Coyotes vs Canucks NHL Line & Handicapping
Coyotes Visit Canucks in Battle for Eighth in the Western Conference
The Vancouver Canucks will look to extend their modest win streak to three games Friday night when they play host to the Phoenix Coyotes – a team that they trail by one point for eighth place in the Western Conference.
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Phoenix (16-8-2-2) at Vancouver (15-10-2-3)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, December 6, 2013
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: FS-A PLUS, SNET-P
Coyotes vs. Canucks Betting Lines
Phoenix Coyotes +1½ -225 +132 Ov 5½ +111
Vancouver Canucks -1½ +195 -145 Un 5½ -122
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The Canucks enter Friday’s game banged up – Alex Edler is the latest Canuck to go down with injury after it was learned that Alex Burrows would be sidelined with a broken jaw. The Coyotes come into the game looking for a little redemption after dropping a 4-1 decision to lowly Calgary Wednesday.
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The Phoenix Coyotes have hit a bit of a rough patch – they have gone just 2-4-1 in their last seven games overall and they have surrendered at least four goals in five of those games. Part of the reason for their struggle is their league worst power play which sits at 76.9%.
The Coyotes allow a healthy 3.14 goals per game – among the worst in the NHL right now. Mike Smith got last game off and it may be a good thing – he is 1-3-1 in his last five starts with a 3.62 GAA and .886 save percentage. But his backup Thomas Greiss allowed four goals on 18 shots against Calgary. Defense and goaltending has been an issue – something that will have to tighten up as we head deeper into December.
At least the Coyotes can score some goals – they average 3.14 goals per game themselves. Defenseman Keith Yandle has goals in consecutive games, captain Shane Doan has one goal and two assists in the past two games, Radim Vrbata has 10 points in eight games and Mikkel Boedker has three points in two games.
The Vancouver Canucks are a hurting bunch – Burrows and Edler will certainly be missed. They return home to start a five game home stand off a 3-1 victory at Nashville on Tuesday night – their second straight win. Home cooking hasn’t exactly been a good thing for Vancouver lately though – they are just 5-5-3 on home ice this year.
Vancouver did go 3-1 on their recent road trip and won back-to-back games for the first time in over a month. Ryan Kesler has caught fire offensively – he has posted two straight two goal games to pace the Canucks. Kesler now has a team high 14 goals but the bulk of his production (11 of the 14 goals) has come on the road. Also contributing offensively are Daniel Sedin who has nine points in seven games, Jason Garrison who has four points in two games and Jannik Hansen who has two points in his last two outing.
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Some production from Kevin Bieksa would be nice – he is pointless in his last eight games while Dan Hamhuis is pointless in seven.
With injuries up and down the lineup – depth will be tested and role players are going to have to step up in the offensive zone.
Roberto Luongo should get the start Friday night – he is 2-1-0 in his last three starts with a 2.57 GAA and .925 save percentage.
Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Over is 7-2 in PHO last 9 overall.
• Over is 6-2 in PHO last 8 vs. Western Conference.
• PHO are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
• Under is 18-4-4 in VAN last 26 home games.
• VAN are 3-13 in their last 16 vs. Pacific.
• Under is 15-7-5 in VAN last 27 overall.
• Under is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Vancouver.
• Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
The Vancouver Canucks are home, off a successful road trip. But the first game home after such a trip is usually a tough outing for the home team. I like the Coyotes to bounce back from an ugly performance against Calgary Wednesday night. They are too well coached and too solid up and down the lineup to NOT respond Friday night.
The Canucks will likely take some time to adjust to life without their #1 D-man and their second line winger. Phoenix may have caught the Canucks at precisely the right time!
Pick: Phoenix Coyotes +132
