The Vancouver Canucks have won back-to-back games for just the second time in the 2021-22 regular season. Following a five-game road trip, which ended in consecutive wins against fellow Canadian teams in Ottawa and Montreal, the Canucks return home to play game one of a six-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Despite only winning two of their five games on their recent road travels, Vancouver stands with lots to gain from their performances. After a sub-par outing in Pittsburgh to start the trip, the Canucks will look to come full-circle and beat them at Rogers Arena in order to try and revive their barely-alive season.
Vancouver, still sitting dead last in the Pacific Division with a record of 8-14-2, are currently nine points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, and need to keep winning in order to stay within striking distance of the teams ahead of them.
With the schedule becoming more difficult and compact as the weeks go on, it is critical that Vancouver takes advantage of their upcoming homestand by winning at least four, if not all six games.
The last time these two teams met was just over a week ago, where the Penguins defeated the Canucks by a score of 4-1, thanks to Vancouver’s strong second period. Vancouver will look to flip the script and ensure they defend home territory on Saturday night.
Despite conceding four goals on 21 shots against the Oilers in his last start, expect Pittsburgh to return to Tristan Jarry between the pipes on Saturday, while Vancouver should continue to ride the hot play of Thatcher Demko.
The odds for Saturday’s game between the Penguins and Canucks are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook, the official sports betting partner of FanSided.
Penguins vs. Canucks Odds and Totals:
Moneyline:
Canucks +120
Penguins -140
Total:
5.5 goals (over -110 // under -110)
Puckline:
Canucks +1.5 at -200
Penguins -1.5 at +170
Penguins vs. Canucks Prediction:
The Canucks are coming off back-to-back wins, whilst the Penguins have lost three consecutive games. Despite being on opposite ends of the standings, the difference between the teams is not as much as many believe it to be at this moment in time. Pittsburgh’s offence has dried up since their last game against Vancouver, so expect the Canucks to make adjustments on the backend to keep that Penguin offence in a slump. Vancouver knows their season already hangs in the balance at this early point in the year, and winning some of these difficult games is a must.
Give us Vancouver taking home the victory in a low-scoring close matchup.
Pick: Canucks Moneyline +120
What are your thoughts on this upcoming game between the Penguins and Canucks? What bets will you be placing on the game? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comment section!