The Vancouver Canucks (-130) head to face the Anaheim Ducks (+110) at Honda Center on Sunday. The total is 6.5 (O: -120, U: +100)Vancouver (30-33-5) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 3-2 shootout win over the Kings yesterday.
The Canucks committed only two penalties in the game, holding Los Angeles without a power play goal. Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser each scored once for the Canucks. J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes both had two assists to lead the team in scoring.
Thatcher Demko had a great performance with 38 saves (.950%) in the win. Anaheim (23-36-10) beat the Blue Jackets 7-4 on Friday. Scott Harrington scored twice to lead the Ducks. Lukas Dostal stopped only 38 of 42 shots (.904%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Canucks have won both games between the teams this season, including a 3-2 (OT) victory in their most recent meeting on March 8. Miller (2G 0A) and Pettersson (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Vancouver. Brock McGinn and Troy Terry were on the scoresheet for Anaheim. Demko got the win, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909%).
FACING OFF
Vancouver is averaging 3.32 goals per game for the season, 11th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Ducks team that is allowing 4.03 goals a game (32nd).
Meanwhile, Anaheim has found the net 2.59 times a game on average, 31st in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Canucks’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.75 goals per game (29th).
Anaheim averages fewer shots per game (28.8) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 9.2% shooting percentage is 29th. Vancouver has struggled with stopping shots, ranking No. 32 with a team save percentage of .884%.
Expect multiple power play opportunities for the Canucks, as the Ducks have been penalized 4.41 times a game, fifth-most in the NHL, for an average of 11.22 minutes (fifth-highest). The visitors are averaging 3.65 penalties (18th) and 9.07 penalty minutes a game (12th).
The Ducks will be looking to build on their 31st-ranked power play percentage of 15.54% against the Canucks, who are the league’s weakest penalty killing team (69.00%).
Vancouver, meanwhile, has scored on 22.57% of their power play opportunities (11th), which the away team will be aiming to improve on against Anaheim’s 29th-ranked 72.61% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 86 points this season, 10th-most in the NHL, Pettersson is the top skater for the Canucks. He is among the league leaders with 54 assists (10th) and has added 32 goals of his own. In the net, Demko (9-12-2) is Vancouver’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.32 GAA and a .898% save percentage.
Spencer Martin (11-15-1) leads the Canucks in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.99 and a save percentage of .871%. Trevor Zegras leads the Ducks in scoring with 58 points. He has 22 goals and 36 assists.
Anthony Stolarz (5-6-0) has the best goals against average for Anaheim at 3.73. He has a save percentage of .897%. John Gibson (14-25-8) has played the most games in net for the Ducks this season. He has a 3.90 GAA and a .901% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Vancouver is 14-16-4 on the road this season. Anaheim is 12-17-3 at Honda Center this season. Meanwhile, the Canucks are 5-5 without a day off and 4-3 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Ducks are 8-6 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Vancouver Canucks (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
