Vancouver Canucks at Carolina Hurricanes odds, picks and predictions
The Vancouver Canucks (33-11-5) kick off a 5-game road trip on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes (28-15-5). Puck drop at PNC Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Canucks vs. Hurricanesodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Canucks pulled into the All-Star break with an impressive run, going 9-0-2 in the previous 11 games, last losing in regulation in St. Louis on Jan. 4. Vancouver has also cashed the Over at a 7-3-1 clip in the previous 11 outings.
Vancouver ranks 2nd in the NHL with 3.8 goals per game (GPG), and the Canucks are also 2nd in the league with 2.6 GPG allowed. The power play has been on point for Vancouver, performing at a 25.0% clip to rank 8th, while the penalty kill is rather middling at 80.0% to rank 15th.
Carolina won its final 3 games prior to the break, and the Canes posted 4 straight victories against teams with a winning record. The Canes posted 3 consecutive Under results, too, outscoring the opposition 9-5.
These teams met on Dec. 9 in Vancouver, and the Canucks registered a 4-3 win as the Over (6) cashed, with All-Star Thatcher Demko holding off Antti Raanta.
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Canucks at Hurricanes odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 6:29 a.m. ET.
Canucks at Hurricanes projected goalies
Thatcher Demko (26-8-1, 2.44 GAA, .920 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Pyotr Kochetkov (11-7-3, 2.58 GAA, .900 SV%, 1 SO)
Demko had a tremendous January, and really, he has had a tremendous season. The All-Star went 9-1-0 with a 2.39 GAA and .926 SV% with 2 SO in 10 starts in January. While the GAA is under his season average, it was actually his 3rd-worst out of 4 months to date. That's how good he has been.
Demko allowed 3 goals on 24 shots in the 4-3 win against the Hurricanes in the Pacific Northwest on Dec. 9 in the 1st meeting.
Kochetkov is projected to get the start in front of the home fans, as Raanta has been struggling lately, and Frederik Andersen is still making his way back from a blood-clotting issue.
Kochetkov was sharp in 3 starts prior to being sent down to Chicago of the AHL in mid-January, going 2-0-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .898 SV% in 3 starts in the previous month. He has won 4 out of the past 5 starts, and the Canes are 5-0 in his previous 5 appearances.
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Canucks at Hurricanes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Canucks 2
The HURRICANES (-145) are a solid play as moderate favorites, as they're not priced out of line.
Carolina has racked up a solid 11-2-1 record across the past 15 games, scooping up 23 out of a possible 26 points. It won't be easy, however, as the Canucks (+120) have also been quite hot. Vancouver hasn't lost in regulation in 11 games since Jan. 4, so expect this to be a nail-biter.
The Canucks +1.5 (-200) are a little on the pricey side as underdogs on the puck line, costing you 2 times your potential return if you require a little bit of insurance.
The Hurricanes -1.5 (+165) are just 2-4 on the puck line in the past 6 games as a favorite, so they cannot be trusted, either.
AVOID.
The UNDER 6 (+100) is a solid bet at even-money, although be careful.
The All-Star Demko has been on fire, although Vancouver is just 3-3-1 in the past 7 games on the total. All-Stars Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, etc. have helped the team rack up big-time offensive totals, so that's why you must proceed with caution.
The Canes have hit the Under in 3 in a row, however, and the total has gone low in 4 of the past 6 showings in front of the home fans.
