Bet On NHL Hockey: Canucks
Another season and more lofty expectations greet the Vancouver Canucks – one of the most successful franchises in the NHL over the past few seasons.
CLICK TO GRAB OUR BEST Expert NHL Picks for 2013 HOCKEY Betting!
Odds to Win Stanley Cup: 16/1
Odds to Win Western Conference: 8/1
Odds to Win Pacific Division: 3/1
Off a disappointing 2013 campaign, the Canucks switched focus and brought in a contentious new coach, they went back to their once-jettisoned goaltender and they will still rely on the Sedin twins who have a penchant for disappearing during the playoffs. If there is one team that can’t wait for the season to start – it’s Vancouver who will be eager to answer the mountain of questions that greet them ahead of this 2013-2014 campaign.
*CLICK HERE* GRAB OUR BEST Expert NHL Hockey Picks for 2013 GAMBLING season!
The Vancouver Canucks will field a strong lineup as per usual this year. Names like the Sedin twins, Dan Hamhuis, Jannik Hansen, Ryan Kessler, Alex Burrows, Jason Garrison, Alexander Elder and Kevin Bieksa still exist and Roberto Luongo, who was viewed as a top tier keeper just 18 months ago still has a chance to re-emerge as an elite goaltender.
But we’ve seen this script before. After losing to the Bruins in the Cup final, Vancouver has been trending downward. Roberto Luongo is 34, Kevin Bieksa and Alex Burrows are over 30 and the Sedin twins look very much like a couple of players in the twilight of their careers.
Up front the Canucks look to be OK (for the regular season anyway). Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows are strong but the depth is a huge question mark. David Booth has been a disappointment, Jannik Hansen lacks toughness, and names like Jordan Schroeder, Zack Kassian, Dale Weise and Nicklas Jensen are unproven. There are question marks aplenty at forward for Vancouver – the likes we haven’t seen in quite some time. [ad-4437448]
Defensively Vancouver should be fine. Alex Edler, Jason Garrison, Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Bieksa, Yannik Weber, Chris Tanev and Andrew Alberts are a good bunch but like the forwards have shown signs of wear as the playoffs commence.
And then there is the goaltending situation. Can Roberto Luongo prove his legion of doubters wrong? Will the added motivation of starting for Canada in the Olympics bring the best out in the veteran keeper? Will he be able to forgive and forget the treatment he received by fans and management the last 16 months? Too many question marks for me.
Have I mentioned the coaching? John Tortarella brings with him a circus type atmosphere to Vancouver and those of you who follow hockey know that the Canucks don’t need any more controversy. His defensive style doesn’t seem to be a fit in Vancouver and his no-nonsense style has a way of rubbing his players the wrong way. More question marks!
Betting Prediction: The Vancouver Canucks are possibly the hardest team to forecast ahead of the 2013-2014 season – a ton of question marks accompany them into the season. Their move to the Pacific Division only makes things tougher on this team. In the past they could almost guarantee themselves a Northwest Division crown but teams like the Kings, the Sharks and the Ducks loom large in their new division.
The Canucks take a step back this year and become simply an average NHL team! They are a playoff team but they look like a fourth place team in the Pacific and an early casualty in the playoffs to one of the Western Conference elite.
CappersPicks.com NHL Betting and gambling site provides the BEST Online hockey predictions for you to bet on for the 2013/14 NHL hockey season! Stick with us all season long!
CLICK HERE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT AT BETONLINE.COM AND BET ON HOCKEY AT THE BEST SPORTSBOOK ONLINE!!!!!
