The trade deadline and Olympics run right into each other, and Pittsburgh are looking to shore up their team to make a run at back-to-back Stanley Cups. The Penguins made the best move of last year’s deadline, and they’re on the phone to grab another veteran winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby, fresh off his gold-medal winning goal in Vancouver.

The Penguins acquired Bill Guerin last year, and the 39-year-old notched 15 points in 24 games. This year’s target is Carolina’s Ray Whitney, the 37-year-old who is on the market due to the Hurricanes’ terrible season, and Whitney is third on the Hurricanes in points with 48, and he’s also a solid two-way player who is comfortable on the ice in any situation. Whitney scored 15 points in 24 points during Carolina’s 2006 run to the Stanley Cup, and he added 11 points in 18 playoff games last year. The Penguins have all the skill in the world in Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who won last year’s Conn Smythe Trophy, but it was Guerin who added grit and tenacity in the corners, and his veteran leadership surely rubbed off on Crosby, who played on the same line. Whitney would look good on a line with Malkin, who hasn’t been as dynamic as he was last year, and he could need a boost after a disappointing run in Vancouver. Los Angeles are the frontrunners for Whitney’s services, but don’t be surprised to see Whitney in the Igloo (as known as Mellon Arena) after Wednesday’s deadline.

You know how much I love hockey. You know how much I adore the NHL. All of this does not need to be stated more than once. I spent a pretty large amount of time last season writing about NHL odds, and since we’ve just finished the 2009-10 preseason, I’m more stoked than ever for the actual season to kick off on Thursday. Bring it on, hockey goons!

Alright, so here’s who I like to dominate the league - and who I’ll be doing some online sports betting on, once the lines come around - judging by their preseason performances:

Toronto Maple Leafs. Look, I don’t care. I don’t care about the negative naysayers, the jaded critics and the disbelievers. This is their year. I’m not so crazy to think they’ll be your best Stanley Cup pick, but with Burkie leading the charge and the blueline flattening anyone in their way (can’t wait to see them taking on Boston!), they’ll definitely make it to the playoffs this year. If they keep newbie Victor Stalberg as a regular on the team, watch for him to light up the scoreboard. I like that kid.

Boston Bruins. Speaking of Boston, the Bruins are one of my top two picks to make it to the final show. They got so achingly close last year, but now I’m betting they took the time in the offseason to fix the little mistakes that held them back. Chara is awesome, Tim Thomas is a force in net and I have a soft spot for Lucic. Keep an eye on these guys — especially Marc Savard, who’ll have another banner year even without Phil Kessel.

Vancouver Canucks. Yes, another Canadian team, and the only other one I favor to make a mark in hockey betting. (Sit down, Habs.) They’ve been looking stronger than ever in their preseason matchups, coasting high on the skills of Roberto Luongo (who looks like he’s thankfully shaken off any self-esteem issues after last year’s implosion) and the uber-skilled Sedin twins. Alex Burrows will be a consistent scoring machine, and if Sami Salo can stay healthy this time around, he’ll make a mark. Again, like Toronto, they’ll make a good playoff run but I don’t think it’s their time for the Cup just yet. But watch for the fireworks.

Chicago Blackhawks. They’re young, they’re fast, they’re feisty, and they’re ready to take back their 20 cents change. Jonathan Toews, Patricks Kane & Sharp, and impressive new acquisition Marian Hossa will definitely blow the roof off. They’ll miss Martin Havlat, though I think Dustin Byfuglien will step up in his place. I’m sort of iffy on their goal - Cristobal Huet has never really proven himself to be a steady #1 netminder, under pressure especially - and this could be the Hawks’ only weakness — that is, if they let their opponents get close to the net. Which is a serious “if”.

Other teams on my radar: Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils.

Teams so far off the radar they might as well be in Timbuktu: New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche.

So many sporting events lost in the chaos and hype that is March Madness odds! So many poor, neglected championships and playoff runs that go unnoticed to the dedicated legions of college basketball fans that become slaves to their brackets all month. (Also known as: many of the men in my life.) Oh well, that means there’s more for us multi-minded online sports betting players — like, say, Stanley Cup odds! Don’t worry, NHL, I haven’t forgotten about you. You’re my favorite.

Get well soon, scruffy Toskala!

As the playoff race tightens in the National Hockey League, it really becomes hard not to check the standings every single morning. Especially this season, when the final holder of the eighth playoff spot in both Eastern and Western Conferences is just brutally uncertain. The competition is crazy, man. Right now, hockey betting has got its eye on the Florida Panthers taking on the Buffalo Sabres tonight, and the cats really have to step their game up if they want to stay with Montreal (who are playing the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow and, barring any acts of God, will probably destroy them - sigh). Likewise, the Sabres are struggling to pull ahead of the Panthers, and will definitely be playing for their (playoff) lives tonight. Oh baby.

Craig Anderson’s sort of a tool.

