Tag: vancouver-canucks

New York Islanders at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s New York Islanders at Vancouver Canucks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The New York Islanders (35-23-9) continue their road trip, visiting the Vancouver Canucks (35-27-6) at Rogers Arena Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Canucks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Islanders at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov vs. Thatcher Demko

Varlamov checks in with a 19-14-5 record, 2.59 goals against average and .915 save percentage. But the real story is his play on the road, where he has been much better. He’s just 8-8-1 in 20 appearances, including 17 starts, away from home, but he has an impressive 2.28 GAA and .925 SV%.

Demko has been tasked with holding down the fort since Jacob Markstrom (knee) went down, with Louis Domingue brought in to be the understudy. Demko is 12-10-2 with a 3.03 GAA and .904 SV%, including 8-3-1 in 13 appearances on home ice, while Domingue lost his only start since joining the Canucks, allowing four goals on 34 shots.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Islanders at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 2:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 5, Canucks 3

Moneyline (ML)

The ISLANDERS (+105) are short dogs on the road, but a real value here. They have dropped six in a row, but that’s not going to go on forever. They’re due, and they enter with a couple days of rest – they’re 7-2 in the past nine on two days of rest. They have also topped the Canucks (-129) in six of the past eight meetings overall.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Islanders to grab the road win returns a profit of $10.50 if they prevail, while a $10 wager on the Canucks nets a profit of $7.75.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

I’m backing the Islanders (+1.5, -250) on the moneyline to win straight up, so I am not interested in this insurance, especially if I have to risk two and a half times my investment. The Canucks (-1.5, +200) are tempting play if you think the Isles will continue their skid.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-106) is 6-1-1 in the past eight meetings in this series. While the Under is 6-0 in New York’s past six against the Western Conference, there is something about Tuesday that brings out the offense. The Over is 10-0-1 in New York’s past 11 played on a Tuesday.

For Vancouver, the Over has connected in eight of the past 10, and 5-1 in the past six at home. The Over is also 5-2 in its past seven against winning teams.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Colorado Avalanche (40-18-8) visit the Vancouver Canucks (34-26-6) in a Friday night (10 p.m. ET) tilt at Rogers Arena. We analyze the Avalanche-Canucks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Avalanche at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. Thatcher Demko

Francouz has registered a 2.29 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 30 games. He’s the de facto No. 1 netminder or the Avs right now: Philipp Grubauer has been on the shelf with a groin injury since mid-February. And Francouz is wearing it well. The 29-year-old Czech has logged a 6-0-1 record with a nifty .945 SV since Grubauer has been out.

Demko owns a 3.08 GAA and .904 SV over 24 games played. He’s coming off a shaky February (.882 SV in six outings) but is the likely starter with GT Jacob Markstrom out with a knee injury. Demko was lit up by Colorado on Nov. 16, allowing five goals on just 23 shots (.783 SV).

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Avalanche at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, Vancouver 1

Moneyline (ML)

Vancouver has lost four straight and has coughed up 4.5 goals per game in the process. Colorado lost an overtime contest to Anaheim on Wednesday (March 4 was the last game date for both of these teams). That loss snapped a seven-game win streak for the Avs. Colorado is 5-2 over the first game of their last seven multi-game road trips.

The lean is on the Avalanche, but the COLORADO (-139) price is a bit high.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Avs’ recent win streak involved six one-goal games and one win by three. That flies against earlier-season trends, though. For the season Colorado is fourth in goals (3.41 per game) and fifth in goal prevention (2.67). All four games in the Canucks losing streak have been losses by two-plus. Francouz has sometimes faltered on longer rest – his last start fits that trend. But on one-day rest, the Avalanche netminder has logged a .957 SV in six such starts.

COLORADO -1.5 (+195) has excellent value and is the top play of the three listed here.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is: 7-1 over the Avs’ last eight games … 8-0 in the Avs’ last eight road games.

The Under as a play in this one runs slightly counter to taking Colorado on the puck line. We’re on the side of Colorado by two but also on the side of the total under five. But the payoff makes doubling up a solid play. WILL TAKE THE UNDER 5.5 (+110).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Arizona Coyotes at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Arizona Coyotes at Vancouver Canucks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Arizona Coyotes (32-27-8) and the Vancouver Canucks (34-25-6) do battle at Rogers Arena in British Columbia Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET (on ESPN+). We analyze the Coyotes-Canucks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

The Canucks have some injury concerns. Starting G Jacob Markstrom (knee) hasn’t played since Feb. 22. D Quinn Hughes (undisclosed), D Tyler Myers (undisclosed) and C Jay Beagle (lower body) missed Tuesday’s practice and are all questionable. D Guillaume Brisebois and D Jalen Chatfield were summoned from the minors just in case.

