Calgary Flames Return from All-Star Break with 2nd Best Stanley Cup Odds

• The Flames opened the season amid low expectations after a late-season collapse in 2017-18
• A spectacular start to 2019 has lifted Calgary to the top of the Western Conference standings
• Unproven goaltending and battle-ready competition are barriers to the Flames’ first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals since 2004

The Calgary Flames had a lot to prove going into the 2018-19 NHL season. After falling out of the playoff picture with just four wins in their final 19 outings last year, the Flames opened the current campaign with +3000 odds to win the the 2019 Stanley Cup across a number of top sportsbooks.

The Flames have answered the bell during the unofficial first half of the season, climbing to the top of the Western Conference standings during an 11-1-2 run, and now trail only the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning as a +500 bet in the NHL futures market.

2019 Stanley Cup Odds

Personnel Changes, Return to Health Key to Flames’ Success

Changes in personnel and a return to health have produced positive results for the Flames this season. A blockbuster offseason deal that sent forward Micheal Ferland and defenceman Dougie Hamilton to Carolina in exchange for Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin has paid huge dividends.

Flames’ Lindholm has become complete player since trade from Hurricanes – https://t.co/EUKCRRuq9D https://t.co/BaVeyE68SF

— For_SoulMuzik (@ForSoulMuzik) January 24, 2019

Lindholm has enjoyed a breakthrough during his first season in Calgary, setting career bests with 21 goals and 37 assists, while Hanifin has thrived in a steady role on both the power play and penalty kill, and is also on pace to set career best numbers offensively.

Lindholm has enjoyed a breakthrough during his first season in Calgary, setting career bests with 21 goals and 37 assists.

Even more important has been the Flames’ ability to stay healthy. A number of Calgary regulars missed significant time last season, including defencemen TJ Brodie and Travis Hamonic, as well as forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Monahan. But it was an injury to goaltender Mike Smith that proved to be the Flames’ undoing last season, with the club’s tumble out of playoff contention closely coincided with a groin injury to their veteran starter.

The Flames have managed to avoid major injury to their core of budding stars, including Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, who have maintained scoring paces in excess of a point per game.

Is the Flames’ Goaltending Good Enough?

Second-year netminder David Rittich has emerged as one of the surprises of the NHL season while backstopping the Flames to 19 wins in 30 appearances. However, Smith’s fading skills and Rittich’s lack of experience as an NHL starter, particularly over a lengthy playoff run, remain a massive concern in Calgary.

Mike Smith lights fire under his team after latest loss.https://t.co/xxJZXgoAEU

— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) March 12, 2018

The Flames must also contend with stiff competition in the Western Conference if they are to make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 2004. Calgary’s road to the Final will likely go through San Jose, which have overcome a shaky start and closely trail the Flames as a +750 wager on the Stanley Cup odds.

Sharks have had Calgary’s Number

San Jose has also enjoyed regular success in recent dates with the Flames, claiming wins in six of seven, a run that will force the Flames to change the narrative should the two clubs meet in a Pacific Division playoff matchup later this spring.

The Sharks have enjoyed regular success in recent dates with the Flames, claiming wins in six of seven

While the Flames sport the talent needed for a deep playoff run, the most value on the Stanley Cup odds is likely found in Nashville, where the Predators lag behind the favorites as a +1400 bet.

Predators Offering the Most Value on Stanley Cup Odds

The Predators led the NHL with 117 points last season before suffering a stunning second-round loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Nashville has managed to keep pace with the Jets in the Central Division this season despite losing PK Subban, Filip Forsberg, and Viktor Arvidsson to injury for lengthy stretches.

ICYMI: At the midway point of an injury-plagued season, the Predators are content to ride out the storm. With insight from David Poile. https://t.co/F4uVZ3rbJC

— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) January 3, 2019

But with the club’s fantastic four back to full health, the Predators could be poised to duplicate the 14-0-1 run that handed them the President’s Trophy last season and return them to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in three years.