Created in 1893, by Lord Stanley of Preston, the Stanley Cup Trophy has become the most difficult prize to win in all of sports. Fans betting on the prize have experienced many highs and lows ever since the first trophy holders, the Montreal Hockey Club, won the Stanley Cup in 1894. In the early years of the Cups establishment, it was easier for fans betting, to wager on which team would win the cup as there were fewer teams to choose from. Presently, the Stanley Cup is vied for by 30 teams, making it much more difficult to accurately wager on which club will win the trophy.

Although the Stanley Cup was officially created in 1893, the idea for a hockey trophy was thought of a year earlier by Lord Stanley, as along with his family, they fell in love with the game of hockey in 1889 after attending a winter festival in Montreal. Stanley believed that a championship cup trophy should be played for annually, with the top team having the honour of having their team name, player’s names and ownership engraved on the trophy.

Some of the traditions regarding the Stanley Cup, along with engraving ones name on it after winning, also include the championship being playing in a series in the beginning of June, as well as the winning team being allotted 100 days to keep the Cup. As noted above the winning club has their names engraved on the cup to prove that they were the champions of the specific year they won. Secondly, the Stanley Cup is awarded to the winning team in the beginning of June after two month playoff tournament, between the top 16 teams in the league who qualified after the regular season. Thirdly, after the Stanley Cup is won, players from the winning team are given 100 days to hold onto the trophy and display it to family and friends in their hometowns. After the 100 days are up, the following season begins with the defending Stanley Cup champions competing against the other teams for another chance to win the most prestigious trophy.

For the first time in 49 years, it was the Madhouse on Manhattan celebrating a Stanley Cup victory as captain Jonathan Toews accepted hockey’s holy grail from National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman at the Wachovia Center on Wednesday night. Despite blowing a 3-2 lead with less than four minutes to play in regulation time, and giving up a pair of point blank chances in the dying minutes of the third period, Chicago held on to force overtime and 21-year old Patrick Kane sealed their bet sports fate with the game-winning goal. Kane finished the 4-3 Game Six win with one goal and two assists, as the Blackhawks clinched the series four-games-to-two.

The hockey betting celebrations on the ice continued for over an hour, and included the presentation of the Conn Smythe trophy to Jonathan Toews, who was awarded as the Most Valuable Player to this team during these playoffs. Toews finished the postseason with 29 points in 22 games, which would have been good for the league lead if the Flyers’ Daniel Briere didn’t register three points in the loss to overtake the 22-year old captain on the final night. Perhaps more relieved than any of his teammates was Chicago winger Marian Hossa, who after consecutive years of reaching the cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings, was finally able to hoist the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks, where he signed a multi-year deal in the offseason.

When betting online, people can bet on anything, one such thing would be the vacant position in Tampa Bay for the Lightning’s general manager job. On Tuesday hockey fans betting on hall of famer and former Detroit Red Wing star Steve Yzerman as the right candidate for the vacancy would have been correct, as he was hired by new Lightning owner Jeff Vinik. Yzerman appears to be a perfect fit for the Lightning as he brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience both as a former player and from his mentoring by Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. Aside from winning three Stanley Cups as a player, Yzerman recently won gold as the general manager for Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team. By winning one of the biggest championships in the world, Yzerman became the perfect candidate for a Lightning squad plagued by controversy the last few years.

The last time the Lightning won the Stanley Cup was in 2004, six years ago. Since then, the team has struggled both on and off the ice, as current owner Vinik is the team’s third owner since 2008. On the ice, the team has accumulated the worst overall record in that three year time frame. As a result of such poor performances on the ice, the team has drafted Steven Stamkos first overall in 2008, Victor Hedman second overall in 2009, and at this year’s draft, they will be drafting fifth overall.  Yzerman inherits a team in Tampa Bay that on paper has many fans, general managers and coaches licking their chops. With Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Stamkos, Hedman, Ryan Malone, Steve Downie, and Mike Smith as the core of the team, many have pondered how this team is a basement dweller instead of a dynasty? Lightning fans watch out, with Yzerman at the helm, this is the greatest thing to happen since the 2004 Stanley Cup victory.

Sports betting experts normally shy away from discussing awards, but the race for this year’s NHL MVP is an interesting one. The finalists for the 2010 Hart Trophy for league MVP are Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Henrik Sedin. Crosby and Ovechkin are part of the usual cast of characters for the Hart Trophy, but Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks is new to the line-up and he may deserve the award more than the other two.

