how the lines will interact – with one another and with the other team.

You’re searching for line combinations that will lead to scoring chances. This kind of study is the gateway to enable you to go further into the team’s roster and identify circumstances where goals might be scored, which can give you an edge in the betting markets.

Looking for value

All of the other tips outlined here are important, but this is probably the most important of all. In fact, it is not so much a tip as a fundamental rule of successful betting. Essentially, the ability to recognize value bets is the key to long-term success. This sometimes means betting on NHL teams that you believe are more likely to lose than win, and not betting on teams that you think will win easily. The notion might be difficult to grasp at first, but once you understand, you will have opened the gateway to potential success.

To think of it another way, your win-loss record has nothing to do with sports betting or NHL betting success. Making a profit depends entirely on the return on your investment. Basically, almost all of your bets could be losers, yet you can still win a lot of money. Conversely, you might back a lot of winners and lose money. The key is that you are not looking for winners – you should be looking for situations in which the odds are in your favor. Once you bet according to this principle, you will be in a stronger position to succeed.

In the last five years, global eSports have become one of the hottest topics in digital entertainment and the future of global competitions. Today, eSports is poised to continue growing as an entertainment mainstay worldwide, especially as league formats, player rights and contracts, and team structures evolve.

Unsurprisingly, eSports has leaned on traditional sports to develop its infrastructure. While much of this relationship has been based on building out eSports rules and standards of operation, athletes and professional sports franchises have also invested time and money to develop promising teams.

For example, European football clubs have pivoted to eSports in leagues like FIFAe, which oversees football simulation competitions across the continent. For top clubs like the Premier League’s Manchester City and the Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig, hosting eSports teams help boost their visibility, as well as bring in extra profits from event winnings. 

The NHL is one of the latest leagues to capitalize on eSports—and the Habs aren’t falling behind. This past year, the Canadiens made two major decisions to incorporate eSports into the team’s brand. Are they the first of multiple forays into eSports? And what will further development in eSports look like for the Canadiens?

Habs Host the Winter eGames

Late last year, the Canadiens announced a brand new event: the Montreal Canadiens 2022 Winter eGames. The project was launched with Scotiabank, Coca-Cola, and Rival, which included more than $17,000 in prize winnings.

Unlike the FIFAe league mentioned above, the Habs competition included head-to-head battles in NHL 22, Madden 22, NBA 2K22, and Rocket League for both PlayStation and Xbox. Champions in each title (per console) walked away with Club-level tickets to the Habs, a signed practice jersey, gift card, and game giveaways.

The competition was hosted online through February. In addition to presenting the Habs as an eSports-friendly franchise, the idea was to create buzz between Habs fans, who are also eSports competitors. It’s the first event of this type to be hosted by any Canadian hockey franchise, which is critical for the Habs as they continue a much-needed rebuild.

Investing in OverActive

The Winter eGames is only the latest project from the Habs in terms of building out their eSports presence. Last April, the Canadiens announced a multi-million-dollar investment in OverActive Media. 

OverActive Media is an eSports organization that’s helped build out some of Canada’s most competitive teams, including MAD Lions, Toronto Defiant, and Toronto Ultra. The Toronto City Council recently approved plans to build a $500-million arena dedicated to eSports.

The move to invest in OverActive was led by president Geoff Molson. Along with new head coach Martin St. Louis, Molson is one of the most promising characters in the Canadiens franchise. His standpoint on joining the eSports boom will provide the Habs with crucial resources in the coming years, as experts believe eSports will continue to grow at a steady rate.

The Future with OverActive Media

Clearly, Molson’s push to become a part-owner of OverActive indicates a strong future between the Habs and eSports—and it’s not just from the Canadiens’ perspective. CEO of OverActive Media, Chris Overholt, has also targeted the Habs as a critical partnership. The team lends visibility to OverActive, and vice versa.

But the Habs won’t be alone in their partnership. Three top hockey stars have also invested in OverActive Media. First is Phil Kessel, right-wing for the Arizona Coyotes. Second is Carl Hagelin, left-wing for the Washington Capitals. Last is Mitch Marner, right-wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The idea here is for OverActive Media to position itself as a virtual MLSE. MLSE, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, commands much of Toronto’s sports entertainment. The group owns the city’s NBA, MLS, NHL, CFL, AHL, and G-League sports teams, as well as Scotiabank Arena.

Overholt was once part of MLSE’s board, which many consider responsible for reinvigorating life into Toronto’s sports scene. Now, as CEO of OverActive Media, Overholt’s partnership with the Habs could help spur transformation in the franchise right as it positions itself for a full (and hopefully lasting) rebuild.