Also racing into playoff contention is the Anaheim Ducks, who will make short work of the Colorade Avalanche tonight and keep ahead of Nashville, who are tying them for the eighth place spot. I have severe doubts the Ducks will even make the playoffs this year, but with their closest competition being the Preds, it might even happen that they both stay in the standings and push the Edmonton Oilers right out of the Western Conference. Dwayne Roloson’s improved goaltending aside, the Oilers are looking just weak right now.

I still love you, sexy Sheldon Souray.

Meanwhile, we’ve got some big names tonight too: how about some Flames vs Penguins odds? The game’s tonight, and I gotta say it looks like an even match. The Flames, while a strong team in general, are pretty terrible on the road - they lost to the LEAFS a few weeks ago, fer god’s sake - and they’ll be taking on the Pens on their home turf in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are sure to be steaming about their loss to rival Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, and they’ll be looking to take advantage of both the Flames’ lack of effort away from home and also Dion Phaneuf’s lackluster play as of late. Possible Olli Jokinen hat tricks notwithstanding, this could be a crazy one. Buckle up.

Plus, um, Sidney.

Thanks.

Mmmmm…hockey. Hockey on a Tuesday night. Is there anything better? No, really, is there any other reason to look forward to Tuesday? It’s not as crappy as Monday, but then again, it’s not exactly Hump-Day Wednesday either. And so, by default - happily so - Tuesday is NHL Odds Day. Hurrah!

But before we get to tonight’s matchups, a matter of great importance: one of my favorite hockey sites, Mother Pucker Hockey, did up a fun little poll for all the hockey-lovin’ girls out there — to vote for the hottest NHLer. Round 1 and Round 2 were intriguing (full disclaimer: I voted for Toskala), yet the final winner ended up being Henrik Lundqvist.

Really, ladies? I mean, really? Okay, so I get the hot suit-n-tie thing, and I completely understand the goalie sex appeal, but…ah, I don’t know. I guess this means I should highlight a couple of the good-lookin’ menz of the NHL:

Fair admittance: I am a big sucker for Kyle Wellwood. “Well-fed” or no, he’s adorable, and his comeback is pretty darn admirable. Go Wellwood!

Taylor Pyatt. What a cutie. Mmmm, pretty eyes.

That’s a pretty big stick you got there, Louie.

Mike Fisher. Carrie Underwood is one lucky bitch, I can say that. (To say nothing for Elisha Cuthbert and all the notches on her puck-bunny belt…)

Also, Sheldon Souray. Just Sheldon Souray in general. He could be his OWN hockey team of hotness. SOURAY FOR NEXT GQ COVER PLEASE.

I do agree, however, that Ovechkin is hot as long as he keeps his mouth shut. He seriously looks like the long-lost Russian Gallagher brother.

Alright, back to the sportsbook business. Tonight is toplined by a monumental struggle for a playoff spot: the Penguins vs Canadiens line. Both teams have been looking a little shabby lately - a lot more so than in the first half of the season - so they’ve both got a lot on the line in this one. Still, my poor Pens just lost to my equally poor Leafs on Saturday, so there’s obviously struggles going on there. I’d put my wager on the Habs to win. I could also probably watch Luke Schenn take down Tyler Kennedy - MULTIPLE TIMES - all day long:

That’s right.

Wednesday. Hump Day. Usually a relief to many, as the week is half-over. Probably not as much of a relief for Penguins fans nor sportsbook bettors, as the Capitals vs Penguins is happening tomorrow night and, unlike various players on both teams, it ain’t gonna be pretty.

(Well, okay, we can make an exception for drunk Alex. Vampire with a unibrow, lol)

Now look, here’s the big question, via article posted by my dear friend Anna: Why does Crosby play second fiddle? Unlike Anna, who’s a Malkin fangirl for some strange reason (though she and I DID meet through a Penguins forum years ago), I’m a Crosby girl through and through, and believe me, it’s been painful few weeks watching our dear Pens go down in flames.

But I know the Penguins still have it in them - even if the majority of Pittsburgh’s attention is on the Ravens vs Steelers line - and the sportsbook odds agree — with Gonchar returning and the Penguins fired up over their current losing streak, they should have enough juice left in ‘em to win over the Caps tomorrow. Let’s just hope we get a battle between Semin (boo!) and Crosby along with it. Sid will let Semin know where he can stick his wussy girly slaps.

Right now, I have to admit that I’m cheating on my hometown and having a love affair with Chicago.

There’s just something about Chitown that inspires adoration and devotion. The architecture is a stunning mix between vintage restoration and contemporary modernism, the food is fantastic, and there’s a sense of romantic history about the entire city — rather like New York City, but less crowded and polluted. And to me, Chicago is also synonamous with hockey, as the first Stanley Cup playoff series I can ever remember watching was between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins (yay!).

You’ve never been to Chicago? Go. Right now. Especially because you definitely don’t want to miss this year’s NHL Winter Classic - Red Wings vs Blackhawks - being held at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day.

