2019 Western Conference Future Odds & Value Plays

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With just about 1 weeks left in the regular season things are starting to shape up the in the NHL. This week we see who has value in the West.

*Article Was Written Prior To Games Played On 3/27*



Check out last week’s article on who has value in the East.

(Note: odds may have shifted from last week please look to see odds shift as value might have changed.

Already Eliminated:

Los Angeles, Anaheim

Fringe Teams That Won’t Make the Playoffs:

Vancouver (+25000), Edmonton (+20000) & Chicago (+6600)

In The Hunt:

Minnesota (+3000) 2 Points Back Of WC2

Arizona (+3000) 2 Points Back Of WC2

CURRENT PLAYOFF Matchups

#1 Calgary (+275) vs WC2 Colorado (+2000)

#2 San Jose (+500) vs #3 Vegas (+500)

#1 Winnipeg (+500) vs WC1 Dallas (+1700)

#2 Nashville (+650) vs #3 St. Louis (+750)

Projected Playoff Matchups

#1 Calgary (+275) vs WC2 Colorado (+2000)

#2 San Jose (+500) vs #3 Vegas (+500)

#1 Winnipeg (+500) vs WC1 Dallas (+1700)

#2 Nashville (+650) vs #3 St. Louis (+750)

Missing Out: Minnesota (+3000), & Arizona (+3000)



The odds for Each Projected Team

Pacific Division

Calgary +275

With 5 games left to play the Flames have pulled away from the pack in the west, winning 6 of their last 10. At this point, San Jose and Vegas seem too far behind to catch up in the Pacific. That is exactly what the Flames needed to do is win the Division. Winning a playoff series is never easy, but playing the likes of Dallas, Colorado, Minnesota or Arizona is a lot different than playing Vegas or San Jose. As much we I do love the Flames to make a run I think it will fall short in the 2nd round when they play the Sharks or Knights. Scoring will help them, but the lack of a legitimate #1 goaltender will hurt even more come playoff time. +275 is nice odd considering how good the west is, but the lack of experience will be the Flames down fall.



San Jose +500

San Jose has failed me… I have a future ticket with them to go all the way winning the Division, Conference and Cup. When the news broke that the traded for Erik Karlsson earlier in the season as I didn’t expect the Flames to be THIS good, and the Sharks kind of have “been here, done that” including a cup run a few years ago. They have been in a little bit of a down fall only going 3-6-1 in their last 10 and lost ground on the Division. Home ice will be a huge momentum swing, as they are tied with Vegas as the 3nd best in the West with home wins (23). They will likely have home ice in the first round but the 20-15-4 record on the road worries me especially if they have to go to Canada and play the Flames and / or Winnipeg to get to the Cup. +500 doesn’t do enough for me with the West so wide open more value and honestly better teams can come out of the west…. goodbye San Jose future ticket =(

Vegas +500

I was all in on Vegas last year, and it was something we have never seen in any sport – an expansion team making the championship game / series in the inaugural first year. As I mentioned in the past and above with San Jose, home ice will be critical for Vegas to move forth and make a repeat as Western Conference Champions. They have the ability to do so as they made huge trades at the deadline to bolster up for another cup run, and the injury to Fleury can be a blessing as he has started 59 of a possible 76 games for Vegas and will get some rest and get ready for a run since Vegas is in no real threat to drop to a Wild Card spot. +500 for Vegas to repeat as Champs of the West seems about right considering everyone else in the West is just around that as well. They have what it takes to make another run and this time and seal the deal, and win its first cup in its long long 2 years of existence.

Central Division

Winnipeg +500

Winnipeg has been solid all year as the lead they Central by 2 games with 6 to play and with a game in hand with Nashville. It is very likely they will play Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. The Jets have been without their top Defensemen Dustin Byfuglien, as he has been sidelined with an ankle injury since mid-February and looks to come back this week, and will be a key part of their offence. The Jets also support the most home wins in the West (tied with 25 with the Flames) so home ice will be key as they are just a tick above .500 on the road at 20-17. Also a key part in the Jets success is Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (32-21-2, 2.89 GAA) as he is one of the most underrated goalies in the league. As I always mention, defense wins playoff hockey. For Winnipeg to be a serious contender Patrik Laine needs to step up and play like he has last season with his 70 Points(44G, 26A) in 82 games (+8), compared to his 50 Points (30G, 20 A) in 65 games (-17) At +500 they have likely the “easiest” path to the Conference Finals as they play likely will play Dallas, then a match up with the Predators or Blues to follow. I don’t think they will have what it takes to make that next step and beat anyone from the Pacific.

