Who Will Go First and Last in the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft?

Who Will Go First and Last in the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft?

by Richard Gardner | Bodog Sportsbook Manager

The NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft will be held for the first time in league history on Friday, January 28 in anticipation of the All-Star Game in Raleigh, Carolina two days later.

The fantasy draft is a new, inventive format for the NHL and one that has hockey fans excited for a game that, frankly, has been growing stale for quite some time. The premise is simple and goes back to the schoolyard or backyard rink when teams were decided by two captains picking the players. The best player goes first, the worst one last. (Granted, it?s tough to call any player who?s selected for an all-star game the ?worst? since they?re all pretty good.)

At Bodog, we?ve put together odds on which player will be the first one taken and, also, who will be the last one drafted. Now, it?s worth noting that the last selection must be a forward since all goalies and all defencemen have to be chosen before Round 15 of the draft.

Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes and Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings have been chosen as the team captains, so they?re out of the running for both categories. In addition, two alternate captains for each team will be named later and will assist the captains in the selection process.

So let?s get to who goes first. There are two favourites, Vancouver?s Henrik Sedin, the reigning MVP of the league, and Washington?s Alex Ovechkin, a fairly decent player himself. Both Sedin and Ovechkin are getting 4/1 odds to be selected first overall. After that it?s Pittsburgh?s Sidney Crosby at 5/1, followed by the Lightning?s star sniper, Steven Stamkos, at 7/1.

It will be interesting to see how the captains play this.

You have to think that if Lidstrom gets the first pick, which will be determined by a coin toss, that he?ll be tempted to look at his fellow Swedish countryman Sedin.

And if patriotism plays any part, Staal, a Canadian, might be pressured into picking Crosby first. Of course, Sid the Kid is widely considered the best player in the world, so it?s not like anyone would accuse Staal of favouritism.

As for Ovechkin, the Capitals? sniper is suffering through a rather disappointing season to date. One of the most dangerous goal-scorers in the game today, the Russian superstar has failed to match the torrid pace of his previous campaigns.

For those who relish uncomfortable moments, perhaps more entertaining than finding out which player will be selected first will be seeing who ends up chosen last.

Our current favourite is Blues forward David Backes (11/2), followed by Edmonton?s Ales Hemsky (6/1) and New Jersey Devil Patrik Elias (15/2). All three are fine players but Backes flies relatively under the radar in St. Louis while Hemsky and Elias are members of the two worst teams in the NHL.

Get all your 2011 NHL All-Star Game odds and make your hockey bets at Bodog.

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NBA Preview: Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at STAPLES Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 8-point favorites versus the Jazz, while the game's total is sitting at 197½.

In their last action, Utah was a 96-85 loser on the road against the 76ers. They failed to cover the 2.5?point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (181) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

The Lakers were a 107-97 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Nuggets. They covered the 1?point spread as favorites, while the total score (204) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Utah: Team record: 27-17 SU, 20-23-1 ATS Current streak: lost 4 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 9 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 14 of last 19 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers The total has gone UNDER in 8 of last 12 games when playing LA Lakers

When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing San Antonio are 5-5 After playing Philadelphia are 3-7 After a loss are 6-4

Los Angeles: Team record: 32-13 SU, 20-25 ATS

LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Utah The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games at home LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Utah

When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Sacramento are 7-3 After playing Denver are 7-3 After a win are 7-3

Next up: Utah home to San Antonio, Wednesday, January 26 LA Lakers home to Sacramento, Friday, January 28

 

 

Jazz vs. Lakers

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at American Airlines Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Clippers, while the game's total is sitting at 194.

In their last action, Los Angeles was a 113-109 winner at home against the Warriors. They failed to cover the 8.5?point spread as favorites, while the combined score (222) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

The Mavericks were an 87-86 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Nets. They failed to cover the 4.5?point spread as favorites, while the total score (173) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Los Angeles: Team record: 17-26 SU, 23-19-1 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Clippers last 7 games LA Clippers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 18 of the LA Clippers last 24 games when playing Dallas

When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 3-7 After playing Golden State are 5-5 After a win are 6-4

Dallas: Team record: 28-15 SU, 20-21-2 ATS

is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 18 of last 24 games when playing LA Clippers

When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Houston are 8-2 After playing New Jersey are 5-5 After a win are 6-4

Next up: LA Clippers at Houston, Wednesday, January 26 Dallas home to Houston, Thursday, January 27

 

 

Clippers vs. Mavericks

NCAA Basketball Preview: Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs

The Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Stegeman Coliseum.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulldogs listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Gators, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

Florida won its last outing, a 75-43 result against Arkansas on January 22. They covered in that game as a 9-point favorite.

Georgia was an 86-64 winner in their most recent outing at home against Mississippi State. They covered the 10?point spread as favorites.

Florida: Team record: 15-4 SU, 5-8 ATS Current streak: won 2 straight games.

is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Georgia

When playing on Tuesday are 8-2 Before playing Mississippi State are 8-2 After playing Arkansas are 6-4 After a win are 7-3

Georgia: Team record: 14-4 SU, 7-7 ATS

is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games when playing Florida The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games

When playing on Tuesday are 4-6 Before playing Kentucky are 5-5 After playing Mississippi State are 3-7 After a win are 8-2

Next up: Florida at Mississippi State, Saturday, January 29 Georgia at Kentucky, Saturday, January 29

 

Florida vs. Georgia

NCAA Basketball Preview: Purdue Boilermakers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Purdue Boilermakers and the Ohio State Buckeyes will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Value City Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Buckeyes listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Boilermakers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

Purdue was an 86-76 winner in its last match at home against Michigan State. They covered the 6.5?point spread as favorites.