Coyotes at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Antti Raanta vs. Thatcher Demko

Raanta is expected to get the nod on the road against Vancouver, although he hasn’t been nearly as effective away from home than in the desert. At home he is a sparkling 10-5-1 with a 2.11 goals against average, .933 save percentage and two shutouts. On the road he is a dismal 5-9-2 with a 3.19 GAA and .909 SV% in 16 starts.

Markstrom (knee) is projected by some as the starting netminder for Wednesday, but we’ll believe it when we see it. The Canucks traded for veteran Louis Domingue to back up Demko, and it’s doubtful they’ll rush Markstrom back, but you never know. Demko was 1-3-1 with a 3.52 GAA and an .882 SV% in six games (five starts) in February.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Coyotes at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Coyotes 3, Canucks 2

Moneyline (ML)

ARIZONA (+100) is an underdog on the road, and rightly so. But the Coyotes might be catching the Canucks (-121) at a good time since Vancouver is banged up and might be relying on some unproven commodities for this Hump Day affair. The goaltender situation is also a bit muddled, so Arizona could take advantage.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Coyotes to grab the road win returns a profit of $10, while a $10 wager on the Canucks results in a profit of $8.26.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Coyotes puck line (+1.5, -278) is quite a bit more than their moneyline, which is a much better value. It’s just too high a price at -278. Arizona has struggled away from home, going 1-10 in the past 11 road games. The Canucks (-1.5, +225) are 1-4 in the past five as a favorite.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-110) is a good bet, going 33-15-4 in the past 52 meetings, and 6-2-2 in the past 10 meetings in B.C. While the Over is 5-1 in the Canucks’ past six at home, they’re short-handed. Goals could be at a premium. The Coyotes are 4-0-1 on the Under across their past five on the road, and 7-2-1 in the past 10 overall.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets sports betting odds, picks and best bets

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The Vancouver Canucks (34-24-6) are back in action against the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-21-14) Sunday at Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. ET (on ESPN+). We analyze the Canucks-Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Canucks at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies

Louis Domingue vs. Joonas Korpisalo

The Canucks traded for Domingue last week at the deadline due to a knee injury to Jacob Markstrom, as someone with an NHL pedigree was needed to back up Thatcher Demko. Domingue is expected to get his first chance in a Canucks sweater in the second end of a back-to-back. He is 3-8-2 on the season with a .882 save percentage and 3.79 goals against average.

Korpisalo has posted an 18-11-4 record, 2.56 goals-against average and .911 save percentage and two shutouts, but he has been slow to acclimate since returning from injury. He’ll get a chance to face a Canucks team limping in after a 4-2 loss at Toronto last night.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Canucks at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Canucks 3, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline (ML)

The CANUCKS (+115) is worth a look in the second end of their back-to-back situation, as they face a banged-up Blue Jackets (-139) team missing All-Star Seth Jones (ankle) and leading scorer Oliver Bjorkstrand (lower body). The road team is 9-1 in the past 10 meetings in this series, with the Canucks 19-7 in the past 26 meetings, including 5-0 in their past five in Columbus.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Canucks +115 returns a profit of $11.50 if they win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Canucks (+1.5, -239) aren’t worth a look at this price. Just take them on the moneyline if you like Vancouver. The Blue Jackets (-1.5, +190) are too banged up to trust, even at home, and against a goaltender likely making his team debut.

PASS ON THE PUCK LINE.

