With just a handful of games remaining in regular season play, things are heating up in the NHL.

For the Vancouver Canucks, their remaining two games mean everything. Sportsbook cappers know the Canucks are in a precarious position, having to balance giving players much needed rest before the playoff hoopla begins next week, with fulfilling the team's competitive needs.

Henrik Sedin, is quietly trying to become the first player in franchise history to capture the Art Ross Trophy. Sedin is currently in a do-or-die race with Alex Ovechkin for the title of NHL points king - he currently leads by just one point.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks are closing in on clinching the top spot in the NHL's Western Conference. Joe Thornton scored his first goal since his return from injury in the Sharks' winning effort, and the win means San Jose leads Chicago by two points heading into last weekend of regular season play. The Blackhawks, however, have the potential tiebreaker edge.

In Los Angeles, Phoenix overcame a rough start to beat the Kings in a come-from-behind effort that ended in a shootout. While Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson scored to give the Kings the early lead, Matthew Lombardi and Taylor Pyatt scored less than two minutes apart in the third period to keep the Coyotes in the game. Adrian Aucoin scored the winner in the fourth round of the shootout, giving the Coyotes a much needed win.

Finally, Boston surprised some fans of NHL betting by solidifying their Eastern Conference playoff spot with a win over the Sabers. In doing so, the Bruins moved out of eighth place, passing Philadelphia to tie for the sixth spot with the Montreal Canadians.