SPORTS N STUFF

The ongoing drama in “La Belle Province” hit a new high this past week, with Montreal Canadiens winger Mike Cammalleri providing the media with some backhanded comments about the teams desire to win, their defensive system being a handicap, and his openness to be moved to another team. It didnt take long for Montreal General Manager Pierre Gauthier to address his request, and by the second period of Thursday nights game against the Boston Bruins, Cammalleri had already been traded to the Calgary Flames. The Flames are familiar with what Cammalleri can bring to the lineup as he opened his career out west and hope he can add some offense up front, with the Canadiens are hoping that Rene Bourque can help be a part of positive change on a team that has reached its low point in the sports bet season and is on the verge of being eliminated from contention in the Eastern conference.

Los Angeles Kings @ Vancouver Canucks
Tuesday, 10:00 PM ET

The team that Cammalleri was drafted by certainly could have been in the market for his services, as the Kings rank dead-last in the NHL with just 93 goals. Los Angeles will be in tough again on Tuesday night as they travel to face the highest scoring team in the Western conference in Vancouver, which is firing on all cylinders and playing confident hockey after knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins last week. The Canucks are also getting solid goaltending from the tandem of Roberto Luongo and Corey Schneider, which will make the Kings chances of putting up some goals that much tougher in this sports betting contest.

NHL Betting Pick: Vancouver Canucks

Calgary Flames @ San Jose Sharks
Tuesday, 10:30 PM ET

Cammalleri is likely destined to join captain Jarome Iginla on the top line in Calgary, and you have to think that they will out someone other than Olli Jokinen between that pair after the trio struggled together the first time around. The Flames are another team that has struggled to score goals, and should be in tough again on the road against a talented San Jose team that is finally on a roll. The Sharks struggled out of the gate in a conference that is ruled by parity, but after putting together a 7-1-2 run heading in to this past weekend, they were back to the top of the Pacific division.

NHL Betting Pick: San Jose Sharks

Washington Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens
Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET

The fact that the Canadiens have been consistent best sportsbook underdogs at home is testament to how trying this season has been, and their play at the Bell Centre has been a big part of their struggles as they havent been able to get on the right side of .500. Bourque will add some toughness and grit to the lineup while still being able to score goals, but Montreal will need a better effort from the players that he will join in order to tame a Capitals team that is finally starting to heat up under head coach Dale Hunter.

NHL Betting Pick: Montreal Canadiens