In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Vancouver Canucks and the Minnesota Wild take the ice at the Xcel Energy Center in a Western Conference tilt. Sportsnet will broadcast the matchup, which gets going at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 14.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Losing -1.3 units for moneyline bettors, the Wild are 24-21 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 49-33 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 45 games this season, 23 have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 15-7 SU at home.
Minnesota’s converted on 18.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
Minnesota, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, 4.2 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 10.4 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
With a .920 save percentage and 28.5 saves per game, Devan Dubnyk (18-11-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Wild this year. Dubnyk did just play last night, however, so the team could choose to give him the night off and instead turn to Alex Stalock (7-12-12 record, .914 save percentage, 2.71 goals against average).
Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Wild. Staal (37 points) has tallied 19 goals and 18 assists and has recorded multiple points 10 times this year. Granlund has 13 goals and 22 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 21 games.
On the other side of the ice, Vancouver is 17-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and none have pushed. As the away team, Vancouver is 10-12 SU so far.
Vancouver has converted on 21.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s good enough for sixth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five contests. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (2.75 goals against average and .908 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.3 saves per game and has 11 wins, 21 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canucks will be Brock Boeser, who’s got 22 goals and 18 assists on the year.
Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in three of Minnesota’s last five outings.
Minnesota’s attempted 29.8 shots per game overall this season (ranked 29th in the NHL), and 32.7 across their last 10 games.
The Wild are 13-12 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Canucks are 9-10 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
Vancouver is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Minnesota is 2-1 in shootouts.
Minnesota skaters have averaged 5.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.1 takeaways per game (ranked 27th in the NHL).
Vancouver is ranked 27th in the NHL with 5.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward recently, as the team has created 7.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.0 takeaways over its last five.
