Western Conference Betting Odds

Only three points separates first from sixth place in the Western Conference at the All-Star break. With so many contenders for the West title the oddsmakers have created quite a logjam on the Western Conference futures at 5Dimes.

There's no logjam at the top of the future though, where 5Dimes has listed Vancouver at the Western Conference favorite at +250. The defending West champs head into the All-Star break second in the West and well out ahead in the Northwest division. Vancouver has practically the same team they took to the Stanley Cup final last year which could bode well for them repeating as West champs again, but they may need to add another piece at the deadline to take the next step and win it all.

After the Canucks there's a three-team pileup on the West futures wit Detroit, San Jose and Chicago all at +450. The Red Wings currently lead the league with 67 points and they're practically unbeatable at home this season with a 20-2-1 record at Joe Louis Arena. If they can clinch home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs the rest of the West could be in trouble.

The Sharks are third in the West right now, but with only 60 points if they weren't leading the Pacific division they would be seventh in the conference. However, they have played the fewest amount if games of any team in the West. With their big guns, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau getting up there in years the Sharks time at the top may be waning so it could be now or never for this Sharks squad.

The Blackhawks have dealt with a lot of injuries (Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews) and a down year from Patrick Kane, but they're still a legitimate contender in the West. If Chicago can get healthy and Kane can break out of his slump the Blackhawks could be in for a strong second half.

One team in the West to really keep an eye on in the second half are the St. Louis Blues. They're at +800 on the futures and could be a very profitable pick. Since Ken Hitchcock took over behind the bench in early November the Blues are 23-6-7 are enter the break third in the NHL with 65 points. If the Blues can keep it up and ride this wave into the playoffs they could be a tough opponent for anyone in the postseason.

5Dimes Western Conference futures

• Vancouver +250
• Detroit +450
• San Jose +450
• Chicago +450
• St. Louis +800
• Los Angeles +1000
• Nashville +1425
• Minnesota +2400
• Dallas +2400
• Phoenix +3500
• Colorado +3500
• Calgary +4000
• Edmonton +8000
• Anaheim +10000
• Columbus +30000