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PHT Oddsmaker: Let’s gamble on the NHL

Brian Elliott

PHT Oddsmaker will be a regular feature where we set pretend odds and pretend to gamble on them. If you’d like to bet real money, meet us in the alley and we’ll talk.

Total number of goalies to finish with a GAA below 2.00 (2.5)

We’ll use the “minimum 25 games” Jennings Trophy rule here. Currently six goalies are on pace – Brian Elliott (1.63 GAA), Tuukka Rask (1.66), Tim Thomas (1.84), Henrik Lundqvist (1.95), JS Giguere (1.95) and Jimmy Howard (1.95). Others in the running include Martin Biron (1.84 GAA, but only nine games played), Josh Harding (2.13), Nikolai Khabibulin (2.14), Jonathan Quick (2.15) and Cory Schneider (2.17). This is a tough one, but I’ll have to take the under. There’s just so little margin for error. One bad stretch and it’s over. Last year no goalie pulled it off – Thomas was the best at 2.00 on the button. Rask was the last to do it, registering a 1.97 mark in 2009-10. The most intriguing guy to watch should be Elliott, if only because he’s…Brian Elliott. The fact the Blues also have Jaroslav Halak might help, as Elliott is less likely to keep playing if he’s not on top of his game. Other goalies don’t have the luxury to take a rest and work things out in practice.

Odds Jarome Iginla gets traded by the deadline (+400)

If the streaking Flames are still in the playoff picture by the end of February, would they even consider trading their captain? That seems like a serious long shot. Besides, even if they’re completely out of it, Iginla might stay put -- he’s got a no-movement clause, so ultimately it’s up to him. Calgary’s been one of the better teams in the NHL since getting off to yet another poor start. The Flames are 8-3-3 in their last 15, and if they beat the Islanders Thursday, they’ll move to .500 for the first time all season. With a little help, they could also move into the top eight in the Western Conference. The odds are tempting, but I’ll pass.

Odds Erik Karlsson finishes with the most points among defensemen (EVEN)

At the moment he’s got 33, three more than Brian Campbell, four more than Shea Weber and eight more than Alex Edler (25). With points in 24 of Ottawa’s 37 games, Karlsson’s consistency is worth noting. The longest stretch he’s gone without a point is three games. Staying healthy will be important, but at 21 years old, he shouldn’t be hampered by nagging injuries. Sure, I’ll take this bet.