HOT

Calgary Flames
The Flames are finally starting to heat up, and not even the all-star break could cool them off. Calgary is 7-1-2 in its last 10 games, giving $100 bettors a total profit of $607 in just over two weeks. The profitable streak was highlighted by a 4-3 shootout win at Vancouver on Jan. 22 when the Flames were +220. Even after the three-day layoff due to the All-Star Game, the Flames opened the second half of the season with another win as a road underdog, winning 3-2 in a shootout at Nashville as +120 underdogs. The shootout win at Nashville was Calgary’s seventh game in its past 11 to be decided by one goal. Steer clear of Calgary at -1.5, but take advantage of them as underdog on the puckline when you can at +1.5.

Pittsburgh Penguins
No Sid, no Geno, no problem. The Penguins have continued to thrive even without their top two goal scorers in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. And for bettors this has meant an even bigger windfall thanks to more attractive money lines on the usually favored Penguins, who are 6-1 over their last seven games, including three games where the Penguins were underdogs -- a rare occasion for one of the best teams in the league. For $100 bettors, Pittsburgh has returned a profit of $512 over this recent seven-game stretch. With Crosby and Malkin out of the lineup the moneylines remain attractive for the Penguins, but avoid the puckline as their last three wins have come by just one goal. Take advantage of these decent Pittsburgh Penguins NHL odds while you still can as Crosby’s timetable for a return appears to be within the new few weeks.

New Jersey Devils
The Devils are about as hot as a last place team can be. Owners of the worst record in the NHL (17-30-3), the Devils have found a way to start stringing together wins. They are 7-1-1 in their last nine, yet remain in last place. That gives you an idea of what kind of hole New Jersey dug itself into. The combination of their horrendous record and hot streak means New Jersey has returned a whopping $715 for $100 bettors over the last nine games.

COLD

Washington Capitals
That cold front that pummeled the East Coast also apparently had an effect on the Verizon Center, where the Washington Capitals cannot seem to win. They have won only three of their last 10 games, including losing three of their last four at home. The Capitals were expected to have all but clinched the division by now and instead they are trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning by five points. In the last seven games the Capitals have used three different goalies and none have been getting results. What makes it even worse for Washington backers is that the oddsmakers have stuck with the Capitals, making them favorites in the last five games. That means disastrous returns for bettors. The Capitals have cost $100 bettors $586 over the last 10 games, including $462 in the Capitals last three contests.

Ottawa Senators
If you have been using your Christmas bonus to wager on the Ottawa Senators, then it is probably gone by now. The Senators can claim only one win since Christmas. That is an absolutely remarkable run of misfortune. Their only win in the year 2011 has been a 6-4 decision against the New York Islanders, one of the few teams with a worse record than the Senators. Despite being a massive underdog in just about every game, Ottawa has lost $100 bettors $721 over the last seven games and $1281 since Christmas.