November was a disastrous month for the Canucks , as the team went just 3-9.
Enter December. Vancouver hasn’t lost since the month began, which means John Tortorella is still a ways away from hurling a chair onto the ice. The Canucks and four more teams make up this week’s list.
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Top 5 NHL Teams to Bet On:
Team
Trend
Vancouver Canucks
5-0 in last 5 games
LA Kings
Totals in last 9 games: 1-4-4
Boston Bruins
5-1 in last 6 games
Chicago Blackhawks
4-1 OVER in last 5 games
Pittsburgh Penguins
6-0 in last 6 home games
1. Vancouver Canucks
Trend: 5-0 in last 5 games
Next Games: vs. EDM, vs. BOS, @MIN
John Tortorella got his boys all fired up as evidenced by their five-game winning streak. Their recent victims include the Coyotes (3-2 OT) and the Avalanche (3-1).
Goalies Roberto Luongo and Eddie Lack have not allowed more than two goals in a game during that successful stretch. Their last win indicated even more promise as Lack, a backup goalie, recorded the Canucks’ first shutout in his home debut.
2. Los Angeles Kings
Trend: Totals in last 9 games: 1-4-4
Next Games: @TOR, @OTT, @CHI
Not long ago, the Kings went on a tear in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to win the franchise’s first league title. Much of it was because of the impeccable performance of 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy winner and Kings’ goalie, Jonathan Quick. [sc:NHL250 ]
Quick is presently on the injured list, but Los Angeles seemed to have found a Vezina Trophy candidate to replace him in Ben Scrivens. Scrivens is No.1 in the NHL in save percentage with .943. The Kings have gone OVER just once in their last nine games.
3. Boston Bruins
Trend: 5-1 in last 6 games
Next Games: @CAL, @EDM, @VAN
Losses are a rarity for the Bruins these days.
They’re coming off a 2-1 victory at Calgary to improve their winning streak to three games, which started with a 3-2 victory over the Metropolitan Division’s top team, the Penguins. Looking further back, Boston is 5-1 in its last 6 games.
4. Chicago Blackhawks
Trend: 4-1 OVER in last 5 games
Next Games: vs. PHI, @TOR, vs. LA
The Blackhawks’ six-game winning streak was snapped last week when the Stars edged them, 4-3. It was followed by two more losses to the Wild and Ducks. If anything, Chicago’s offense isn’t to blame.
Despite the string of losses, Chicago has topped the Goals For department in the last five games by putting up 3.8 goals a game. The Blackhawks stopped their skid by tormenting the Panthers Tuesday night, 6-2. They are 4-1 OVER in their last five games.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Trend: 6-0 in last 6 home games
Next Games: vs. NJ, @DET, vs. TOR
The Penguins took care of Columbus on Monday to extend their home winning streak to six games.
Evgeni Malkin returned to action in that game after missing two. Pittsburgh is doing great at both ends of the ice, as they are sixth overall in goals per game with 3.0 while holding opponents to 2.2 goals a game.
