Canucks vs Wild Hockey Betting?
The Vancouver Canucks know that there is absolutely zero room for error down the stretch of the NHL Regular Season and on Wednesday night they get a chance to make up a little ground on one of the teams they must leap-frog in order to qualify for the playoffs.
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Vancouver (30-33-3-7) at Minnesota (37-24-4-7)
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Broadcast: SNET-P, FS-N
Canucks vs. Wild Betting Lines
Vancouver Canucks +1½ -225 +134 Ov 5 -102
Minnesota Wild -1½ +195 -147 Un 5 -108
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Wild Card Hopefuls Collide – Canucks Visit Wild Wednesday Night
The Minnesota Wild who are just 3-3-4 in their last 10 games await, nine points up on the Canucks in the West, looking to put a nail in the coffin of the visiting team. The Wild have won four straight games against the Canucks including both meetings this season.
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The Vancouver Canucks really put themselves in a deep hole during a streak of 11 losses in 12 games but they have won two straight ahead of Wednesday night`s contest. The Canucks are finally getting some decent goaltending – it is the reason that they have snapped their ugly skid. Eddie Lack is 2-0-0 in his last two starts with a 1.00 GAA and .958 save percentage in his last two starts – reason for optimism heading into this game.
But injuries, particularly to the forward unit continue to plague this team – Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows stayed home from the road trip after sustaining all-too-familiar injuries. Burrows had been on fire before injuring his hand and Henrik had been playing better. That leaves a host of struggling players to pick up the slack – Daniel Sedin doesn’t have a point in 13 games – his goal drought has reached 23 games – yuk! Chris Higgins is still pointless in his last four games and Jason Garrison hasn`t recorded a point in five.
However, some more optimism comes in the form of Zack Kassian who had four assists last time out. He has shown flashes and put it all together in one game – hopes are a little confidence boost will help Kassian help his team down the stretch. Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa each have three points in four games and Nicklas Jensen has four points in his last five games.
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The Minnesota Wild haven`t exactly been lighting the world on fire but they have maintained their position as one of the Wild card holders in the West with plenty of pursuers behind them. A 3-3-4 stretch has allowed some of those teams to close the gap but a come-from-behind win in Detroit Sunday may have switched the fortunes of the Wild going forward.
Offensively trade deadline acquisition Matt Moulson has finally found a home – Moulson has three goals and three assists in his last four games to lead the Wild while Jason Pominville has nine points in nine games. Charlie Coyle has three points in two games, Jared Spurgeon has four points in four games and Ryan Suter has three points in three games.
Offense doesn`t seem to be a problem for Minnesota but the defense and goaltending has to tighten up if the Wild hope to go deep into the playoffs. Darcy Kuemper is 0-2-0 in his last two starts with a 3.08 GAA and .897 save percentage.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• VAN are 5-16 in their last 21 road games.
• Under is 9-3 in VAN last 12 Wed. games.
• VAN are 6-14 in their last 20 overall.
• Under is 8-3-4 in MIN last 15 vs. Pacific.
• MIN are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Pacific.
• Under is 13-5-8 in MIN last 26 home games.
• Home team is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
• VAN are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Wild have had their way with the Canucks the last two seasons holding the Canucks to two or less goals during a four game series win streak. Although the Wild are scuffling just a tad the absence of Henrik and Alex Burrows will loom large for Vancouver. The Wild are 23-8-5 at home this year while the Canucks are just 15-19-4 on the road. The Canucks` ship sailed long ago and took all of their mojo with it!
Pick: Minnesota Wild -147