Over/Under (O/U)

Go lightly on the UNDER 5.5 (+105) at plus-money. The under is 9-2 in the past 11 meetings in Columbus. The Canucks are also in the third game in four days, and the under is 4-0 in the past four 3-in-4 situations. They’re also in their fourth game in six days, and the under is 3-0-1 in the past 4-in-6 situations. Look for the Under here, too, since the Jackets are banged up and the Canucks are on the second game in as many days with tired legs at the end of a lengthy road trip.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Boston Bruins at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Boston Bruins at Vancouver Canucks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Boston Bruins (39-11-12) travel to meet the Vancouver Canucks (32-22-6) Saturday at Rogers Arena at 10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Bruins-Canucks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Bruins at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Tuukka Rask vs. Jacob Markstrom

Rask puts his 23-5-6 record, 2.04 goals against average and .932 save percentage on the line against the Canucks. He has posted a 9-5-0 record, 2.15 GAA and .930 SV% in his 15 starts on the road. If you’re going to beat him, you have to beat him on the road; however, he is an impressive 10-0-2 with a 1.90 GAA and .936 SV% with two shutouts in 12 starts against Western Conference foes.

The All-Star Markstrom has posted a solid 22-16-4 record with a 2.74 GAA and .918 SV% through his 42 starts. He has been far more impressive at home, going 12-6-3 with a 2.46 GAA and .927 SV% in 21 games, with both of his shutouts coming at Rogers Arena. He’ll be looking to avenge a Feb. 4 loss in Boston when he allowed four goals on 42 shots.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Bruins at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bruins 3, Canucks 2

Moneyline (ML)

The BRUINS (-143) are a decent value on the road, especially due to Rask’s dominance against the Western Conference. Boston has picked up 11 wins in its past games 12 overall, and the Bruins are a strong 10-1 in the past 11 games against teams with a winning record while winning six of the past seven games overall.

The Canucks (+120) have stumbled to just two wins in their past eight, and they’re 1-5 in the past six tries against Atlantic Division foes.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bruins to win returns a profit of $7, while a $10 wager on the Canucks results in a profit of $12.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BRUINS (-1.5, +185) have been on quite the roll lately, so they’re worth a small-unit bet on the puck line. While I think this will be a close, one-goal game, I’d probably play this for $10 if I were at a sportsbook sucking down a free beer just for a little added action. The Canucks (+1.5, -228) are too expensive if you look the other way for a little insurance.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (+100) is even-money, and a good play based on Rask and the trends of the Bruins. The Under is 5-1 in Boston’s past six games overall, and 4-1 in its past five on the road. The Under is also 5-2 in the past seven for the B’s against Western Conference foes, while the Under is 7-3 in the past 10 for Vancouver as a home underdog.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks (31-21-5) host the Chicago Blackhawks (25-23-8) Wednesday at Rogers Arena for a 10:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Blackhawks-Canucks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blackhawks at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Corey Crawford vs. Jacob Markstrom

Crawford is 10-14-3 with a .912 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average through 27 starts and one relief appearance. He’s coming off a Sunday road game against the Winnipeg Jets in which he gave up three goals on 34 shots in a loss.

Markstrom is 21-16-3 through 40 starts with a .915 SV% and 2.81 GAA. He stopped 36 of 38 shots against the Nashville Predators Monday to snap a personal three-game losing streak.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Blackhawks at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 9 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Canucks 4, Blackhawks 1

Moneyline (ML)

The CANUCKS (-161) are an easy choice at home against a Blackhawks (+135) team in last place in the Central Division. Chicago has dropped four straight games, including a 5-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday. It is 5-3-2 across its last 10 games and 13-11-4 on the road for the year.

Vancouver is coming off a 6-2 win over the Preds Monday. It has gone 6-3-1 across its last 10 games and owns a strong 18-6-3 home record for the season. The season series between the two Western Conference opponents is tied at a game apiece coming into Wednesday. The Canucks won the most recent meeting 7-5 Jan. 2 at Rogers Arena.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the CANUCKS (-1.5, +165) to win by at least 2 goals. They’re 32-35 against the spread overall and 14-13 on home ice. The Blackhawks are 32-24 ATS overall and 18-10 on the road, but each of their last two losses were by margins of at least 2 goals. Seven of the Canucks’ last eight wins came by at least 2 goals.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the value in the UNDER 5.5 (+125) and count on the Canucks to contribute the bulk of the scoring with Markstrom shutting the door on the Hawks. The two teams have hit the Over just five teams each in their respective last 10 games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 222-208

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Vancouver Canucks (30-18-5) and Boston Bruins (31-10-12) will lock horns at TD Garden in Boston at 7:00 p.m. ET. We analyze the Canucks-Bruins sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Canucks at Bruins: Projected starting goalies

Jacob Markstrom vs. Tuukka Rask

Markstrom heads into Beantown with a 20-13-3 record, 2.70 goals-against average and .917 save percentage with one shutout. While the All-Star has had solid overall numbers, his road record is just 10-8-1 with a 2.93 GAA and .909 save percentage away from home. He’s also just 2-3-0 with a 3.74 GAA and .876 save percentage in five starts against Atlantic Division teams this season.

