2011 NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Sharks vs Canucks
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San Jose Sharks (23-19-5) at Vancouver Canucks (29-10-7)
Date/Time: Thursday, January 20, 2011, 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: CSN-CA (HD), SNET-P (HD)
Sharks vs. Canucks Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Spread: OFF
Moneyline: San Jose +135: Vancouver -155
Over/Under: 5.5 goals
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Thursday night’s game between the Sharks and the Canucks should be a battle for top spot in the West but someone forgot to tell the San Jose players that nobody is going to give them two points in the standings. The Canucks currently sit in a tie for the overall lead in the NHL while the underachieving Sharks sit a disappointing 18th! A win for San Jose in Vancouver’s building could serve as a major building block for this team going forward.
The Sharks have won two straight games after a string of six losses in a row. Their offense has slipped to 15th in the NHL (2.7 goals per game) and their defense also ranks 15th (2.8 goals allowed per game). The Sharks’ stars are finally starting to consistently contribute – Dany Heatley has goals in three straight games and has six points in three, Joe Thornton has eight points in four games and Joe Pavelski has three points in two games. As long as the elite talent on the Sharks plays up to their potential, the Sharks will be fine.
Expect to see Antti Niemi in goal on Thursday – Antero Niitymaki has been horrible. Niemi has had success against Vancouver (remember his play for Chicago in last year’s playoffs?). He is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals against average in his last two starts.
The Vancouver Canucks have actually looked ordinary in their last five games – we’ll give them a mulligan as all five were on the road! They are still 6-2-2 in their last 10 games despite a 2-2-1 road trip. They were also shut out two times during those five games. Home is gold for the Canucks – they are 15-3-3 so far a Rogers Arena this season.
Vancouver has the 3rd best offense and the 4th best defense in the NHL. They are as complete a team as there is in the league and nothing short of an opposition’s best effort will result in a victory against them.
The Sedins have been scorching and Ryan Kesler has followed suit. Unfortunately for the Canucks Jeff Tambellini is pointless in 11 games, Manny Malhotra is pointless in 10 and Mayson Raymond hasn’t registered a point in seven games.
Look for Roberto Luongo to start in goal on Thursday. He is an insane 10-0-3 in his last 13 games with a 2.09 goals against average.
Betting Prediction: The San Jose Sharks are 11-10-3 on the road this season but are just 2-6 in their last eight games overall. The Sharks are 10-4 in their last 14 games against the Canucks. Vancouver is an impressive 15-3-3 at home this season and is 19-7 in their last 26 games overall.
Vancouver is simply on a different level than the San Jose Sharks and on home ice, they simply won’t be denied. Vancouver looks forward to its games with San Jose – it wasn’t too long ago that the Canucks were absolutely owned by this San Jose. Vancouver is the best team in the league and on Thursday, they will show just why!
Pick: Vancouver Canucks -155 and the Over – 5.5 goals
