There is less than a month left in the NHL regular season and Washington is in firm control of the Eastern Conference with 103 points and a 16 point lead over New Jersey and Pittsburgh. In the West, San Jose still holds the top spot with 96 points but Chicago is only three points back.
The Capitals have clinched their division and lead the Southeast by 34 points over Tampa Bay. In the Northeast, Buffalo leads with 82 points and has a three point lead over Ottawa with hard charging Montreal only four points back after winning six straight games. Pittsburgh and New Jersey are currently tied for first with 87 points with Philadelphia 10 points back in the Atlantic division.
The Sharks lead over Phoenix in the Pacific division is down to five points after the Coyotes’ six game winning streak. Chicago has opened up an 11 point lead over Nashville in the Central division. In the Northwest division, Vancouver has 89 points and a three point lead over Colorado and a 10 point lead over Calgary.
The following are my top four teams in the league along with their opening and current odds to win it all.
Washington Capitals Odds to win the Stanley Cup: Open 10/1 Current 9/2
In a rare home ice loss, the Capitals were beaten by the Lighting 3-2 last Friday night. In a possible Stanley Cup Finals preview, Nicklas Backstrom scored the game winner in overtime to top the Blackhawks 4-3. With a four goal barrage in the second period they beat the Panthers 7-3. Through 70 games, Alex Ovechkin is the leading goal scorer with 44 and Backstrom leads in assists with 56. G JoseTheodore has a 2.80 GAA (goals against average).
San Jose Sharks Odds to win the Stanley Cup: Open 10/1 Current 4/1
The Sharks exploded for six goals in the third period in an 8-5 win over the Predators last Thursday. Against the Panthers, they blew a two goal lead, losing in OT 3-2. In a 4-2 loss to the Ducks, they gave up three goals in the first. They dropped their third straight, giving up four goals in the third period on their way to an 8-2 loss to the Stars. Through 69 games, Patrick Marleau is the leading goal scorer with 41 and Joe Thornton leads the way with 63 assists. G Evgeni Nabokov has a 2.27 GAA.
Chicago Blackhawks Odds to win the Stanley Cup: Open 12/1 Current 5/1
Last Saturday, after two scoreless periods the Flyers outscored the Blackhawks 3-2 in the third period. After battling the Capitals to a 3-3 tie, they lost in overtime 4-3.Their losing streak went to three with a 4-2 loss to the Ducks. Through 69 games, Patrick Kane leads the team in goals with 26 and in assists with 48. Duncan Keith has 46 assists and G Chistobal Huet’s GAA is 2.38.
Pittsburgh Penguins Odds to win the Stanley Cup: Open 7/1 Current 5/1
After a scoreless third period, the Pens lost to the Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime last Thursday. The next night they gave up two goals in the third period in a 3-1 loss the Devils. Sergei Gonchar scored the game winning goal five minutes into the third period in a 2-1 win over the Lightning. In a 5-2 loss to the Devils, Pittsburgh has now lost all six games this season to New Jersey. Through 70 games, Sidney Crosby leads the team in goals with 45. Evgeni Malkin leads in assists with 46 and G Mark-Andre Fluery has a 2.70 GAA.
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