Sharks Again Favored to Win Pacific Division with Less than a Month Remaining

• The Calgary Flames (41-20-7) have a one point lead in the Pacific Division
• The San Jose Sharks (40-19-8) have won three straight games
• The Vegas Golden Knights (37-26-5) have won five straight games but are too far back in the division to be a legitimate threat

Oh, how times have changed for the Calgary Flames.

One month ago they were -210 to win the Pacific Division and the San Jose Sharks were +170. Now the odds available have completely flip flopped.

2019 NHL Pacific Division Odds

Odds taken 03/08/19.

The Flames still have a one-point lead in the division, but the Sharks have one game in hand. It seems like a closer race than it is in reality and there is major value in this futures bet. Here’s the case for why the Sharks are absolutely the correct pick to win the Pacific Division:

Making a Hab-it of winning.

Recap: https://t.co/0tAJn4PkVs pic.twitter.com/9AhjqWjON8

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 8, 2019

Home Heavy Schedule Favors Sharks

The Sharks have 15 games remaining and nine of them will be played on home ice. In 32 games at the SAP Center this season, San Jose has lost in regulation only five times. It’s the most impressive home record in the league and one they’ll be able to take advantage of late in the season.

The #SJSharks have not lost at home to the Canadiens since 1999 (which was in OT). pic.twitter.com/DdAU8JeQTj

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 8, 2019

Against the Canadiens they extended a home win streak that dates back to the previous century. There’s something about the crowd and skating through the sharks head (the best intro in all of hockey) that leads to wins for San Jose on home ice.

The Sharks Have No Obvious Flaw

San Jose has a roster with a blend of veterans and young stars, they’re great on both offense and defense, and have top shelf goaltender Martin Jones between the pipes. They don’t have an identifiable flaw for other coaches to prey on. Their biggest, and really only, threat to win the division are the Calgary Flames, and they are struggling through some terrible play from goalies Mike Smith and David Rittich.

https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/1103888264501452800

The Flames have lost four straight games due the issues between the pipes as well as other areas on the ice, while the Sharks have won three straight. This is a case of two teams headed in opposite directions, which isn’t a surprise when you consider San Jose added pieces at the deadline while Calgary stood pat.

The Price is Right

The numbers and recent play suggest San Jose should be significant favorites, but odds are nearly identical for both teams. Take advantage before the numbers sway even more heavily in the Sharks’ favor and pick them to win the Pacific Division.

Pick: San Jose Sharks (-130)