NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Canucks vs. Blues (March 28)
David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Thatcher Demko.
Canucks vs. Blues Odds
| Canucks Odds | +110 |
| Blues Odds | -135 |
| Over/Under | 6 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The St. Louis Blues have had back-to-back tough losses on home ice against the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes. They were outscored by a combined 12-4 in those two games and they are hoping to avoid a fifth straight loss at home.
The Vancouver Canucks continue to get strong goaltending and come into this contest going 2-0-1 in their last three contests, only allowing a total of five goals in that span.
Demko Putting Canucks on His Back
Thatcher Demko had an absolutely incredible performance on Saturday in Dallas and he continues to be the backbone of this Canucks team.
Demko made 35 saves on 36 shots and had a +2.03 Goals Saved Above Expected for the game. His GSAx on the season has been very impressive for a team that isn't currently in a playoff position. He has the 12th best GSAx which is now at a +11.9 and his save percentage is at a .917 on the year.
Another player that has put this team on their back is J.T. Miller. Miller has had a career year, currently leading the team in scoring with 28 goals and 52 assists for 80 points in 65 games. To put how impressive this into perspective, the player that is closest to him in points is Quinn Hughes with 53 points in 63 games. Miller has been on an absolute tear, he has scored goals in four straight games and in this span he has four goals and three assists.
Miller sets the tone for a Canucks offense that hasn't necessarily had the best production this season. As of now, they are expected to score 2.79 goals per game, where they rank 17th. Vancouver dominated the last meeting between these two teams, outshooting the Blues 39-17, but the Canucks ran into a very hot Ville Husso who stood on his head.
The Canucks are playing desperate hockey right now as they are fighting for a playoff spot and I like their chances in this matchup.
Blues Struggling in St. Louis
The St. Louis Blues, who have been very good on home ice all season long, just can't seem to find a way to win at the Enterprise Center lately. They have lost four straight home games and have been outscored 18-9 in that span.
In their last two games they have struggled to put the puck in the net and keep it out of their own. It isn't for a lack of scoring chances, the Blues are generating offense, but for some reason they are just struggling to finish. Throughout the season the Blues have been a top ten offensive team in the league, but right now they are only expected to score 2.86 goals per game which ranks them slightly above Vancouver at 16th.
Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso have been splitting the time in the blue paint, but both of them struggled in their last start so it will be interesting to see who gets the start in this one. This season Jordan Binnington is skating to a 13-13-4 record with a .901 save percentage and a -6.3 GSAx. Husso has been much better between the two as he is 16-6-4 with a .922 save percentage and an 11th best +12.0 GSAx. It seems like Husso is the obvious choice, but we'll see who Craig Berube goes with.
Canucks vs. Blues Pick
As good as the Blues have been on home ice all season, 20-9-4 thus far, I am not all that confident in them right now. This will be their third game in five nights so their legs will be a little heavy.
The Canucks goaltending has been so much better as of late and this team knows that every point matters. The Canucks are three points out of a wild card position and they are playing with a ton of urgency and desperation. I love the way they have been playing and I think this is a great spot to get them at.
Pick: Canucks +110
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