NHL: Vancouver Canucks vs Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
Canucks Can Deliver Death Knell to Golden Knights Hopes of Winning the Pacific
We will be in attendance for what could be the last breaths for the Vegas Golden Knights (33-22-7, 73 points) to win the Pacific Division.
The Vancouver Canucks ( 40-17-7, 87 points) lead the Knights, who have fallen into a tie with Los Angeles Kings for third, by 14 points but the Knights do have three games against the Canucks remaining and two games in hand but must win tonight at T-Mobile Arena.
Oddsmaker opened Vegas -113 with a total of 6 (over -115) but there has been plenty of movement since. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT and can be seen on SCRIPPS. Let’s start our Canucks vs Knights betting preview with a look at Vancouver from a betting perspective.
Canucks vs Golden Knights 
Day/Time:
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise
Streaming: SCRIPPS
Canucks Have Bigger Problems
In a few short years it would come as a shock to most Golden Knights fans that the hockey universe does not revolve around them but for as big as this hockey match-up is for the golden ones, the Vancouver Canucks are way more worried about the Edmonton Oilers who have four games in hand and one head to head meeting left.
The Canucks own a 9-point lead as of today but have a more difficult schedule down the stretch than the Oilers who will enjoy games against the Ducks, Sharks, and Blue Jackets along with two against the Coyotes. This game could also be the home to various fireworks that may go off prematurely before the Friday trade deadline.
The Canucks will be looking to upgrade with a top-six forward and that may be in the form of the Pittsburgh Penguins Jake Guentzel (22G, 30A, 52 points) who will be a UFA after the hockey season according to the NHL rumor mill. That makes tonight’s game spicier because you can bet that the Vegas Golden Knights are also involved.
As of right now, we have the Canucks 10th in our NHL rankings and fifth in the West but certainly a Cup contender. The reason we have them at 10th has much to do with a recent form that shows the Canucks just 7-8 over their last 15 games, losing 3.02 units of profit for bettors, 23rd in the NHL.
Vegas Won’t Go Away Quietly
No matter how many other fan bases want to cry foul with the perceived manipulation of the injured reserve list, the fact is the Knights are banged up and the recent injury to Jack Eichel and the current one to Mark Stone are very real.
The Dallas Cowboys of the NHL are going to have to scramble to make an impact at the deadline and they already started by acquiring Anthony Mantha (20G, 14A, 34 points) from the Detroit Red Wings. The real prize will come if they can get their hands on Guentzel after losing out on Tarasenko.
If the Knights can find a way to get the Penguins star, then they’re in a position to make a deep run in the postseason no matter where they finish in the standings. There is a spirit about this organization that was created from various elements of their early existence.
You can bet this Vegas culture will not go quietly which is why the oddsmakers have made the defending champions a favorite. The Golden Knights are just 4-8 in their last 12 games (-4.12) but know the T-Mobile Arena will be rocking in what is the most important game to date on their schedule. We conclude our Canucks vs Knights betting preview with our official selection.
Predictable Betting Patterns Early
There was no way the Vancouver was not going to get the early money with bookmakers giving canucks bettors a generous -107 to open. That has been bet up to -110 but look for Vancouver to be the favorite when the puck is dropped.
We’ve been doing this long enough to think that’s exactly what the books want. The total has moved to 6 (under -115) after opening 6 (over -115). We usually jump on a total because that’s the bankroll-friendly option but this one is going the way of the Golden Knights and you can see it coming a mile away, especially if Guentzel or a NHL player of his caliber becomes a Golden Knight.
Part of gambling is so much about psychology and you can bet the Knights will have the mental edge to start. Vegas is our official selection but wait as long as you can because the number will get better for most. All the best with your Thursday NHL picks and parlays.
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