Panthers vs Canucks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

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14 December 2023

Panthers vs Canucks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

Two of the best teams in the NHL in Florida and Vancouver will go head-to-head at Rogers Arena, but while the Canucks scored a 4-1 win last time out, the Panthers suffered a shutout loss. We break down the matchup and more in our NHL betting picks below.

The Vancouver Canucks look to wrap up a perfect four-game homestand when they welcome in the Florida Panthers.

Florida is in the midst of a five-game road trip and is coming off a loss to the Kraken. This stop in Vancouver kicks off the last three of its set through Western Canada.

Despite the ‘Nucks being tied for the league lead in home wins, the Panthers are -115 favorites in the NHL odds.

Let’s break down this matchup of cross-conference heavies and read on for my free NHL picks.

Panthers vs Canucks odds

Panthers vs Canucks predictions

Considering both these teams rank in their Top 5 in wins this season, this should be appointment viewing. The Florida Panthers are 17-9-2 and sit third in the Eastern Conference, while the Vancouver Canucks hold the second-best mark in the West at 19-9-1.

After pumping in 13 goals in wins over a three-game win streak, the Panthers were stopped in the Pacific Northwest and blanked in a 4-0 loss to the Kraken.

Despite peppering the net with the second-most shots on goal in the NHL (33.6), the Panthers aren't exactly an offensive powerhouse — they're scoring just 3.04 goals per game, good for 20th in the league.

And it won't be a soft landing in Vancouver, though Florida has dominated this matchup of late, winning five of the last six, including the last two at Rogers Arena.

The Canucks are coming off a 4-1 win over the Lightning, showcasing their stellar two-way play. Vancouver leads the league in scoring to the tune of 3.83 goals per game, but they’re also fourth in goals allowed, surrendering just 2.55 per game.

That end is controlled by goalie Thatcher Demko, who’s tied for the league lead in wins with 14 while posting a crisp 2.42 GAA and a .918 SV%, both Top-10 marks in hockey.

However, he’s been getting bailed out by his offense of late. Despite going 3-1 in December, Demko has a 3.26 GAA and a .881 save percentage.

This will be the second and final meeting between these teams this season, with Vancouver taking the opener 5-3 in Florida. Andrei Kuzmenko scored the go-ahead goal with 4:57 left to play, part of a late two-goal rally to break a 3-3 tie allowing the Canucks to escape with the win.

Even though Florida is among the East’s best with eight road wins this season, I like Vancouver staying hot at home, wanting to end on a high before embarking on a four-game road trip.

My best bet: Canucks moneyline (-105 at SIA)

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Panthers vs Canucks same-game parlay

Canucks moneylineBrock Boeser anytime goalscorer

Over 6.5

Let’s continue with building a three-leg parlay with Brock Boeser, who's currently tied with Toronto’s Auston Matthews for the league lead in goals. He's also coming off a dynamite night against Tampa, logging his fifth career hat trick to power the Canucks to victory.

He did tally an empty-net goal against the Panthers in the first meeting, and he’s scored eight goals in the last eight but they’ve come in bunches. Along with the hattie, he’s had two other multi-goal games.

We’ll finish with the total and side with the top-scoring team in the NHL. The Canucks might be just 2-2-1 against the Metropolitan Division this season, but they've crossed Thursday's 6-5 goal total in all five of those matchups.

Before their shutout loss, Florida and their opponent have combined to score 7+ goals in three of four games.

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Panthers vs Canucks moneyline and Over/Under analysis

It’s been a divided moneyline, depending on your sportsbook. As early as Wednesday afternoon, you could even find the Panthers as +107 underdogs.

Many of the books have shifted course, though, with Florida now as short as -115 favorites, while Vancouver has settled at -105.

The total has never dipped under 6, and most points have gone the other way to 6.5. Vancouver has been in that department, going 15-8-2 O/U. The Over has hit in just 11 of 24 Florida games.