Two squads currently on winning streaks, the Vancouver Canucks and the expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights take the ice at Rogers Arena in a divisional tilt. The opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 3, and it’ll be televised live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vegas is 50-29 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 17.2 units this season. 39 of its games have gone over the total, while 38 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Golden Knights team is 21-17 SU on the road.
Vegas has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the league. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
The Knights, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties just 3.2 times per game this season, 2.8 per game over its past five matchups total, and 3.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.1 saves per game with a .931 save percentage, Marc-Andre Fleury (29-16-4) has been the best option in goal for Vegas this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team may roll with Malcolm Subban (14-5-2), who has a .915 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average this year.
The visiting Golden Knights have relied on William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault this year. Karlsson (75 points) is up to 42 goals and 33 assists, and has recorded multiple points 17 times. Marchessault has 27 goals and 48 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in 46 games).
Vancouver is 30-49 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 43 of its contests have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team is 15-24 SU at home.
The Canucks have converted on just 21.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.7 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jacob Markstrom (26.6 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for the Canucks. Markstrom has 22 wins, 36 losses, and seven OT losses to his name and has recorded a .913 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average this year.
Brock Boeser (29 goals, 26 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the Canucks.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Vegas is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 0-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in four of Vancouver’s last five games.
Vancouver has averaged 2.6 goals per game overall this season, but has upped it to 3.8 per contest over its four-game win streak.
Over Vancouver’s last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-5 in those games).
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