Two teams that split their head-to-head series (one game apiece) a year ago, the Vancouver Canucks and the Florida Panthers face off at the BB&T Center for an East-West matchup. Sportsnet Pacific will air the game, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 6.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Florida (+125) is entering this one as the underdog to Florida (-145), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-145 money on the under, +125 on the over).
The Panthers are 22-28 straight up (SU) and have lost 5.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team posted during last years regular season (35-47). Among the teams 50 games this season, 27 have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the teams 12-11 SU at home.
Florida has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places the team in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
Florida, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.6 times per game overall this season, and 5.8 per game over its past ten contests. The teams had to kill penalties for a whopping 20.2 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Sporting a .911 save percentage and 27.7 saves per game, James Reimer (13-19-5) has been the top option in goal for the Panthers this season. If they, however, choose to give him the night off, Florida could roll with Roberto Luongo (6-9-9 record, .928 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average).
Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck will both be focal points for the Panthers. Huberdeau (51 points) has tallied 18 goals and 33 assists and has recorded multiple points in 11 different games this year. Trocheck has 18 goals and 29 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 35 games.
Vancouver is 21-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 30 of its outings have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and none have pushed. As a road team so far, Vancouver is 11-14 SU.
Vancouver has scored on 21.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver’s players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five road outings. The teams had to kill penalties just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (.907 save percentage and 2.76 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.2 saves per game and has 15 wins, 24 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canucks will be Brock Boeser, who has 25 goals and 21 assists this season.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Florida Panthers Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of Florida’s last five games.
- Vancouver has managed 29.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 33.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- The Panthers are 6-13 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-16 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes.
- Vancouver is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Florida is 2-3 in shootouts.
- Florida is ranked 7th in the league with 8.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down, however, as the team has created 7.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Vancouver skaters have averaged 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 5.9 takeaways per game (ranked 27th).
