The NHL trade deadline is on the horizon, but teams aren’t waiting until February 28^th, and Toronto has been at the heart of it, wheeling and dealing with two Eastern contenders.

First, the Maple Leafs dealt with Philadelphia on Valentine’s Day, moving Kris Versteeg to Philadelphia for first and third-round picks. This gives the Flyers a goal-scoring winger who they are very familiar with; Versteeg was a member of the Chicago team that beat them in last season’s Stanley Cup finals, so he also brings some title-winning experience that the Flyers will hope puts them over the top, although we expect the Flyers to deal some more before the deadline.

Then on Friday, the Maple Leafs finally traded defenseman Tomas Kaberle in a move that has been for years in the making, sending him to Boston for promising prospect Joe Colborne, Boston’s first-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional second-round pick as well. Kaberle was a free agent at the end of the season anyway, but it remains to be seen if Toronto general manager Brian Burke plans on keeping these picks, or if he will flip them for a playmaking center, Toronto’s most pressing need.

All told, it’s going to be an exciting time heading up to the deadline. The gap between the top and bottom of the playoff races in both conferences seems to be closer than ever before, so expect teams to work the phones in order to improve their sports betting odds.

The 2011 NHL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, which means players will be on the move. Canadian teams have been active, and they’ll all be in action for the annual “Hockey Day In Canada” trio of matchups on Saturday.

Senators Oilers Betting – Saturday, 2:00 PM ET

Ottawa, who just traded Mike Fisher to Nashville, may go into this game as the road favorite as they’re 4-1 SU in their last five trips to Edmonton, and they need to make something happen in this battle of last-place teams as the Senators have lost 11 straight games. Four of those meetings have gone under the posted total.

Maple Leafs Canadiens Betting – Saturday, 7:00 PM ET

In what is arguably hockey’s most heated rivalry, the Canadiens will be the home favorites against the Maple Leafs, who traded Francois Beauchemin to Anaheim for Joffrey Lupul . The Maple Leafs are 3-2 SU in their last five visits to the Bell Center, with two of the last three coming in under the posted total. It’s always a big occasion when these Original Six rivals face each other.

Flames Canucks Betting – Saturday, 10:00 PM ET

In the nightcap, the league’s best team, Vancouver, will definitely be the home favorites against the Flames, who are 2-3 SU in their last five trips to British Columbia. The Flames have been playing extremely well to storm into the playoff picture, and they won in Vancouver just back in January, but another win would be an upset for those betting online.

While Super Bowl betting odds are the focus of this week’s attention, the NHL will be back in action on Tuesday. But on Wednesday, there is a trio of matchups coming out of the Western Conference, and here is a look at a few trends to check out before heading to your sportsbook.

Kings Oilers Betting – Wednesday, 9:30 PM ET

The Kings should be favored on the road against the Oilers in this matchup of young teams, as Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in their last five trips to Edmonton. The last four meetings have gone under the posted total, and the Kings are 2-3 SU in the second half of back-to-back games. This is relevant as the Kings play Tuesday night in Minnesota.

Canucks Coyotes Betting – Wednesday, 9:30 PM ET

The Canucks also play on Tuesday night in Dallas, and they’re 2-3 SU in the second half of back-to-back games. The Coyotes are 4-1 SU in their last five against the Canucks at home, with three of those games going over the posted total. Phoenix also plays on Tuesday night, and they’re 6-6 SU in the second half of back-to-backs.

Sharks Ducks Betting – Wednesday, 10:00 PM ET

The Ducks should be favored at home as they have the night off on Tuesday, while the Sharks will be in Phoenix, and San Jose is 3-4 SU in the second half of back-to-back games. The Ducks are 3-2 SU in their last five at home against the Sharks, with three of those games going under the total, so the under is worth a bet in your sportsbook.