The Calgary Flames will be looking to pad their lead atop the Western Conference standings when the host the last-place Ottawa Senators on Thursday as heavy -400 favourites on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Calgary extended its lead over second-place San Jose to three points with a 4-2 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, and has claimed victory in four of five contests ahead of Thursday night’s Senators vs. Flames betting matchup at Scotiabank Saddledome.
The Flames became the first Western Conference club to clinch a playoff berth during their current tear, and have posted wins in four straight home dates while outgunning opponents by a wide 24-10 margin.
In addition, Calgary enjoys a favourable schedule over its final nine regular-season contests, including dates with seven opponents outside the playoff picture. But despite being well positioned to finish atop the conference, the Flames continue to trail the Sharks as a +800 wager on the Stanley Cup odds.
Ottawa continues a swing through Western Canada as +300 underdogs. The Senators have struggled in recent meetings with the Flames, scoring just four total goals in four losses over five meetings. However, they outclassed the Flames in their last visit to Calgary, posting a 6-0 win as +131 underdogs back in October 2017.
Elsewhere on the Thursday NHL odds, the Montreal Canadiens remain in desperation mode as they play host to the New York Islanders as slim -130 favourites at sports-betting sites.
The Canadiens will be looking for a little help from Edmonton in their bid to climb back into the Eastern Conference race, as the Oilers take on the Blue Jackets as +115 underdogs, while the Winnipeg Jets wrap up a three-game road swing through the Pacific Division with a visit to Vegas as +145 underdogs.
The Canadiens put the brakes on a two-game slide with a 3-1 win in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, but remain outside the playoff picture, one point back of the Blue Jackets with nine games remaining.
Montreal has struggled badly in recent weeks after emerging as one of the surprise stories of the season, posting wins in just seven of 18 contests, including a middling 3-2-1 record on home ice. However, the Canadiens face a struggling Islanders squad that has scored just 10 total goals during a 3-3-0 run.
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