Sedin was one of the top point producing players in the league for the 2009-2010 season, and much of the NHL betting regarding the Canucks revolved around Sedin’s performance. The award would symbolically go to Henrik and his brother Daniel since the two are an inseparable pair, but the case for a Sedin win in the Hart Trophy race is compelling. The Penguins can win without Crosby and the Capitals can win without Ovechkin, but without the Sedins the Canucks are a much less potent team.

The exciting game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens marked the last game played in Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena. It is the only home the Penguins have ever known. Throughout its history it has been called the Civic Arena and earned the nickname “The Igloo” from its rounded dome roof that used to be able to open. The Penguins could not send the Mellon Arena off on a winning note, but they begin next season in a brand new home right next door to their old stomping ground.

Rumors are swirling in Detroit that Chris Osgood may be dealt away during the off-season. Now that the Red Wings have their starting goalie in Jimmy Howard, there is no longer room on the roster for two starters. It is unclear if Osgood will wait to be moved, or if he will retire.

Let’s start this NHL series preview off with some sports betting odds for these two teams. The Penguins are at the top of the Stanley Cup odds list as 14 to 5 favorites to repeat as champions, while the Canadiens are at the bottom of the list for teams still in the playoffs with 15 to 1 odds at winning the Cup.

In the Eastern Conference quarter-finals the Canadiens exploited the Washington Capitals’ one weakness; the Caps do not play as a team. The Canadiens were able to remain a rock solid unit as the Caps’ superstars buzzed around them. But the Penguins play as a solid team as well. Pittsburgh is all about shots on goal and bringing offense to the opposing team’s goaltender. The Penguins goaltending has been inconsistent in these playoffs with Marc-Andre Fleury, but to this point that has not been a major problem.

The Canadiens are riding the back of goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who held the Capitals to only two goals in the last three games of their first round series. Halak is an acrobatic goaltender that can be caught out of position sometimes, but he has the ability to recover.

In this series the Penguins will test the patience of Halak, and see if he is able to maintain his position in goal even with activity going on around him. They will pass the puck more than Halak ever saw in the Washington series, and they will shoot just as much.

The Canadiens will be relentless in their attack on Pittsburgh. They will make the Penguins pay for every battle in the corners, and when the Canadiens see an opening to get out of their zone they will take it. If Fleury is shaky in this series, then that could spell trouble for the Penguins.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins in 6

Well the playoffs are finally here; so what are the most exciting match ups to look out for.

Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens

There seems to be little doubt that Washington will win this series. They are a heavy favorite going in and for good reason. Their offense looks unstoppable, and what hockey fan doesn’t like offense.

The series promises to showcase goals, goals, and some more goals. Montreal simply lacks the tools to stop Washington. Their only hope is for Halak to try and keep it close.

Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes

Both teams surprised their fans this year; Phoenix by making the playoffs in style and Detroit by having to contend to make it. Will Phoenix’s Cinderella story continue? Or will the seasoned champions find their previous form?

The online sportsbook has Detroit as the slight favorites for game one. The truth is, this one is very difficult to predict. Will Phoenix’s fighting spirit prevail or will Detroit’s experience prove to be the defining factor?

Detroit seems to have really pulled it together in the last portion of the season. They are experienced, healthy, and on a winning streak. This series will most likely go the distance, but Detroit should find a way to get into the second round.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators

The Blackhawks are the heavy favorites going into this one. In fact, EA Sports predicts them to win the Stanley Cup. However, the Predators will not go down easy. Nashville understand the meaning of team and will come together to give Chicago a decent run.

Young Chicago seems to have it all this year. They bring youth, skill, and last year’s playoff experience, where Detroit beat them in the conference finals. The one downside is Brian Campbell is still injured and is not expected back until late in the second round.

NHL playoff odds are favoring Chicago, and for good reason. The Blackhawks should win this series, and with Campbell back in the second round, they have a great chance this year to go all the way.

The NHL trade deadline passed Wednesday afternoon.

Although several teams made moves to improve their rosters, others failed to make deals to address areas of weakness.

Among the most notable NHL trade day winners is the Los Angeles Kings.

Seated in fourth place in the Western conference at the deadline, the Kings weren’t expected to contend for a playoff spot in the west so soon. However with that a legitimate possibility with just 20 games left in the regular season, the Kings added some key veteran pieces on trade deadline day in Jeff Halpern and Fred Modin. What’s more impressive is it cost the Kings no higher than a third-round draft pick to make the desired moves.

Another team that wasn’t expected to contend for a playoff spot out west so soon was the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes acquired some offensive pieces at the deadline adding Wojtek Wolski from Colorado and Lee Stempniak from Toronto.