Rask has a sparkling 18-4-6 record, 2.23 GAA and .927 save percentage across 29 outings this season. He has been especially impenetrable at home, going 10-0-6 with a 2.20 GAA and .926 save percentage with each of his two shutouts coming at TD Garden in 16 starts.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Canucks at Bruins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bruins 4, Canucks 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Bruins (-223) are heavy favorites at home despite the fact they’re facing a fellow first-place team in the Canucks (+180). However, Vancouver has managed a 1-4 record in their past five against Atlantic Division foes, and they’re 2-5 in the past seven games in the third game of a 3-in-4 (three games in four days) situation. Still, this is a tad bit too much chalk to eat, so look to the puck line.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bruins to win returns a profit of $5.50, while a $10 wager on the Canucks results in a profit of $15.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BRUINS (-1.5, +130) are a better value on home ice where Rask has been particularly outstanding. Conversely, the Canucks (+1.5, -154) have struggled against Atlantic Division foes, and Markstrom’s record on the road and against Atlantic teams is documented above. All trends point to a B’s uprising at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-129) is the play here, although I wouldn’t go crazy straight up. However, a nice parlay with the B’s on the puck line and the over will fetch a tidy little return. The over has cashed in six of the past seven meetings in this series, and four straight at TD Garden. The over is also 8-2 in the past 10 games for the Canucks on the road and 5-0 in the past five vs. Eastern Conference teams. The over is 5-2-1 in the past eight against winning teams, and 5-0-1 in the past six when working on two days of rest.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Midseason 2019-20 Western Conference future odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing the NHL future odds to win the 2019-20 Western Conference, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

With the NHL All-Star weekend and bye weeks in the rear-view mirror and the league’s Feb. 24 trade deadline nearing, it’s a good time to check in on the NHL futures market. Let’s check in on a couple favorites and a couple longshots on the board for winning the Western Conference.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 11 p.m. ET.

2019-20 Western Conference favorites

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. (Photo Credit: James Carey Lauder – USA TODAY Sports)

St. Louis Blues (+360)

The defending Stanley Cup champions don’t need a miraculous second-half turnaround to vault into spring-time bracket play this year. St. Louis is leading the tough Central Division and should be in position for a slew of home games on the Western Conference side of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Blues are a deep team, and with D Alex Pietrangelo leading the way, the St. Louis power play has been clicking along at a 24.4% success rate. The wild card with the Blues is star RW Vladimir Tarasenko. The steady winger has been out since having shoulder surgery in late October. He could return late in the regular season or just in time for the playoffs. That could effectively make him the best acquisition any contender could be making for the stretch run.

Colorado Avalanche (+400)

Nathan MacKinnon and company are leading the Western Conference with 3.64 goals per game. Over the last couple months, Colorado has overtaken St. Louis on the analytics side – the puck-possession and shot-position numbers underpinning goals for, goals against, wins and losses.

The Avs’ power play would figure to have some upside. Colorado ranks 22nd in the NHL with an 18.9% conversion rate. Something close to the 22% (seventh) the team posted last season would be tremendously impactful.

Of all the contenders, the Avalanche have the most available salary cap space, too. That could mean a significant add at the trade deadline. Some veteran blue-line help would make sense. Of the top four or five favorites in the West, Colorado’s +400 price has the best value.

Place a sports bet on the 2019-20 Stanley Cup winner or other NHL games at BetMGM.

2019-20 Western Conference longshots

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom. (Photo credit: Neville E. Guard – USA TODAY Sports)

Vancouver Canucks (+1100)

The Canucks are solidly in the playoff picture, and they’re a couple clicks south of their Pythagorean expectation (comparing goals against goals allowed to predict a won-loss record).

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has been sharp for long stretches and can be a sneaky-good weapon come playoff time. Despite having a lot of young players in key slots, the team as a whole fits that same M.O. If Vancouver can put it all together more consistently, the makings of a team that can make a run are there. GM Jim Benning may not have many attractive draft picks to play with when it comes to trade talks, so the current squad might not get much of a boost from the outside.

