Someone has clearly lit the blue touch paper in Calgary as the Flames are burning brighter than ever and look invincible at present. They have become the fourth team this season to go on a 10-game winning run and have set a franchise record in the process. That recent 10-0 record has sent them second in the Pacific, and they are now hot on the heels of San Jose in the running for the division and looking like an interesting long-shot for the Stanley Cup.
Pacific Division
The Sharks have led the way all season and Calgary have simply been battling to stay in playoff contention. But a 10-game winning streak has seen the Flames move to within three wins of San Jose, with 13 games to go before the end of the regular season. The Sharks are 7-2-1 and it is now game on. The Sharks are best priced at a meagre 1/9 with BetVictor and should be good for it, but a speculative flutter on the Flames at 9/1 looks intriguing. Goaltender Brian Elliott has impressed and if they can keep it going, the 33/1 on offer at SkyBet for them winning the Stanley Cup might be worth a go too. But San Jose is very strong and Brent Burns, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton are in fine form, so they look like the biggest threat from this division.
Central Division
The Chicago Blackhawks have hit form at the perfect time of the season and are 8-2 in their last 10, while Minnesota has slumped and is 4-6. Chicago has now won three of its four games against Minnesota this season and established itself as the leading franchise in the west. The 3/1 on offer at SkyBet, PaddyPower and BoyleSports on Chicago winning the west looks great, and the evens BetVictor has on the Blackhawks winning the Central Division looks good as they are one win ahead of Minnesota, with one game extra played but in better form.
Metropolitan Division
Just like the Minnesota Wild, the Washington Capitals looked like running away with their division, but a poor patch has coincided with the Pittsburgh Penguins going on a great run. Pittsburgh has injury problems in defence but has moved to within two wins of the Caps, with a game in hand, thanks to a superb offence. The Caps endured a four-game losing streak for the first time since November 2014, and that has opened the door for Pittsburgh, which now looks a good bet at 6/4 with PaddyPower for the division.
Atlantic Division
A three-way fight is playing out between the Canadiens, Senators and Bruins. All three are in similar form and picking a winner here looks like a nightmare; so, it is perhaps best to leave this one alone. The winner of the east is highly likely to come from the Metropolitan Division, as three teams – the Caps, Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets – head the betting before you get to the Canadiens, who are 6/1 outsiders.
Upcoming Games
The Flames have home advantage as they bid to make it 11 wins in a row against the Boston Bruins, and the 10/11 at SkyBet on them doing just that looks a great bet. The Bruins, led by Brad Marchand, are in fine form too (11-3 in their last 14) and have consolidated their playoff position, but the Flames have serious momentum right now. The Blackhawks face the Senators in another tough game on Thursday but should prevail at odds of 17/20. The St Louis Blues visit San Jose to face the Sharks on Friday and that should be a win for the Sharks at odds of around 5/7.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