Although they made their deals before the deadline day, the Pittsburgh Penguins also made significant moves to improve their roster, acquiring a top-six forward in winger Alex Ponikarovsky and a depth defenseman in Jordon Leopold while losing no pieces that will hinder the team in the immediate future.

The Carolina Hurricanes, ranked fourteenth overall in the East heaing into deadline day, did an excellent job compiling draft picks and prospects in a rebuilding effort.

Buffalo may be a good sportsbook pick as a darkhorse on the strength of Ryan Miller, who has been the best goalie in the NHL all season, and is coming off an MVP performance from the Olympics. After getting a break on Tuesday, Miller will be back between the pipes on Wednesday when Buffalo hosts Washington.

Capitals vs Sabres odds – Wednesday, March 3, 7:00 PM ET

The Capitals lost three straight before the break, and that came after a 14-game winning streak, so the break probably came at a good time. Ovchekin and Alex Semin are coming back from a disappointing run in Vancouver as their Russian team was blasted 7-3 by Canada in the quarterfinals, so they could be eager to back on the horse in the NHL.

The Sabres have a tough return to NHL play, heading to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night (although Miller won’t have to face Sidney Crosby, who scored the game-winning goal for Canada against Miller in the gold-medal game), and then Washington. The Sabres aren’t an offensive juggernaut, and there’s a lot of pressure on Miller, but he’s used to it after the last two weeks.

The Sabres should be favored at home, as all three games that the Capitals lost before the break came on the road. These two have met three times this season, twice in Washington, and the home team has won all three games. Miller will get a huge ovation at home on Wednesday, and that could spark the crowd to get behind the Sabres, who are battling with Ottawa in the Northeast Division. Meanwhile, the Capitals still have problems in goal.

NHL betting pick: Buffalo

The NHL roster freeze will be lifted on March first and people doing sports betting know the trades will happen fast and furious as teams only have three days do get deals done. One of the key components to a championship team is goaltending and there are a couple teams looking to sell at the deadline. With Philadelphia and Chicago looking to upgrade their goalie situation, it could be a hot market.

Earlier this week the Nashville Predators announced that they have signed Pekka Rinne to a two-year contract extension. This puts backup Dan Ellis on the market as he will be a free agent in the summer and will look for money that the Preds are not willing to pay.

Trade rumors have cooled in Dallas after goaltender Alex Auld was sent through waivers, and will finish the season with the AHL’s Texas Stars. Earlier this month the Stars traded for Kari Lehtonen which left them with three goaltenders and all signs pointed to Marty Turco leaving town. Now this does not mean he is staying in Dallas; just more likely.

Rick Di Pietro is healthy again and the Islanders now find themselves with three goaltenders. Martin Biron and Brian Roloson have shared time in his absence but with Di Pietro’s unmovable contract one of them will be moved. With Roloson playing well it will most likely be Biron.

Montreal has been subject to trade rumors since Christmas but they have been tentative to give up on either Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak. After his strong showing for the Slovakian Olympic team, Halak would get them the best return.

There are two other goaltenders who have an outside chance of being traded. Tomas Vokoun’s name consistently comes up but with a no-trade clause and another year left on his contract he would be a hard piece to move. Murmurs out of Boston have the Bruins quietly shopping Tim Thomas after the emergence of Tukka Rask this season.

For all the Stanley Cup picks hype we saw for teams like San Jose, Detroit and Pittsburgh last season, two different teams had the top records down the stretch: Vancouver and St. Louis. Their hockey odds were long written off halfway through the year but they rallied from improbable odds to become contenders.

The big question is – who will play that role this season? What slow starter will make a second-half charge? Here are a few teams to consider when thinking about the stretch run and which teams will surprise in the hockey betting world. Notice the familiar faces.

Boston Bruins

The defense is already fixed – they’re a top-five defensive team in the NHL – but we just need to see the offense come back. Marc Savard will spread the wealth and make others around him better but the Bruins may need to acquire a forward before making a big run.

Vancouver Canucks

Yes, folks – the Canucks may be this year’s, er, Canucks. They faded into the background with a relatively slow start but Roberto Luongo is catching fire and Daniel Sedin is back from his broken foot. The Canucks could get hot and start crushing teams like they did last year during their hot streak.

Anaheim Ducks

Should we really give up on them this quickly? They still have an amazing top line with Perry/Getzlaf/Ryan and some good secondary scoring. If Scott Niedermayer had some help on the back end, these guys would climb back up the standings.

St. Louis Blues

This one’s the biggest long shot. Even though the Blues were the NHL’s best second-half team last year, they were ahead of schedule. This is still a young team that has a lot to learn and hasn’t developed a true No. 1 scoring threat yet. They could come together but next year is more likely.