Canucks vs. Predators prediction: NHL odds, picks, best bets
After sinking themselves in back-to-back seasons by stumbling out of the gates, it was imperative for the Vancouver Canucks to get off to a strong start this October.
The Canucks have checked that box by posting a 4-2-2 record despite a pretty tough schedule.
Everything seems to be pointing in the right direction for Vancouver, but bettors should tread with some caution in this situation.
It does seem pretty clear that Vancouver is an improved team from last season, but a lot of its uptick in form has to do with goaltender Thatcher Demko being healthy and his deputy, Casey DeSmith, is off to a strong start to his Canucks career.
Strong goaltending blended with some terrific performances from Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser has powered the Canucks, but the underlying metrics are a little less convincing and suggest some negative regression is coming for the Canucks.
A team with Demko and dynamic playmakers always has a chance to outperform its statistical portfolio, but you’d like to see Vancouver do a better job driving play when it’s being priced as a -142 favorite against a team that was projected for a similar point total before Opening Night.
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The Predators may not be setting the world on fire with their start, but it’s been respectable.
It’s never a bad idea to bet Juuse Saros when he’s an underdog and it seems as if the Canucks are getting a little too much market respect Tuesday night.
