Canucks: Betting odds and prediction vs. Golden Knights (November 13)

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights stops a shot by Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 04, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights stops a shot by Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 04, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Vancouver Canucks are an abysmal disaster right now. With pressure mounting on general manager Jim Benning and head coach Travis Green, the Canucks (5-7-2) continue to play subpar hockey, a measly 2-5-1 in their last eight games. Following a new-low for this hockey club, a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche, they must pick themselves up again to visit Vegas and take on the Golden Knights (8-6-0) on Saturday night.

Vancouver is looking internally for answers amongst their dogged start to another campaign, however answers are few and far between for the 7th placed team in the Pacific. The Canucks currently sit 26th in offensive output per game, and sit tied for 20th in defensive rankings throughout the NHL, giving up on average exactly three goals per game. If a fix isn’t on the horizon, Vancouver may find themselves falling out of playoff contention and into high lottery pick contention faster than expected.

Vancouver’s opponent on Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights, seemed to have dragged themselves out of their early-season hangover following a deep playoff run last year, and despite being down lots of pieces, have won four of their last five games. Key pieces the Golden Knights will be without for Saturday’s showdown include Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and the newly acquired Jack Eichel. Vancouver will be without defencemen Tucker Poolman since he was suspended two games for a high-stick to Colorado’s Kiefer Sherwood.

Vegas struggles mightily on special teams, ranking in the bottom-ten in powerplay and penalty kill efficiency. Taking advantage of these porous units for Vegas seems like a potential way to spark some momentum for the Canucks in these troubling times.

After getting shelled for six goals in Thursday’s defeat,it is unclear whether Thatcher Demko  or Jaroslav Halak getting the start against Vegas, whilst the Golden Knights should ride with incumbent starter Robin Lehner.

The betting odds for Saturday’s game between the Golden Knights and Canucks are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook, the official betting partner of FanSided.

Golden Knights vs. Canucks odds and totals:

Moneyline:

Golden Knights -143

Canucks +128

Total:

5.5 goals (over -105 // under -115)

Puckline:

Golden Knights -1.5 at +165

Canucks +1.5 at -185

Golden Knights vs. Canucks Prediction:

The Canucks are in desperate need of a subsequent reaction on the ice to save their season. Will they get it? Who knows. One thing I know for sure, there will be goals in this hockey game. This may seem hypocritical given both teams struggles in the offensive zone, even if Vegas has hit the over in four of their last five games, but the merit that this game holds usually means goals are forthcoming. Either one of two things are going to happen. Either the Canucks are going to come out like a house on fire and burn down the Vegas nets will lots of pucks hitting the back of Lehner’s goal, or they’re going to completely lose interest and trust in their coaching staff and get run out the building again in embarrassing fashion. Doesn’t matter which one happens, both will result in goals and the subsequent over cashing.

Pick: Over 5.5 goals at -105

What are your thoughts on this matchup between Vegas and Vancouver? What bets will you be placing down for this contest? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comment section!