Well, well, well. The Masters odds loom and the New Jersey Devils are playing like they’d rather be at home watching golf than playing playoff hockey. Luckily for them, they built a big enough division lead that they’ll still be very active in the Stanley Cup odds. But you have to wonder if Scott Clemmensen is smiling in his AHL prison right now.

Martin Brodeur returned about a month ago with flair and NHL betting fans were rejoicing. But some people — myself included — wondered what the shakeup, not to mention Scott Clemmensen’s unceremonious demotion, would do to the Devils’ chemistry.

Now, they’ve lost six in a row — included an embarrassing 6-1 drubbing against Pittsburgh last night — and there’s no sign that the bleeding will stop. It’s only natural to wonder if Brodeur’s return made the team sit back a bit to admire the work they did in his absence.

In the end, I say New Jersey bounces back. Brent Sutter is a great coach and Marty will find a way to recover. But Devils fans’ have to worry about their Stanley Cup betting hopes right now. A lot will depend on whom they face in the first round.

In the Final Four odds, Villanova and Michigan State have sneaked (sorry, “snuck” isn’t a word) their way to success. In NHL betting, Tim Thomas keeps doing the same.

The stumpy late bloomer with a hideous, beer-league style keeps on chugging for the mighty Boston Bruins. His stats this year: 32-11-7 with a 2.13 GAA, .931 save percentage and four shutouts. Wow. That’s not just a sportsbook hot streak. That’s Dominik Hasek territory.

Before you call Timmy a total fluke, remember that he was an All-Star last season too, posting a line of 28-19-6/2.44/.921 with three shutouts. Online betting fans have to wonder if he’ll steal the Vezina Trophy from Steve Mason. I wouldn’t give it to Thomas — Mason has way less defensive support, as Columbus doesn’t have a Chara or even a Wideman — but he sure has established himself as a premiere netminder in NHL betting.

Thomas’ last hurdle: playoff performance. He hasn’t won a series yet, thoug he’s only had one opportunity. For the Bruins to avoid being upset in the first round of Stanley Cup betting, he’ll have to bet at his best .

We all need a break from March Madness odds chatter sometimes, don’t we? Admittedly, the NHL betting world is low on news this week. Low enough that my mind started wandering. i peered at the NHL standings and shook my head when I saw Phoenix wallowing in the bottom of the Western Conference.

What a sorry excuse for a hockey franchise. It flopped after many online betting experts thought the Coyotes would fight for the eighth playoff spot in the West. Given the talent on the team, I can’t help but wonder if Wayne Gretzky is the root of the problem. Just as Scotty Bowman was a great coach despite never playing, maybe Gretzky is a terrible coach despite being arguably the greatest player of all time.

Why not put the Coyotes out of their misery and move them? Would the one NHL betting fan living in Phoenix care? We know Kansas City wants a franchise badly and has a new, state-of-the-art arena. What about Winnipeg or Halifax? Detractors say neither city has a big enough building. Um, Phoenix averages 14,937 fans a game, folks, and probably has to give tickets away. Are you telling me you couldn’t sell tickets in Halifax for double the price with a 15,000 seat arena?

The NHL betting experiment in the desert needs to end. Bring the Coyotes to a city that wants them, Gary Bettman. But I’d bet at the sportsbook that you won’t let them go north again.

Mike. Green. Is. Good.

Sorry about the song in that video…but it’s good viewing — especially the doozie of a goal at 0:35.

Relative to position, you could argue the man is in the midst of the best single-season offensive performance we’ve seen in hockey betting in 15 years. Maybe more. He has the Midas touch right now. I almost think you could enter him in the Daytona 500 line and he’d find a way to win…and set a speed record.

Fun facts about Mike Green, the Caps defender turning fantasy NHL betting on its head these days:

- 49 points in 42 games this season

- 21 goals in 42 games

- 26 points in 17 games in 2009

- 16 points in his last seven games

- Nine goals in his last seven games

- One or more goals in seven straight games, tying an NHL betting record for defensemen

…HOLY CRAP! If you’re into online betting, do you bet against Mike Green scoring a goal? Ever? If I’m at the sportsbook, I’m going with him until he proves I shouldn’t.