Oddsmakers unmoved by the Maple Leafs’ move for more scoring

By Jeff Haney

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Gus Ruelas / associated press

San Jose Sharks center Benn Ferriero (78) celebrates a goal with teammate Frazer McLaren (68) during a preseason game Monday.

When Toronto acquired Phil Kessel, one of the NHL’s most promising young scorers, in a big trade with Boston last week, it was a signal that Maple Leafs management is serious about making a playoff run this season.

The Leafs, who gave up a series of draft picks in the long-rumored deal, were an also-ran in the league’s Eastern Conference a year ago, finishing 12th among 15 teams, with 81 points.

Yet when the Las Vegas Hilton sports book released its betting lines on 2009-10 NHL regular-season team points this week, the numbers indicated oddsmakers aren’t so bullish on the Leafs.

In a reflection of how challenging it can be to make significant improvements in a single year in professional sports, the over/under on Toronto opened at just 85.5 points — a step up, but a total that would likely leave the Leafs out of the playoffs again.

The San Jose Sharks, who compiled the most points in the 2008-09 regular season (117), top the board at the Hilton with an over/under of 107.5 points for 2009-10, followed by the Detroit Red Wings (106.5), Chicago Blackhawks (105.5) and Washington Capitals (104.5).

The Bruins, who led the Eastern Conference with 116 points, could be due for a drop-off. They opened at over/under 101.5 points.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, the defending Stanley Cup champs, opened at 102.5 — a figure that would place them among the league’s top playoff teams. They compiled 99 points last season.

NHL teams earn two points for a win, no points for a regulation loss, and one point for a loss in overtime or in a shootout.

Hockey bettors represent a loyal but small subset of Nevada sports gamblers. The Nevada Gaming Control Board tracks NHL betting in a category called “other” — encompassing all sports besides the big three of football, basketball and baseball.

Last year bettors in the state risked $131.5 million on those “other” sports including hockey, or about 5 percent of the $2.6 billion wagered in Nevada sports books.

The NHL’s regular season begins Oct. 1.

Fight game

No. 1 heavyweight contender Chris Arreola has a tall order against WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in their title fight Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers.

Klitschko (37-2, 36 knockouts) is a minus 800 betting favorite (risk $8 to net $1) at the Las Vegas Hilton sports book, with Arreola listed at plus 600 (risk $1 to net $6). The round proposition suggests an early stoppage in the clash between two heavy hitters. It’s over/under 7 1/2 rounds at the Hilton, with a premium of minus 240 on the under and plus 200 on the over.

Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs), of Riverside, Calif., by way of East Los Angeles, is aiming to become the first heavyweight world champion of Mexican descent.

Comments from great Mexican fighters in the buildup to the fight (HBO, Cox cable channel 200) have ranged from encouraging to coldly realistic to vaguely threatening:

Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez: “I find it very difficult for Chris to win this bout. However we should not forget he is an undefeated fighter, and he has a hard punch.”

Ruben Olivares: “Arreola must show he has the (guts), just like a real Mexican fighter does.”

Gabriel Ruelas: “This is a very important fight for the Mexican people because we have never had a heavyweight champion. This would put us further on the map and he knows that, so I think that motivation is going to help him push forward. I believe he’s got a great chance.”