2005 NHL Hockey Preview

A great day to be a hockey fans as the NHL season finally starts. Some MAJOR rules changes for the 05-06 season that fans and gamblers should be aware of. Here is a listing of rule changes that may affect your gambling decisions.

1. Rink Dimensions
Goal lines will be pushed back two feet closer to the end boards, leaving just 11 feet behind the nets. The extra four feet will be added to attacking zones, as the blue lines will be 64 feet from the goal line. This reduces the neutral zone to 50 feet.

What this means to the gambler
Wider attack zones mean more offense, more offense means more goals and more goals mean bet the OVER! Especially in the beginning of the season the odd makers are going to under estimate the real impact of not only a bigger attack zone but a combination of two-line passes and a crack down on obstructions. There are going to be some high scoring games the first couple of weeks while the players adjust. The odd makers will be going through an adjustment period also.

2. Two-line passes
The center-ice red line no longer will be used to prevent teams from making two-line passes. A pass from the defensive zone to the attacking blue line now will be considered legal.

What this means to the gambler
Breakaway city! Look for trailing teams late in the third period to take advantage of this rule and have cherry pickers ready for long passes and one-on-one with the goalies. What do breakaways equal? Goals and again the odds makers will discount this fact and games will be higher scoring. Teams used to playing a trap like Minnesota will have a tough time keeping the neutral zone trap tight when skaters can legally receive a two line pass. In the past trapping teams ignored these skaters and let them roam behind the trap knowing the two-line pass was illegal. Trapping teams will soon learn after a couple of breakaway goals are scored that this no longer works.

3. Shootouts
Games no longer will end in a tie. If no winner is determined within 60 minutes, the game will go to a five-minute overtime with teams skating four-on-four. If the score is still tied after overtime, three players from each team will participate in a shootout. If the score remains even, the teams alternate with different shooters until one team has more goals.

What this means to the gambler
Goals, goals and more goals. I can't stress enough the difference this rule change will make. Did you know when the NHL went to a 4 on 4 overtime ties were reduced by 35%? Obviously the new shootout rule wipe out ties but the goals will increase. Great news for the over and great news for fans. This rule change should be exciting.

4. Obstruction crackdown
Officials have been instructed to take a "zero tolerance" stance at all times on all obstruction penalties, such as interference, holding and hooking.

What this means to the gambler
Get your sun tan lotion on goalies because the back of your neck is going be burned from that red light going off. Well maybe not, we've heard this one before. Two seasons ago the obstruction rule was supposed to be strictly enforced. Ref's started calling more obstruction penalties but by playoff time the whistled stayed in the pocket. I'm skeptical of this rule change and expect little to no change.

5. Tag-up rule
Players who enter the offensive zone before the puck will be allowed to return to the blue line and re-enter the zone, thus eliminating automatic offside. This rule previously was used from 1986 to 1996.

What this means to the gambler
I'm not totally sure this will have a huge impact on a gamblers decision; however it will decrease whistles and help keep the flow of the game. If a offensive rush can continue then shots on goals will increase. A slight increase in goal production may come from this rule.

6. Instigator rule
Any player who instigates a fight beyond the 55-minute mark of a game will receive minor and major penalties, a game misconduct and a one-game suspension. Suspensions will double for each additional occurrence. In addition, the player's coach will receive a $10,000 fine, which also doubles for additional incidents.

What this means to the gambler
Say goodbye to the goon fights after the game. Gambler affect? Little to none.

7. Icing
Although "touch" icing remains in practice, teams that ice the puck will not be permitted to make line changes for the ensuing face-off. Players on the ice once the puck leaves the stick of the teammate who ices the puck may not be replaced until play resumes.

What this means to the gambler
Maybe the most underestimated rule change of all! Players are going to be exhausted trying to defend their zone while a trailing teams will pull their goalie put six offensive minded players on the ice and pepper the goalie. Ever heard the players or fans at the end of the game begging for the puck to be iced while the offensive team is pressuring to tie the game? "Get it out! Get it OUT! Ice the PUCK!". Forget about it, won't help, infact it will hurt your team. Last minute ties are going to increase due to tired defensive teams and mistake by not clearing the puck deep into the neutral zone. What this means to you...............uh GOALS!

Summary
This will be the year of the goal scorer and gamblers can take advantage. Not only do I expect the over to cover early in the season but I think one goal wins will be down also. I'll be keeping my eye out for the trends and look forward to an exciting and profitable 05-06 season. Keep your head up and your stick on the ice.