Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks Game Preview

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The Honda Center will be the site for an enticing matchup as the Vancouver Canucks visit Anaheim to meet the Ducks. The first puck will drop at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 21, and fans at home can watch this divisional matchup live on Sportsnet.

Vancouver Canucks at Anaheim Ducks Odds

Vancouver is 10-13 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. 12 of its outings have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. As an away team in 2018-19, the Nucks are 5-9 SU.

Vancouver has converted on 19.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 77.9 percent of its penalties.

Vancouver, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game this season, 4.8 per game over its last five contests total, and 4.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays an unhealthy 14.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.

Averaging 29.9 saves per game with a .897 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (7-9-2) has been the best option in goal for Vancouver this year. If Vancouver chooses to rest him, however, head coach Travis Green might go with Anders Nilsson (3-3 record, .912 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).

Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Canucks. Pettersson (19 points) has tallied 12 goals and seven assists, and has recorded two or more points in four different games. Horvat has 10 goals and nine assists to his nameand has notched at least one point in 13 games.

On the other bench, Anaheim is 8-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 22 regular season matches, 14 of its games have gone under the total, while seven have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 5-8 SU at home this season.

Anaheim has converted on just 15.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.8 percent of all opponent power plays.

Anaheim players have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game this season, 4.4 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

John Gibson (31.9 saves per game) has been the top option in the crease for Anaheim. Gibson has six wins, 11 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit and has registered a .928 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average this season.

The home team offense will be led by Ryan Getzlaf (five goals, nine assists).

Vancouver Canucks at Anaheim Ducks Betting Predictions

Pick: SU Winner – Ducks, O/U – Over

Betting Trends

  • The total has gone under in three of Anaheim’s last five games.
  • The Canucks are 3-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 4-6 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total.
  • Two of Anaheim’s past 10 contests have gone to a shootout. The team’s 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
  • Anaheim has managed 3.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.5 takeaways per game (ranked 28th).
  • Vancouver has scored just 2.2 goals per game (while allowing 4.3) over its last six games (0-6 SU over that span).
  • Vancouver is ranked 14th in the NHL this season with 7.6 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has forced 5.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.4 takeaways over its last five.