Wagering on Hockey’s Hotties

The NHL season is winding down to a few precious games and now is the time to ride the teams that are making the playoff push and playing their best hockey of the season. Don’t waste time trying to pick and choose situations, go with certain NHL teams that are already giving you what you want, victories.

The Vancouver Canucks for most of the season were constantly looking in the rearview mirror, trying to see who might be gaining on them. Since February, the Canucks have won 12 of 15 and have adjusted their sights on what is in front of them, not behind. Vancouver is fifth in the Western Conference and if they can keep up this torrid pace, they will have chance to catch Chicago, taking home ice advantage away from the Blackhawks for playoff matchup. The schedule is advantageous, only having to meet Chicago and Northwest Division leader Calgary once, while hoping to pound away on cellar dwelling Colorado four more times.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the defending Eastern Conference champions and are finally playing back to that level with 9-1 record in last 10 games. Pittsburgh’s best players are playing like it, as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal are all scoring and making solid contributions nightly. The Penguins have finally tightened up in their own end and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has gained confidence, winning 10 of last 13 at home. Pittsburgh was believed to be a suspect playoff possibility, now they are trying to hunt down division rival Philadelphia for fourth seed.

One team Pittsburgh and everyone else better keep a sharp eye on is Carolina, who is 8-2 in last ten contests. The Hurricanes have been receiving production from their second and third lines, which they haven’t with any consistency all season. Coach Paul Maurice is a coach always on the lookout for a hot netminder and he believes he has one right now in Cam Ward. If Carolina can survive upcoming three game road trip, eight of final 11 contests are at RBC Center.