Online Sports Betting Overview Sports enthusiasts are choosing between betting on March Madness basketball or following the 2011 NHL trade deadline. As the NHL trade rumors persist, some teams need to decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers as the trade deadline approaches. In the Eastern Conference, things seem pretty wide open even down to the 14th place New York Islanders. But as the season drags on, the Islanders may have to settle into the role of spoiler as opposed to making a legitimate move towards a playoff spot. At the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals have a couple of chances to move up. The decline of the Pittsburgh Penguins due to the loss of their two biggest stars has put fourth place in the division within Washington’s reach. The Capitals are also only three points out of first place in the Southeast Division. Each game is still vitally important to the Capitals. New York Islanders It is rare that a team can pull itself from the basement of a conference into playoff contention. In its last 10 games, New York is 6-3-1 and looked to be making a move into the playoff race about a month ago. But in order to make the leaps in the standings that the Islanders want to make they would need an effort similar to the one going on in New Jersey. The Islanders’ goaltending is no where near consistent enough to make a run like that. But the Islanders have hope for the future with their current roster. The team can look to being the spoiler for teams the rest of the way through and then try to address their defensive and goaltending issues in the offseason. That 15-year contract given to goalie Rick Dipietro a couple of years ago suddenly looks like one of the worst investments in sports history. Washington Capitals Maybe the Capitals have finally gotten it right this year. For the last few years, the Capitals have been concerned with being the best regular season team in the NHL. In each of those years, the Capitals have been severe playoff disappointments. This season, the Capitals are more concerned with making the playoffs than being the best regular season team in the league. The Capitals are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games and are on a two-game winning streak. The Capitals are only three points away from the Southeast Division leading Tampa Bay Lightning, but the Caps have their immediate sights set on fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Right now, fourth place is occupied by the rapidly falling Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Capitals are in a perfect position to take advantage of the Penguins’ woes. The Bottom Line The Islanders are not a terrible hockey team, but they do have elements that need a lot of work. Now is the time for the Islanders to start planning for the future. They need to get out from under that Dipietro contract and get a real goaltender for the future. The Capitals, on the other hand, will just keep rolling right into the playoffs but with a different attitude. This could be a very good year for the Capitals and their fans. Pick: Washington Capitals
