For hockey fans, what an interesting coincidence that Super Bowl XLVI was held in Indianapolis this particular week.
Except for the exploits of the Fort Wayne Komets, about the only thing linking hockey and Indiana is Wayne Gretzky.
The Great One and the Sycamore state? Please explain.
Due to rules against signing under-age players in 1978, the World Hockey Association was able to beat the NHL to the punch.
Thus, the defunct Indianapolis Racers drafted and signed the 16-year-old OMJHL single-season scoring record holder off the roster of the Sault Ste. Marie (Ont.) Greyhounds.
Later, the Racers were about to fold so Gretzky was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. The NHL, wanting Gretzky, ended the leagues’ salary war by absorbing four WHA teams...and the rest is Stanley Cup history.
Gretzky. Mark Messier. Jari Kurri. Glenn Anderson. Paul Coffey. Grant Fuhr.
And now Sam Gagner?
Yes, during the week of the Super Bowl, Gagner joined many of Edmonton’s legends with a career game, an 8-point effort (4 goals and 4 assists) against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gagner’s eight points tied the club record held by Gretzky and Coffey and fell two points shy of matching the league modern era mark of 10, set by Toronto’s Darryl Sittler on Feb. 7, 1976.
It was also the first eight-point game in the NHL since Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux did it on Dec. 31, 1988, against New Jersey –nearly a quarter-century ago.
The historical information is nice, but how do we use it for wagering purposes.
It’s a wake-up call to bettors that the Oilers may be a team to look toward for the balance of the season. Nobody is saying they’re going to make the playoffs, but Gagner’s effort wasn’t because of pure luck.
Throw in a victory over Detroit at Rexall Place over the weekend, Edmonton is now 4-0-1 in its last five outings due to a revitalized roster, as the Oilers’ once lengthy list of injured players is dwindling.
Defenseman Cam Barker returned from an ankle injury sustained in November. Rookie scoring leader Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is skating with the team and expected back this week, along with D Tom Gilbert. Their return leaves no one of note remaining on the injury list.
Central Division
Meanwhile, the slumping Blackhawks lost LW Andrew Brunette with an upper body injury against the Oilers, while C Brendan Morrison is still trying to fit in following his recent trade from Calgary during the NHL All-Star break. The Hawks have dropped five straight.
Detroit received bad news when goalie Jimmy Howard was lost due to a broken finger. Team doctors said he’s out 4-6 weeks; Howard countered with 2-3 weeks.
Should the Red Wings slump with back-up Ty Conklin in goal, the surging Nashville Predators (8-2-0 in last 10) could take over first place. The second-place Preds have won 6-of-8 on the road to surpass St. Louis, making them the current "best value" in the league.
The Blues, owners of the NHL’s best record at home, are a mere 8-11-3 away from home ice. Plus, they’ve lost all four games to Nashville this season. Wait on playing St. Louis until C Jason Arnott returns.
The poorest value among the better teams? Believe it or not, the Boston Bruins.
Following a 28-10-1 start this season, Boston has gone 4-6-1 of late, with at least one of those wins coming in a game that was off-the-board. And since the Bruins are often going off at -200 or more, the Bees are down more than 10 full units this calendar year. Ouch!
Thursday
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Rangers: After the Bolts beat Boston in mid-January, they’ve gone 6-0-1, while the Eastern Conference leading Blueshirts may be in look-ahead mood (Flyers, Capitals, Bruins and Hawks). Pick: Lightning (if they fall, go with them again at Buffalo on Saturday).
Friday
Anaheim at Detroit: The Ducks are flying high and you’ll get a value price with the Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Pick: Ducks.
Saturday
In virtually every game with Western Conference teams, most matchups stack up as UNDER plays.
Sunday
Florida at N.Y. Islanders: The Panthers may lead the Southeast Division, but the Isles are 4-1-2 in last 7 and want to avenge a pair of losses in October. Pick: Islanders (at plus-money, too).
GamingToday’s Micah Roberts went right back to the Oracle for a new Preakness pick and Jay Rood came up with his selection once he knew Union Rags was not headed to Pimlico.
An Internet gambling bill being considered by New Jersey lawmakers could allow Atlantic City’s casinos to take bets from people in other states or countries, although key details remain to be worked out.
The nation’s commercial casinos continued their slow-but-steady comeback from the recession last year, with revenues up 3 percent nationwide and jobs holding nearly steady, according to a report released Wednesday.
Revel, the $2.4 billion casino resort widely seen as Atlantic City’s best hope of survival, trailed most of its competition in its first month of operation, placing 8th out of the city’s 12 casinos.
New signs are up to direct visitors, the sidewalks have been power-washed, crosswalks have been freshly painted and 1,600 people have been hired to inaugurate the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland on Monday.
