I could have sworn I read something not that long ago about Pittsburgh wanting to sell off its hockey team. Was I dreaming? Wasn’t Mario Lemieux having second thoughts? Good thing they didn’t, right? At least they made it to the Stanley Cup Final…

Even on paper this one is tough to call. The Penguins have a 12-2 post-season record; whereas the Wings have a 12-4 post-season record. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are the undisputed dynamic duo who have led the offense for Pittsburgh (as well as Jordan Staal); and for Detroit, Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom have been effective. (They’re wishing Johan Franzen was back in the lineup, but ours is an imperfect world.) Both teams have depth on the defense and the offense.

So, is this thing going to come down to the team that has the better goaltender? If that’s the case then I like Red Wings’ net minder Chris Osgood. He’s been big throughout these playoffs and he’s got the experience. Marc-Andre Fleury has posted some solid numbers and while his confidence may be growing as these playoffs continue — I don’t think he can stand up to the wisdom that Detroit brings to this final matchup.

Who do you think will win the Stanley Cup? Bet on it.

The National Women’s Hockey League is the top senior women’s league in the world. It has top notch players, dedicated volunteer coaches and administrators, and has its very own, newly minted version of the Stanley Cup- the Clarkson Cup.

But like many women’s sports leagues, the NWHL can’t seem to snag corporate sponsorships; the players aren’t paid; and the league has no fan base, financial stability; media attention or big broadcast deals. It hasn’t come close to getting verbal, much less financial support, from the NHL.

Should this stop you from betting on women’s hockey? On the contrary. When a sport or league is starting from the bottom up, slowly gaining momentum, that is the best time to extend your betting fix. Consistently winning and losing teams are easy to identify thus making sure your betting dollar is getting it’s best return. Just think the WNBA. It’s slowly gaining momentum and a loyal fan base and is now one of the best places to bet your basketball dollar. Women’s hockey isn’t far behind.

Thanks to the advent of the “overtime loss” and the shootout, every NHL game that’s tied after 60 minutes is now a three-point affair; two for the eventual winner, one for the loser. Eleven teams finished the 2006-07 regular season with over 100 points.

The 100-point season may have become mundane, but someone still has to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record. Last year’s victors were the Buffalo Sabres with 113 points. Their chances in 2007-08 are slim following the exodus of Daniel Briere and Chris Drury; after 16 games, Buffalo was just 6-9-1 for 13 points.

This year’s safest pick out of the chute was the Ottawa Senators, who have posted four straight 100-point campaigns in the weaker Eastern Conference. Bryan Murray was kicked upstairs and John Paddock became the new bench boss; the Sens have responded with a 14-2 start to the season for 28 points, tops in the NHL at press time.

It’s not easy being a hockey fan if you live in Providence, Rhode Island. Fans there have waited 10 games for their Bruins to play this season’s home opener. Perched atop the Atlantic Division of the American Hockey League, Providence earned 17 of a possible 20 points (.850) on their long stretch of road games. It’s still early in the season but some analysts have the Bruins on their way to a 10th consecutive berth in the Calder Cup playoffs
Led by fifth-year head coach Scott Gordon, Providence ranks first in the league this season in both shots on goal taken (36.3 per game) and shots allowed (21.3 per game), while ranking second in scoring (3.80 goals per game) and fifth in defense (2.40 goals against per game). Highly-touted rookie Tuukka Rask is 6-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average after starting seven of Providence’s first eight games this season.
Expect an excited crowd this Wednesday as Providence finally hosts a home game, against the 3rd place Portland Pirates.

This is turning into the Year of the Goalie. Thirteen of them had save percentages of .920 or better heading into Sunday’s action. And you won’t find names like Roberto Luongo, Martin Brodeur and Dominik Hasek anywhere near that list.

Here’s who you will find in the Top 5:

Pascal Leclaire (.953): Five shutouts in nine games suggest the Columbus prospect has finally arrived.

Dan Ellis (.952): Nashville honked one by letting Tomas Vokoun go to Florida, but Ellis saved the day (for now) with four straight wins, including two shutouts.

Tim Thomas (.946): Taking full advantage of Manny Fernandez’ knee injury. Getting the job done for the Bruins this season.

Martin Biron (.940): Cast aside in Buffalo, but leading the Flyers’ surge back to respectability.

Henrik Lundqvist (.939): Don’t blame him for the ’ slow start. Three shutouts this season and only one shootout goal allowed in six attempts.