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The Vancouver Canucks (16-9-6) visit the Vegas Golden Knights (20-8-3) Thursday with puck drop from T-Mobile Arena set for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Canucks vs. Golden Knights odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; split 2-2 last season
The Canucks fell 3-2 in OT as +103 underdogs at the Utah Hockey Club Wednesday as the Under (6) hit. LW Danton Heinen had a strong game, scoring a goal while adding 2 blocks and 2 hits. G Thatcher Demko took the loss, moving to 1-1-2 since his return from a knee injury Dec. 10.
The Golden Knights secured their fifth win in their last 6 games Sunday, defeating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 as -103 road favorites while the Under (5.5) cashed. RW Victor Olofsson scored twice in the victory while G Ilya Samsonov picked up the win, staying perfect in December with a 2-0 record.
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Canucks at Golden Knights odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Canucks +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Golden Knights -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-175) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Canucks at Golden Knights projected goalies
Kevin Lankinen (14-4-3, 2.52 GAA, .912 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Adin Hill (13-5-2, 2.78 GAA, .899 SV%, 2 SO)
Lankinen earned a shutout in his last start Dec. 12 against the Florida Panthers. This month, he’s 3-1 with a 2.35 GAA and .921 SV%. His most recent start against the Golden Knights came on Feb. 20 when he made 23 saves on 26 shots in a victory while with the Nashville Predators.
Hill had an impressive December before his Saturday loss to Edmonton, going 3-0 with a shutout and just 4 goals allowed in 3 games. His last outing against the Canucks was March 7, when he allowed 3 goals on 35 shots and took the loss.
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Canucks at Golden Knights picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 4, Canucks 2
Moneyline
PASS.
The Golden Knights (-165) know how to handle their business at T-Mobile Arena and will get a relatively easy win Thursday. However, I’d rather take the plus odds on the puck line than pay the juice on the ML.
Puck line/Against the spread
BET GOLDEN KNIGHTS -1.5 (+145).
Vegas holds a big advantage in this matchup, resting since Sunday, while Vancouver played an OT game Wednesday night and now travels. The Golden Knights excel at home, winning 7 of their last 8 against Pacific Division rivals and covering the puck line in 5 straight. RW Mark Stone has scored in 4 consecutive home games against Pacific teams, and Vegas leads the league in discipline with the fewest penalty minutes (169).
Vancouver has dropped 4 of its last 5 against Western Conference opponents and is playing inconsistently, going 5-2-3 in its last 10. With Vegas surging and rested, the Canucks face an uphill battle.
Over/Under
In the last 10 meetings, the total is 5-4-1. Vancouver’s last 10 games are split 5-5 on the total, while Vegas’ last 6 home games are 3-3. With no clear edge, I’ll AVOID the total and stick with the puck line instead.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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