Bodog Beat

After a sensational 2006-07, Jaromir Jagr looks to get the Rangers back into the postseason. (AI Wire photo)

The NHL regular season begins on this side of the pond on Wednesday night with four games and then a large slate on Thursday when the Broadway Blueshirts headline a nine-game schedule. Jaromir Jagr and the New York Rangers host the Florida Panthers at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers have high expectations after loading up in the offseason with centers Chris Drury and Scott Gomez. Jagr had clamored for more help offensively and he got it in the form of these two outstanding free agents. The Rangers hold Stanley Cup odds of 15/2 and enter this game as a one-goal favorite against the puckline.

The favored Ducks are also back in action for Wednesday's four-game schedule, which is essentially the season opener for the NHL even though Anaheim and the Los Angeles Kings played back-to-back in London over the weekend.

The key matchup Wednesday is a rematch of last season's Western Conference final as the Ducks visit Dominik Hasek and the Detroit Red Wings. Also on tap is the Battle of Ontario revisited as the Eastern Conference champion Ottawa Senators take on their arch-rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. One important injury note in that one: Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery will not start because he is not fully recovered from offseason wrist surgery. Martin Gerber gets the start instead. Also in action are the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, and the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.

Get to the Bodog Sportsbook for NHL odds throughout the season.