Chicago Blackhawks (+2200)

The Chicago Blackhawks are a fun bad-defense-good-goaltending mix of youth and seasoned vets which is surging offensively (3.70 GPG since Dec. 18).  Playing in a balanced, less top-heavy conference, the ‘Hawks could turn out to be a fun bag of mystery fireworks at their current outsider-looking-in price.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Vancouver Canucks (28-18-4) visit the San Jose Sharks (22-25-4) Wednesday at SAP Center at San Jose for a 10:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Canucks-Sharks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Canucks at Sharks: Projected starting goalies

Jacob Markstrom vs. Martin Jones

Markstrom won three of his last four games before the all-star break. He’s 18-13-3 on the season with a .916 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average.

Jones has a 13-16-2 record on the season with a .891 SV% and 3.22 GAA. He has been slightly better at home this year with a 10-7-0 record, .895 SV% and 2.98 GAA.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Canucks at Sharks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Canucks 5, Sharks 4

Moneyline (ML)

The CANUCKS (-115) are road favorites but at higher odds than they should have. The leaders of the Pacific Division are 7-3-0 across their last 10 games and on a three-game winning streak. They’re just 11-13-1 on the road this season, but they lead the season series 2-1, including a 5-2 win in San Jose Nov. 2.

The Sharks (-106) are one of the season’s biggest disappointments. They’ve been slightly improved of late at 5-4-1 across their last 10 games and are a respectable 14-11-1 at home on the season, but they’re not worth backing at anything less than plus-money.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Canucks to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $8.70.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

I’m going to PASS on the puck line. I’d back the Canucks (-1.5, +225) if this game were in Vancouver, but their lackluster road record coupled with the Sharks being better on home ice puts too much risk on the 2-goal margin of victory. There’s also too much juice coming out of the Sharks’ (+1.5, -286) side of the equation.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 5.5 (-133). The Canucks are 4-6 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, while the Sharks are 3-7 over the same stretch. The first two head-to-head meetings of the season topped this projection before they played to a goal total of 5 their last time out (Jan. 18 in Vancouver). Expect a better offensive performance from the Sharks on home ice.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 184-172

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (30-11-8) go north of the border Monday to play the Vancouver Canucks (27-18-4) at 10 p.m. ET at the Rogers Arena. It’s their first game of a four-game road trip through Western Canada. We analyze the Blues-Canucks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blues at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Jake Allen vs. Thatcher Demko

Allen gets the nod in the first game back from the all-star break. He is 8-3-3 through 14 starts and 17 relief appearances while backing up Jordan Binnington. Allen has a .927 save percentage and a 2.22 goals against average.

Demko, 24, will make his 16th start of the season. He is 9-5-1 while backing up starter Jacob Markstrom, and he has a .904 SV% and 3.06 GAA. He stopped 17 of 18 shots in a win over the San Jose Sharks in his last start before the all-star break.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Blues at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 4:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Canucks 3, Blues 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Blues and Canucks lead the Central and Pacific divisions, respectively. You expect motivation will be through the roof since the Canucks dropped their first meeting at home with the defending Stanley Cup champion Blues, losing 2-1 in overtime Nov. 5.  The Blues lost four straight on the road prior to the all-star break and the Canucks were on an eight-game home winning streak. Also, Vancouver has played well against Western Conference competition lately, going 8-1 in their last nine in-conference matchups.

BETTING the CANUCKS (+100) on the moneyline is too good to pass up for a team who’s 16-5-3 at home this season. New to sports betting? Bet $100 on the Canucks to win to earn a profit of $100.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

We are staying away from the puck line and the alternate puck line because the last three tilts between the two division leaders have been decided by shootout or overtime. Also, we are on the Canucks to win this game—nixing a Blues puck line bet—and their 27-22 puck line record isn’t good enough to justify the Canucks’ (+1.5, -286) price point. STICK WITH THE MONEYLINE BET in Blues-Canucks.

Over/Under (O/U)

BetMGM has effectively priced us out of the regular 4.5 total so we are looking to the alternate line of 5.5 as the play in this game. BET UNDER 5.5 (-110) because the Under is 19-7-5 in the last 31 head-to-head meetings in Vancouver and 32-15-9 in the last 56 meetings overall.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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