Time for some real sports. UFC 97 odds come this weekend and, more importantly, the Stanley Cup odds get going this Wednesday night. The race for team sports’ hardest trophy to win begins and (even though I’m a Leaf fan) I’m beside myself with excitment. These NHL betting playoffs should be extremely difficult to predict thanks the to the crazy parity in the league.

Here are some reasons why I’m AMPED to see playoff NHL betting again, in random order:

SEEING THE BLUE JACKETS IN THE PLAYOFFS

As I said Friday, the Jackets truly deserved their ticket to the big dance and it will be interesting to see how they and their fans respond.

DA RIVALRIES

The battle of Pennsylvania should be closer this season for sure and we all can’t get enough of that classic Habs-Bruins rivalry. Do the Bruins finally have the team to break that online betting curse? Also, if Boston, Carolina, Washington and Pittsburgh win in the first round…the Pens and Caps will go to WAR.

NO MORE SINGIN’ THE BLUES

The Blues don’t get a ton of NHL betting fanfare, but players consistently sing the city’s praises and they sure have a good young team (add Erik Johnson and Alex Pietrangelo to that blueline next year…terrifying). The fans have earned a competitive team.

THE UNITED CENTER WILL BE A-ROCKIN’

Sticking with the warm, fuzzy, good-to-see-a-good-hockey-city-get-playoff-hockey-back theme, I’m VERY pumped to see the Chicago Blackhawks get their building ready again for NHL playoff action. They led the NHL in attendance this season and the state of Illinois saw a huge spike in hockey enrolment. It’s hard not to cheer for the Flames as a Canadian, but the Hawks are just so damn cool these days…

MARTY’S BAG OF TRICKS

Does Brodeur have another sportsbook miracle up his sleeve? It would be neat to see him add to his legend with another deep Stanley Cup betting run…

Stay tuned tomorrow for series picks!