Canucks: Betting odds and prediction vs. Red Wings (March 17)

After a much needed 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, the Vancouver Canucks will look to pick up another two points when they host the Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena.

In what will be game five of their seven game home stand, the Canucks are tasked with another winnable game that must be taken advantage of if they wish to play postseason hockey come spring.

Vancouver currently sits with a record of 30-24-7, and are slotted fifth in the Pacific Division. The Canucks are just one point out of the last wild card spot in Western Conference, and can jump into that role on Thursday with a victory and losses by Dallas and Vegas.

With just 21 games left in the regular season, the Canucks hope their best hockey is still yet to come.

The opponent on Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings, are in the midst of a rebuild, yet are having a better season than many experts thought they would. Despite this, Detroit are out of the playoff race and sit fifth in the loaded Atlantic Division with a record of 24-29-7.

Led by head coach Jeff Blashill, the Red Wings boast talents including the likes of Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, and calder-candidate Moritz Seider.

Detroit’s special teams are a large reason why the team has not exceeded expectations more than they already have, with their power play ranked 27th in the league and their penalty kill ranked 31st.

The team from the Motor City do come into this matchup reeling, having lost six games in a row, and eight of their last ten.

These two sides did meet very early in the season back at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, with the Red Wings taking both points by a score of 3-1.

Expect both teams to have starters in net for this matchup, resulting in a matchup between Thatcher Demko and Alex Nedeljkovic.

The odds for Thursday’s game between Vancouver and Detroit are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook, the official betting partner of FanSided.

Betting Odds

Moneyline

Canucks -200

Red Wings +175

Goal Total

Over 6.0 goals at -120

Under 6.0 goals at +100

Puckline

Canucks -1.5 at +120

Red Wings +1.5 at -140

Prediction

Vancouver heads into this game in another must-win scenario. Games at home against this level of opponent during the stretch run have to result in two points. Detroit is meddling in no-man’s land, and don’t have anything to play for during their remaining 22 games. Expect the Canucks to come out and put the Red Wings to the sword early in this game, and pull away as the contest rolls on. Vancouver has the better team, is actually playing for something, are at home, and have the better goaltender. The makings are there for a home team victory.

The Canucks win and cover the -1.5 puckline.

Pick: Canucks -1.5 at +120

What are your thoughts on this upcoming game between the Canucks and Red Wings? What bets will you be placing on the matchup? Let us know your feelings down below in the comment section!