Just like the top performers in March Madness betting or Daytona 500 betting always find a way to win, the Detroit Red Wings have that same uncanny ability. In theory, the struggles of Chris Osgood, their trusty starter from last year’s Stanley Cup winning squad, should’ve pushed the Wings down the standings. Instead, they turned to the plucky Ty Conklin and are right back on track, having won four straight games on the strength of Conklin’s six shutouts in 27 starts. Not too shabby.

A few weeks ago, NHL betting fans probably figured Detroit would be looking for a goalie at the NHL trade deadline. Now, I’m not so sure. Conklin showed last year in extended duty with the Pens that he can handle a starting job. He was also thrust into that role in the 2006 Stanley Cup final when the Oilers lost Dwyane Roloson to injury. So maybe Detroit will ride the Alaskan after all. Whatever happens, bet against Detroit in the offshore sportsbook at your own risk…

So, I was wrong when I made my NHL betting pick last week and told you to pick Detroit. What can I say? I was hypnotized by Emma Andersson. In what many are calling the “game of the year,” the Sharks beat the Wings 6-5 in a thriller. How big of a hockey betting matchup was it? The two combatants had the highest combined win percentage for a regular season game in NHL history.

Heading into Saturday’s contest, those who bet on hockey were on the verge of anointing Detroit as the hockey betting “team to beat.”

What now? The Wings trounced the Sharks 6-0 in December, then the Sharks bounced back and triumphed Saturday. Maybe we have to call them online sports betting Pick 1 and Pick 1A as the top sportsbook choices. Mind you, San Jose just called up almost-fossilized Claude Lemieux. Could he help the Sharks in the clutch the way he used to help Montreal, New Jersey and Colorado? We’ll see.

Here’s the goal that really Put Claude on the map — a series winner with the Habs in 1986. After that came plenty of goals, turtling and cheapshots..