NHL Preview: Canucks vs Hurricanes Betting Odds
Vancouver Ended First Half On a 17-2-4 Run; Hurricanes are 11-2-1 Last 14 Games
The Vancouver Canucks (33-11-5, 71 points) would tell you they would have preferred the all-star break never came after rolling right along for most of the season. The break is a small roadblock for a team that leads the Vegas Golden Knights by seven points for the lead in the Pacific Division with a game in hand over the defending champions. NHL standings show that the Carolina Hurricanes share the Canucks sentiment after playing their best hockey before the break.
Carolina is now just two points behind the New York Rangers in the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand. Today’s NHL games only feature two games but both are extremely important. Oddsmakers have made the Hurricanes a -145 favorite with a total of 6.5 (under -118). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT / 4:00 P.M. ET.
Canucks vs Hurricanes 
Day/Time:
Location: PCN Arena
Vancouver Still Has Doubters
When we say that Vancouver still has critics to convince, we suppose we’re just talking about us. Don’t get it twisted, the Canucks are among our title contenders but we have them rated below the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference.
Overall we have them eighth in our latest power rankings. That was before GM Patrik Allvin went out and signed former Calgary Flame Elias Lindholm (9 goals, 23 assists, 32 points). The 29-year-old is a long way away from his career-high 42 goals in 2022, but his presence could provide that veteran lift that some of us think Vancouver still needs to beat some of the other teas in the West while holding off the Vegas Golden Knights who will make moves on or before the March 8th trade deadline.
It’s not clear where Lindholm will fit in Rick Tochett’s line-up but his ability to play center and on the wing made him an attractive addition. For bettors, no team has been more profitable than Vancouver with 10.73 units won. It looks like the Canucks will break a 3-year streak of finishing in the red. As a dog, Vancouver is 13-8, +7.15 units with only the St. Louis Blues (+12.53 units) being more profitable when getting plus money.
Carolina Hoping To Get a Healthy Svechnikov
While the Canucks making an early move it will be interesting to see how the Hurricanes approach the deadline. Those decisions for GM Don Waddell start with knowing the status of former 30-goal scorer Andrei Svechnikov who has battling injuries over the last calendar year.
His latest setback was due to his second oblique injury in two months. The 29-year-old is back at practice but is wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. His status for tonight’s game is questionable. The good news for Hurricanes fans, we have them listed as the best team in the Eastern Conference and third overall.
This has been quite the turnaround for Carolina after starting the season 17-13-4 and out of the Stanley Cup contenders discussion. Since the ‘Canes are 11-2-1 to move with a game of the first-place New York Rangers who have been treading water for a couple of months.
Carolina hasn’t been as big of a money maker for the public because their rocky start was full of large moneyline losses, a hole they still haven’t climbed themselves out of with -3.22 units lost. As a favorite, Carolina is 26-17 (-2.48) and 15-9 (-1.72 units) as a home favorite.
We conclude our Canucks vs Hurricanes odds preview with our official selection.
Offense Rules After Break
There aren’t any official statistics to back this, but we’ve always felt like the games after a long layoff feature two teams who are ready to play a high-tempo affair with defense being a premium. Vancouver has been an over team for most of the season and before the break, the Canucks added to that with three overs in their last four games averaging four goals per game.
The last two meetings featured two 4-3 scores, including a Vancouver win in their first meeting this year in early December. The oddsmakers have given us a small amount of plus money which we are glad to take, making our official play over 6.5. That does it for our Canucks vs Hurricanes odds preview.
We wish you all the best with your NHL picks and parlays.
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