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The Vancouver Canucks (2-1-0) take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-1) Thursday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Canucks vs. Lightning odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Canucks tasted defeat for the 1st time Tuesday in a 2-0 shutout by the Philadelphia Flyers. G Thatcher Demko did all he could in stopping 40 of 42 shots. Vancouver shocked bet slips with 2 victories against the Edmonton Oilers to open the season.
The Lightning are struggling. Not only are they without G Andrei Vasilevskiy for the first 2 months due to back surgery, but they’re also without C Steven Stamkos. Stammer is a key cog to their power play as he has one of the most lethal 1-timers in the game. His loss was felt in the 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday as the PP went 0-for-4, and they mustered just 23 shots on goal the whole game.
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Canucks at Lightning odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Canucks +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Lightning -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-210) | Lightning -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: +110 | U: -135)
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Canucks at Lightning projected goalies
Thatcher Demko (1-1-0, 1.70 GAA, .953 SV%) vs. Jonas Johansson (1-1-1, 3.71 GAA, .893 SV%)
Demko has been great in his first 2 outings, stopping 21 of 22 and 40 of 42 shots against Edmonton and Philadelphia. He didn’t face Tampa last year but went 0-2-0 with a 2.56 GAA and .902 SV% against it 2 years ago.
The 28-year-old Swede had just 27 starts in his career entering this season, and he’s the primary fill-in for Vassy. He has allowed at least 3 goals in his 3 starts, saving 28 of 31 in his last outing. He has not faced the Canucks in his career.
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Canucks at Lightning picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Canucks 3
Moneyline
Tampa really struggled to find its identity against Buffalo, but LW Brandon Hagel scored his 2nd goal of the game to tie it up with just 7 seconds remaining. RW Nikita Kucherov had just 2 shots on goal and was not much of a factor. He’ll have to amp it up in this one. Stamkos returned to practice Thursday, and he has a chance to play.
I like the LIGHTNING (-135) as their collection of talent should ring supreme.
Puck line/Against the spread
I don’t like either side of the puck line here. Tampa has not been nearly consistent enough on offense to have any confidence in a multiple-goal W.
PASS.
Over/Under
The Canucks are 1-1-1 O/U thus far, and the Lightning are 2-1-1. The Over is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings between the teams. So there is some Over traction here, but we need a whopping 8 goals to cash it. And while that absolutely could happen, it’s not a good bet to make. I’m going to stay away as I’m expecting a push here.
I do like BRAYDEN POINT OVER 2.5 SHOTS (-145). He had 4 shots in the last game.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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