Vancouver Canucks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
When: Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Vancouver Canucks (+215) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-235); total: 5.5 – view all NHL lines
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Moneyline: +215
The Canucks’ playoff chances took another hit on Saturday with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in Boston. They bounced back with a 4-2 victory in Buffalo the next day, however, and will be looking to get another win on the road later tonight in Pittsburgh, where Vancouver is 5-3 in its last eight trips there.
Up against a Pittsburgh’s giant offense, the Canucks will have to find a way to slow down the Pens’ attack. The Canucks are just 19th in the league on defense, allowing 2.8 goals per game.
Ryan Miller is likely going to be called upon to stay in front of the net for the Canucks. Miller had a bad night in the Boston loss, allowing four goals on 30 shots faced. It hasn’t been a fantastic month for the 36-year-old netminder, as Miller is 1-3 with a 3.52 GAA and .896 SV% in four starts thus far this February.
Bob Horvat needs extra help on offense. Horvat leads the team with 38 points and 17 goals, numbers that won’t get him to the top of most other team’s scoring leadership. Daniel Sedin is second on the team with 11 goals and paces the Canucks in assists with 23.
Betting on the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-13-7)
Moneyline: -255
The Penguins have the deadliest offense in the NHL and it could even be deadlier later tonight if Evgeni Malkin finally makes a comeback from a lengthy absence due to a knee injury.
Malkin hasn’t played since a 3-0 loss to St. Louis on Jan. 24. Pittsburgh has gone 4-1-2 since, outscoring opponents during that stretch, 24-18. With or without Malkin, however, the Penguins have enough firepower to rattle a mediocre Vancouver defense. Pittsburgh does a fine job of winning the possession battle this season, as it is 10th in shot attempts percentage. Conversely, Vancouver is just 21st with a 48.61 clip. Furthermore, the Pens are first in the NHL with a 24-5-4 this season when they outshoot opponents.
Expect the Penguins’ offense to be particularly active in the third period, where they have scored 72 goals thus far this season. That doesn’t sound comforting for the Canucks, who have allowed 64 third period goals—third most in the league.
Pittsburgh is 8-2 in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Pittsburgh (-235) wins, 5-2.
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