Ohio State was a 73-68 winner in their most recent outing on the road against Illinois. They covered the 3.5?point spread as favorites.

Purdue: Team record: 17-3 SU, 11-5 ATS Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games on the road is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Ohio State is 2-8-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Ohio State

When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Minnesota are 7-3 After playing Michigan State are 7-3 After a win are 9-1

Ohio State: Team record: 20-0 SU, 9-8 ATS Current streak: won 20 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Purdue is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games when playing Purdue

When playing on Tuesday are 7-3 Before playing Northwestern are 7-3 After playing Illinois are 6-4 After a win are 10-0

Next up: Purdue home to Minnesota, Saturday, January 29 Ohio State at Northwestern, Saturday, January 29

 

Purdue vs. Ohio State

NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

The San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Oracle Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Spurs listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Warriors, while the game's total is sitting at 211.

Last time out for San Antonio, they were a 96-72 loser as they battled the Hornets on the road. The Spurs failed to cover in the match as a 1.5-point favorite, while 168 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Golden State lost its last outing, a 113-109 result against the Clippers on January 22. The Warriors covered in that game as an 8.5-point underdog, while the 222 combined points took the game OVER the total.

San Antonio: Team record: 37-7 SU, 25-17-2 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games on the road

When playing on Monday are 7-3 Before playing Utah are 5-5 After playing New Orleans are 6-4 After a loss are 6-4

Golden State: Team record: 19-24 SU, 25-18 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 5 games at home is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

When playing on Monday are 5-5 Before playing New Orleans are 3-7 After playing LA Clippers are 2-8 After a loss are 5-5

Next up: San Antonio at Utah, Wednesday, January 26 Golden State home to New Orleans, Wednesday, January 26

 

Spurs vs. Warriors

NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Monday when the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls meet at United Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 8-point favorites versus the Bucks, while the game's total is sitting at 178.

Milwaukee lost its last outing, a 94-81 result against the Grizzlies on January 22. The Bucks failed to cover in that game as a 2.5-point favorite, while the 175 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Chicago won its last outing, a 92-79 result against the Cavaliers on January 22. The Bulls failed to cover in that game as a 15.5-point favorite, while the 171 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Milwaukee: Team record: 16-25 SU, 19-21-1 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Chicago The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 9 games when playing on the road against Chicago

When playing on Monday are 6-4 Before playing Atlanta are 6-4 After playing Memphis are 2-8 After a loss are 4-6

Chicago: Team record: 30-14 SU, 25-18-1 ATS Current streak: won 2 straight games.

is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games

When playing on Monday are 6-4 Before playing Orlando are 6-4 After playing Cleveland are 5-5 After a win are 7-3

Next up: Milwaukee home to Atlanta, Wednesday, January 26 Chicago home to Orlando, Friday, January 28

 

 

Bucks vs. Bulls

NCAA Basketball Preview: Baylor Bears vs. Kansas State Wildcats

The Baylor Bears and the Kansas State Wildcats will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Bramlage Coliseum.

Oddsmakers currently have the Wildcats listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Bears, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

In their last action, Baylor was a 76-57 winner at home against Oklahoma State. They covered the 6.5?point spread as favorites.

Kansas State lost its last outing, a 64-56 result against Texas A&M on January 22. They failed to cover in that game as a 5-point underdog.

Baylor: Team record: 13-5 SU, 4-7 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 9 of last 13 games on the road is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Kansas State

When playing on Monday are 5-5 Before playing Colorado are 3-7 After playing Oklahoma State are 4-6 After a win are 7-3

Kansas State: Team record: 13-7 SU, 4-9 ATS Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 7 games when playing Baylor is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Baylor

When playing on Monday are 5-5 Before playing Kansas are 8-2 After playing Texas A&M are 6-4 After a loss are 6-4

Next up: Baylor home to Colorado, Saturday, January 29 Kansas State at Kansas, Saturday, January 29

 

Baylor vs. Kansas State

NCAA Basketball Preview: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Pittsburgh Panthers

The fans at Petersen Events Center will be treated to a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Pittsburgh Panthers when they take their seats on Monday.

Oddsmakers currently have the Panthers listed as 11-point favorites versus the Fighting Irish, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

Last time out for Notre Dame, they were an 80-75 winner as they battled Marquette at home. They covered in the match as a 3.5-point favorite.

Last time out for Pittsburgh, they were an 80-50 winner as they battled DePaul on the road. They covered in the match as a 16-point favorite.

Notre Dame: Team record: 16-4 SU, 8-7 ATS Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games on the road is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh

When playing on Monday are 7-3 Before playing DePaul are 5-5 After playing Marquette are 5-5 After a win are 7-3

Pittsburgh: Team record: 19-1 SU, 7-6 ATS Current streak: won 9 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Notre Dame is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Notre Dame

When playing on Monday are 4-6 Before playing Rutgers are 9-1 After playing DePaul are 5-1 After a win are 9-1

Next up: Notre Dame at DePaul, Thursday, February 3 Pittsburgh at Rutgers, Saturday, January 29

 

 

Notre Dame vs. Pitt

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