Canada’s horrible fate in the WBC odds probably has you pretty bummed if you’re Canadian. So why not turn your attention to the Centennial Montreal Canadiens? Yay! Oh yeah, I forgot — this season has been a trainwreck for them. The NHL betting headlines just never stop with the Habs, do they?

The latest news to blitz Montreal’s online betting fans: GM Bob Gainey fired Guy Carbonneau yesterday and will take over behind the bench as the Habs try to stay alive in the Stanley Cup betting playoff hunt. Interesting considering the two were always compared to each other during their highly successful careers as checking centers.

Should NHL betting fans take notice? Abso-freakin’-lutely. Anyone who likes to bet on NHL probably knows that coaching changes almost always pay immediate dividends, even if the results are temporary (read: Clouston, Cory). Look at what Dan Bylsma is doing in Pittsburgh! It doesn’t always matter whether the guy is a genius or a stooge; the NHL betting scene gets a shakeup because players seem to view new coaches as breaths of fresh air.

Don’t be surprised if the Habs make a nice little late-season push, especially since Carbonneau reportedly had trouble communicating with his players. Gainey should’n't have that problem. In fact, now could be a solid time to place an NHL futures bet on Montreal, while their value is still strong. They still have the talent to bounce back. Remember that at the sportsbook.