In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks and the Vancouver Canucks clash at Rogers Arena for a Pacific Division tilt. The match gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, and you’ll be able to catch it live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver (+105) is entering this one as the underdog to Anaheim (-125), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -135 for the under and +115 for the over.
Anaheim is 18-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. 25 of its contests have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Ducks team is 8-11 SU on the road.
Anaheim has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Ducks have been called for penalties 4.5 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 2.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 30.1 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, John Gibson (13-18-5) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim this season. If Anaheim chooses to rest him, however, head coach Randy Carlyle could turn to Ryan Miller (4-6-4 record, .928 save percentage, 2.23 goals against average).
Rickard Rakell and Adam Henrique will both lead the way for the visiting Ducks. Rakell (29 points) is up to 14 goals and 15 assists, and has recorded multiple points in seven different games. Henrique has eight goals and 14 assists to his name (and has logged a point in 17 games).
Over on the other bench, Vancouver is 16-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 23 of its matches have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the teams 7-14 SU as the home team.
The Canucks have converted on 21.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver players have been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jacob Markstrom has stopped 26.5 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for the Canucks. Markstrom has 10 wins, 18 losses, and four overtime losses and has maintained a mediocre 2.79 goals against average and a poor .906 save percentage this year.
Brock Boeser (21 goals, 17 assists) will pace the attack for the Nucks.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Vancouver Canucks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Anaheim (2-4 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Vancouver came up short in both of its shootouts this year.
- The over has hit in four of Vancouver’s last five outings.
- Seven of Vancouver’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 1-6 overall in those games.
- Anaheim skaters have given out the leagues eighth-most hits per game (23.3).
