Just ran across these numbers and thought some may be interested in them. Before regular season Bodog and other sports betting sites release projected NHL team point totals inviting bettors to bet either over or under the total that the site has set for each team.

Thought it would be interesting to take a look at how Vegas expects teams to fare compared to last year. I broke down teams by division and included the points each teams earned last season. In parentheses are the number projected by oddsmakers for this season.

Atlantic

• Philadelphia 106 (100.5)
• Pittsburgh 103 (101)
• NY Rangers 93 (92)
• New Jersey 81 (92.5)
• NY islanders 73 (83.5)

Northeast

• Boston 103 (100.5)
• Montreal 96 (92.5)
• Buffalo 96 (100)
• Toronto 85 (88.5)
• Ottawa 74 (84.5)

Southeast

• Washington 107 (101.5)
• Tampa Bay 103 (94)
• Carolina 91 (83.5)
• Winnipeg 80 (79)
• Florida 74 (75.5)

Central

• Detroit 104 (101.5)
• Nashville 99 (92)
• Chicago 97 (95.5)
• St. Louis 87 (84.5)
• Columbus 81 (82)

Northwest

• Vancouver 117 (103)
• Calgary 94 (89)
• Minnesota 86 (82)
• Colorado 68 (82)
• Edmonton 62 (83.5)

Pacific

• San Jose 105 (100.5)
• Anaheim 99 (96)
• Phoenix 99 (94.5)
• Los Angeles 98 (101)
• Dallas 95 (92.5)

Just out of curiosity (since I'm such a curious guy), I went through this morning and looked up the possible outcomes of head to head matchups between this year's "sweet sixteen".

I ran through the playoffs in 3 different formats:

1. Head to head past 10 games. If series tied at 5 each, top seed advances.

2. Head to head past 10 games. If series tied at 5 each, lower seed advances.

3. Head to head past 5 games. I encountered no series ties here (obviously), so just one set of results.

Keep in mind, there are many things not factored in here. Shootouts, starting goalies and in some cases (especially in the 10 game sets) last season's playoff games are sometimes part of the equation.

Since head to head meetings are so rare between east and west (thanks, Gary), I only went as far as the Stanley Cup final. In some cases 5 games takes you back 6 years, so I find it irrelevant and will let you draw your own conclusions. Come to think of it, after looking at some of the results, I find the whole thing irrelevant. But, here it is anyways...

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Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts (my girlfriend booked the trip), I will not be in Vancouver for games 5, or if necessary, 6.  I will be busy scouting locations for Gary Bettman's latest wet dream....you guessed it, Vegas.

My dilemna, which I'm hoping you kind-hearted, salt of the earth people can help me with, is where is the best spot to watch Canuck games (preferably on the strip)?  I may have to blow a week's worth of wages playing pai gow or craps, but there is no way in Hell it is going to cost me one second of playoff hockey.

I've already had input from friends ( I won't say where, just to see how the responses match up), but any further info would be greatly appreciated.

In return, I pledge to represent the Canucks to the very best of my capabilities, and to leave no Hawk fan unmocked (in a kinda cool, I'm not a Vavcouverite douchebag kinda way). I will also locate the perfect spot for Kesler's Selke Award acceptance speech.

Thanks in advance,

Kesrows