The Vancouver Canucks (+100) will be looking to build on their winning run when they host the Minnesota Wild (-120) at Rogers Arena on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -115, U: -105)Minnesota (13-11-2) is wrapping up a four-game road trip with the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 5-2 loss against the Oilers yesterday.
The Wild took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on five shots, while also conceding two power play goals. Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello each scored once for the Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury only had 33 saves on 37 shots against (.891%) in the loss.
Vancouver (12-12-3) won their third in a row, beating the Sharks 6-5 (OT) on Wednesday. Dakota Joshua was the leading goal scorer for the Canucks, netting twice. Spencer Martin only stopped 34 of 39 shots (.871%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Wild won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-3 (OT) victory in October, their sixth straight win against Vancouver. Zuccarello (2G 1A) and Kirill Kaprizov (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Minnesota. Joshua and Nils Aman each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Vancouver. Fleury got the win despite saving only 23 of 26 shots (.884%).
FACING OFF
Minnesota is averaging 3.08 goals per game for the season, 18th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canucks team that is allowing 3.89 goals a game (29th). Meanwhile, Vancouver has found the net 3.59 times a game on average, sixth in the league, and the Wild are allowing opponents to score 3.19 goals per game (18th).
Power play opportunities are likely to be plentiful for the Canucks, as the Wild are averaging 4.85 penalties per game, fourth-most in the NHL. The visitors’ 12.96 penalty minutes a game ranks first-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.07 times a game (16th) for an average of 11.41 minutes (8th).
The Canucks’ 28.12% power play percentage ranks sixth in the league, while the Wild are 10th with a conversion rate of 24.42%. Vancouver has been poor at penalty killing, as the home team owns the league’s fourth-lowest PK% at 68.67%. Minnesota’s 78.16% ranks 17th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 34 points this season, Kaprizov is the top skater for the Wild. He is among the league leaders with 17 goals (7th) and has added 17 assists. In the net, Filip Gustavsson (4-4-1) is Minnesota’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.75 GAA and a .909% save percentage. Fleury (9-6-1) leads the Wild in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.10 and a save percentage of .892%.
Elias Pettersson leads the Canucks in scoring with 34 points (10th in the league). He has 13 goals and 21 assists in 27 games. Martin (8-2-1) has the best goals against average for Vancouver at 3.48.
He has a save percentage of .890%. Thatcher Demko (3-10-2) has played the most games in net for the Canucks this season. He has a 3.93 GAA and a .883% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 6-5-1 on the road this season. Vancouver is 5-6-1 at Rogers Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Wild are 3-0 without a day off and 2-0 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Canucks are 1-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Vancouver Canucks (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
