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Carolina Hurricanes at Vancouver Canucks Free Pick 12/5/17

The Carolina Hurricanes and the Vancouver Canucks face off at Rogers Arena in a cross-continent tilt. Sportsnet Pacific will broadcast the game, and the puck drops at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds

Carolina (-115) is currently favored over Vancouver (-105), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -130 for the under and +110 for the over.

Vancouver is 13-14 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a remarkable improvement over the 30-52 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 27 regular season outings, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 4-8 SU at home this year.

The Canucks have converted on 20.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.

As a team, the Canucks have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five games at home. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.5 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.

Averaging 26.5 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (seven wins, 12 losses, and three OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Nucks this year. If head coach Travis Green decides to rest him, however, the team may roll with Anders Nilsson (6-3-3 record, .922 save percentage, 2.68 goals against average).

Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat will each be focal points for the Canucks. Boeser (25 points) has tallied 13 goals and 12 assists and has recorded two or more points in six different games this year. Horvat has 10 goals and nine assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 13 games.

Carolina is 11-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 25 regular season contests, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Hurricanes are 5-7 SU as the road team this season.

The Hurricanes have converted on just 16.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully defended 77.8 percent of all penalties.

Carolina’s players have been penalized only 2.8 times per game this season, and 3.5 per game over their past ten outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Scott Darling (.903 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina. Darling is averaging 24.6 saves per game and has seven wins, 12 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.

Teuvo Teravainen (eight goals, 14 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Hurricanes.

Carolina Hurricanes at Vancouver Canucks Betting Predictions

Predictions: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over

Notes

Betting Trends

The Canucks are 7-5 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Hurricanes are 4-2 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than the opposition.

Two of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this season.

The over has hit in three of Vancouver’s last five outings.

Vancouver is ranked 11th this season with 8.8 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed lately, as the team’s averaged 10.1 giveaways over its last 10 games and 11.6 giveaways over its last five.

Carolina is ranked 19th this season with 10.0 giveaways per game. That figure has trended upward recently, as it’s averaged 13.0 giveaways over its last 10 games and 14.4 giveaways over its last five.

Written by GMS Previews

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