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The Vancouver Canucks (0-1-2) meet the Florida Panthers (3-2-0) at Amerant Bank Arena Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Canucks vs. Panthers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Canucks won 2-0 in 2023-24
The Canucks suffered a 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay Tuesday to kick off the 4-game road trip. It was Vancouver’s 1st setback in regulation this season. They lost 6-5 in OT at home against the Calgary Flames in the Wednesday opener and 3-2 in a shootout against the Philadelphia Flyers Friday night.
The Panthers lost the 1st 2 contests of a 4-game road trip in Ottawa and Buffalo, but they rebounded with a pair of 4-3 victories in Boston and Columbus. The Panthers are 2-1 in 3 games as favorites, while the Over has connected in 4 of 5 outings.
Panthers LW Matthew Tkachuk missed the past 2 games due to an illness, and he is expected to be sidelined for this one, too. He joins C Aleksander Barkov on the shelf, as the pivot is already sidelined due to a lower-body ailment.
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Canucks at Panthers 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 9:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Canucks -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Panthers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-250) | Panthers -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Canucks at Panthers projected goalies
Kevin Lankinen (0-0-1, 1.85 GAA, .935 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (2-1-0, 3.02 GAA, .894 SV%)
Lankinen kicked aside 29 of the 31 shots in his team debut Friday against the Flyers. With G Arturs Silovs coughing up 9 goals on 53 shots in his first 2 games, good for a 4.50 GAA and .830 SV%, the journeyman backup should get another look against a Panthers team without Barkov and Tkachuk.
Bobrovsky has picked up victories in 2 of his 3 outings, both against the Bruins. After coughing up 4 goals in his 1st start, Bob has allowed just 5 goals on the past 57 shots.
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Canucks at Panthers picks and predictions
Prediction
Canucks 3, Panthers 2
Moneyline
The CANUCKS (-110) catch a break with the Panthers (-110) missing their top 2 offensive weapons in Barkov and Tkachuk.
While Vancouver is a long way from home, and likely to use its backup tendy, the Canucks did sweep the season series against the defending Stanley Cup champs last season. Look for Vancouver to extend its series win streak to 3 Thursday.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Canucks +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2½ times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward if you need a little bit of insurance.
AVOID, as that’s not a recommended betting strategy. Playing the puck line on the goal line is dangerous due to the potential of a late empty-net goal turning a cover into a loss in the final minute or 2.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (-105) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under has cashed in the past 2 games for Vancouver, including Lankinen’s debut against the Flyers, as well as the team’s 1st game of the road trip.
While the Panthers have hit the Over in 3 in a row and 4 of the past 5 games, remember, they’re down 2 snipers.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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