Nashville +650

Nashville is the new modern day Detroit Red Wings…. Now before you yell at me and tell me I am crazy just hear me out… It is so hard to make the playoffs in the NHL and now with this new Wild Card format it’s even harder (it’s a good thing as teams have something to play for late) they have won 40 or more games 11 times, dating back to the 2003 / 2004 season (making the playoffs 9 of those 11 years). They won a Presidents Trophy last year, yet lost in the second round (Look out Lightning fans). Let us not forget, the year before that they went to the Finals as a 8 Seed… See how playoff hockey is so great? “Smashville” as they like to be called and referred to during the playoffs is crazy and the Bridgestone Arena is one of the loudest I places have experienced (via TV) no matter the situation. They are led by last year’s Vezina Trophy winner (Best Goalie) Pekka Rinne and star players like P.K. Subban on the blue line, Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen upfront along with key role players like Brian Boyle and Wayne Simmonds. I love the value on the Preds at +650 as they have a complete team and have been to the finals in the past and knows what it takes to get there again.

St. Louis +750

The Blues this year were a weird team. They had an awful stretch in the beginning of the season where they looked like the Senators (hard to do) with so much talent. They started a disappointing 7-9-3 early on and fired coach Mike Yeo, with Craig Berube became the interim Head Coach. Like I mentioned last week with the Capitals, a new coach takes time and once he figures out how to coach his players – it clicks. After settling in, Blues soared up the standings winning 10 games in a row in early February going from bottom of the Central to a “Top 3” spot. Since then they have gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 games winning 4 in a row as well and can clinch the playoffs with a win and some help. Not bad for a team in last place a back in November. They also trail the Preds by 2 points for the #2 spot, the Blues have proven they can win at home or on the road (2nd in road wins) so I don’t see that being a factor as they try to battle for positioning. The Blues weakness is goaltending as Jake Allen can be shaky at times, but if Jordan Binnington can carry over his play from the regular season (21-4, 1.80 GAA, .929 SV%) into the playoffs the Blues are in for a deep playoff run. At +750 the Blues have a lot of Value as I think they can hang with the big boys of the West, but it will all come down to Binnington and if he is ready to take over for the Blues



Wild Card Teams



Dallas +1700

Currently in the WC1 spot and likely to play either the Jets or Nashville in the first round, they really don’t hold much value at only +1500 as they will likely get bounced out early. If they climb to a +2500 / +3000 number or better they would be worth it but not at the given odds

Colorado +2000

Out of the teams that are battling for the Wild Card spot I love the value on Colorado. They are taking care of business (unlike another team in the hunt: see below) winning 6 of their last 10, can play well home or away and can beat the likes of a Winnipeg (7-1 back on 2/20) or Nashville (5-0 in Nash on 2/23). They proved they can hang with some of the big teams in the East like Washington, New York and Boston (All losses in OT on the road in February). As they are likely to play the Flames in the opening round they are 0-3 on the season, but 2 of the three games have been 1 goal games. People might be sleeping on them with Captain Gabriel Landeskog out around 2-3 weeks but with just about two weeks left in the season he should be ready for the start of the playoffs. +2000 is enough value for me to take a chance on a team that can make some noise in the playoffs and is very balanced.



Minnesota +3000

I’m going to make it quick and easy for all the Wild supporters out there…. They aren’t making the playoffs. They have been a train wreck the last few weeks going 3-6-1 and falling all the way out they now need to jump the Arizona and Colorado with less games in hand. Ever since losing Koivu the team hasn’t been the same. Pass on the Wild unless your a fan and want to have some hope in Dubnyk carrying the team.

Arizona +3000

The Coyotes should have higher odds than this, as they are out of the playoffs currently and need to jump the Avs’ or Stars (both likely won’t happen) then get to match up with the Flames in the first round of the playoffs and likely be bounced right away in 4 or 5 games. I don’t see any value in Arizona as they are on the outside looking in trying to catch two hot teams. Even if they do make it…Calgary won’t make it look pretty.



The Pick: St. Louis +750

Best Value: Vegas +500, Nashville +650, Colorado +2000

Odds to Look For: San Jose +800



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