The 2009 NHL Winter Classic line is a tricky one to cap. Normally, you’d look at the matchup of up-and-comers on the Blackhawks (who are, once again and finally, possible Stanley Cup contenders) versus the veterans of the Red Wings (who are, obviously, the current Stanley Cup holders), and you’d automatically lean towards the boys of Motor City. But, given that two of the Red Wings’ key players - defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and goaltender Chris Osgood - are day-to-day with injuries (Lidstrom may be back as early as tomorrow though), there may just be a chance for Chicago’s young guns yet.

Not to mention they’re a bunch of hot young hockey foxes.

(You can’t tell from that picture, but oh baby. Put ‘em up there next to the roster of Vancouver Canucks - MINUS Mats Sundin, thanks - for Alice’s holiday wish list.)

Still, if you’re a smart betting woman, you’ll know that hotness doesn’t necessarily win games — experience and skill does. And while the ‘Hawks are rising in those terms, the Red Wings have them licked when it comes to “big games” and the pressure that comes with it. I love the underdog here, but my overall sportsbook pick would be the Red Wings. Much as I’m still bitter that they beat my poor Pens in the playoffs last year…sighhh.

You know, I love this time of year. Not just because of the sprinklings of snow and the Christmas lights and the general holiday cheer (aside from the stampeding-crowd mentality and rabid consumerism at any of your nearby shopping malls, that is), but because by now the regular NHL season has been in full swing for two months, and things are getting interesting both in the sportsbook and on your TV. Granted, nothing so interesting as this, but what can you do with all the concern this season over concussions and injuries and possible death on ice:

(hey, unintentional tie-in to my last blog post — check out the soundtrack!) Now that there, ladies and gentlemen, is a hockey fight — actually, hockey fights, plural. Sure, it’s a bit of an oldie (Chara on the Sens!), but man oh man, it just keeps giving. Makes me feel sort of bad for the linesmen. The spirit of the Hanson Brothers lives on! (and I think it’s only appropriate that one of the commentators sounds like Jerry “The King” Lawler)

Even if, as I mentioned earlier, the general spirit of Hockey Fight In Canada (and elsewhere) is being intentionally toned down, there’ll still be plenty of action with the NHL lines tonight. The biggest matchup on the board is between two of the biggest teams in the league: the Ducks vs Sharks odds are here. Should be an easy enough pick; although the Ducks are literally flying this season, the Sharks have been taking a nasty bite out of all their opponents and currently stand at 14-0-2 at home. Insanity.

Anybody else remember when the Ducks were owned by Disney and had that stupid logo? Yep. (Though apparently it’s the top-selling logo of any of the teams, so what do I know)

As for me, I’m gonna be tuning in to the Islanders vs Penguins, maybe alternating with Tampa Bay vs Montreal. Gotta see if the Lightning are gonna bite back at Melrose, after all. Don’t get me wrong though, not much will be distracting me from this tonight:

Go get `em, Sid!

I love the NHL. It’s crazy. I love the NHL.

Hockey seems to be a somewhat more acceptable sport for women to be fans of; probably because if you were born Canadian and you’re a good Canadian girl, you’re pretty much required to love hockey. And to me, the NHL has all the action, drama, heroes and villains that you could find in any prime-time TV show (and we ain’t talking ProStars). In fact, I was just saying to a friend the other day how the NHL is just rife with reality-TV plotlines. And I would totally watch it, oh yes I would.

Speaking of drama and (un)intentional hilarity, I present to you James Van Riemsdyk: second-choice draft pick overall for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007. In the words of my colleague over at Best Pucking Bets: “He’s underage, but he’s supposed to be in shape and getting good grades. Instead, he’s passing out at parties with cocks drawn on him.” Behold:

The Flyers must be so proud.  (I particularly enjoy the “NHL!” scrawl. Cheer up, young Van Riemsdyk, you might turn out to be the next Kyle Wellwood!)

Something better for Philadelphia to look forward to: their match with the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow night. The game looks like it’ll definitely be tilting in Philly’s favor — watch for the NHL lines to confirm it. In the meantime, there’s some great Devils vs Penguins odds, which is definitely a no-brainer since Brodeur’s still out on injury and Sid the Kid is finally looking up to form. The Pens are 13-8 against the spread, you say? I’m liking those odds as much as I like the Penguins, which is to say: a whole lot.

Keep warm if you’re on the ice this weekend! I’m going to heat things up with this sweet pic of goaltending ubercutie Vesa Toskala:

Toronto media can shut their yaps. Finns always do it better.

Sidney Crosby, you’re so fine
I wish that I could make you mine.

My love for you just can’t wait,
I don’t care that you’re practically jailbait.

We could share personal grooming tips,
And live off money from your sponsorships!

Off the ice, you’re as nice as can be,
Not at all like that douchebag, Sean Avery.

And on the ice, you’re a sight to see,
But please, this year, no more injuries.

Just ignore Alexander Semin’s verbal racket,
At least your last name doesn’t mean ejaculate.

The Stanley Cup will be yours at last,
Then you and me, Kid, we’ll have a blast.

(Mario can come too)

Bet on NHL. Go Pens go!