NHL Parlay - Sharks-Star and Islanders-Canucks

San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars

This Western Conference showdown has been very one-sided of late, especially when these two meet in Dallas. The Sharks have won four straight at American Airlines Center dating back to the 2008-09 season, and that’s not a very good stat if you’re a Stars fan.

Another stat should make Dallas backers uneasy is their 71 points has them nine points away from the eighth and final playoff spot in the West with only 14 games remaining on their schedule. That is an Everest size hill to climb considering they are chasing the Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings for that final spot. Just in case you had any last glimmer of hope the Stars could pull it off, San Jose and Dallas will meet three times before the end of March. That my friends, is three spikes into the coffin of the Stars playoff chances as there is no way Dallas takes more than one of these games.

The good news for Dallas players is, they won’t have to travel far to pull out the clubs once they’re officially eliminated. San Jose, on the other hand, holds a two-point advantage over the Chicago Blackhawks for the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Sharks will look to widen the gap tonight as the first of those three scheduled meetings takes place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Stars have lost six of seven since the Olympic break and will be without Mike Modano. Not like the aging winger could do anything to stop the inevitable, but I just thought I’d throw that in there for effect.

Take the Sharks to blow by the falling Stars at -165.

New York Islanders at Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have been running over everything in their path the last few games. They came out of the Olympic break like a house on fire, going 6-1-1 over its last eight games. They have shellacked the first two teams that came through the doors on their current five-game home stand, extending a home winning streak that goes way back to January and their NHL- record 14-game road trip.

A win tonight will give the Canucks their seventh in a row at GM Place, and the Islanders aren’t likely to put up much of a fight as they’ve been out of the playoffs for some time now. These teams don’t get to play each other much, but when they do, it has been Vancouver that comes out on top the majority of the time. Vancouver is 3-0-2 in their last five games versus the Islanders and hasn't lost at home to New York since March 19. 1999. Wow, haven’t lost at home to the Isles since the 90’s, that’s a streak.

This will be the start of a four game road trip, having not won as the guest since January 9th. They do come in riding a bit of momentum as they went 2-0-1 on a recent homestand before departing to the west coast.

Still, this is a totally different ball game. The Canucks have been literally toying with their opponents the last few contests. Take the Canucks to cover the puckline (-1 ½) to get them at +105.