PREMIUM
Rogers' PUCK LINE PUNISHER >> SIZZLING 102-79-1 Run!
(NHL) Vancouver vs. Anaheim,
Point Spread: 1.50 | -140.00 Vancouver (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 1.50 | -140.00 Vancouver (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Anaheim Ducks have dropped outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference in the wake of a three-game losing streak. The 34-24-12 Ducks have 80 points and were on a nine-game point streak at home prior to Monday's 4-2 loss to St. Louis, which dropped them below the top eight teams in the West and behind third-place Los Angeles in the Pacific Division. The Ducks hope to get back on track tonight when they welcome the 25-36-9 Vancouver Canucks to the Honda Center. Vancouver limps in having lost all four games since rookie sensation Brock Boeser suffered a back injury. The Canucks have been shut out in back-to-back contests and have managed only three goals during the four-game slide since Boeser and his 29 goals were lost for at least a month.
Vancouver: The Canucks' 59 points are better than only Arizona (57) and Buffalo (56) in the entire league. Clearly, the absence of Boeser has stalled the offense and head coach Travis Green acknowledged the team's psyche has been dented by the lack of scoring. "It's going to weigh on them," Green said. Daniel Sedin is second on the team with 47 points (Boeser leads with 55) but has cooled off with one assist in the last five games. His brother Henrik has 43 points, although just two goals.
Anaheim: The Ducks are also struggling to put the puck in the net, having scored just five times during the team's three-game slide. Forward Ondrej Kase (17 goals & 31 points) is in a 'deep freeze,' having been held off the scoresheet in 10 straight contests, following a stretch in which he pumped in six goals in seven games. Center Ryan Getzlaf (10 goals & 51 points) registered an assist in the loss to St. Louis and is riding a six-game point streak, collecting a pair of goals and 11 assists in that span. The Ducks' leading goal scorer is Rickard Rakel (31 goals).
The pick: Anaheim has won its last three meetings over Vancouver by a combined 13-2 margin but entering this game, neither team is scoring. With leading scorer Brock Boeser sidelined for the rest of the season with a back injury, the Canucks lack the offensive depth to threaten playoff contenders. Anaheim is clearly a playoff contender but I'm far from confident after the team's latest efforts. Take the 1 1/2 goals and make Vancouver an 8* play.
Vancouver: The Canucks' 59 points are better than only Arizona (57) and Buffalo (56) in the entire league. Clearly, the absence of Boeser has stalled the offense and head coach Travis Green acknowledged the team's psyche has been dented by the lack of scoring. "It's going to weigh on them," Green said. Daniel Sedin is second on the team with 47 points (Boeser leads with 55) but has cooled off with one assist in the last five games. His brother Henrik has 43 points, although just two goals.
Anaheim: The Ducks are also struggling to put the puck in the net, having scored just five times during the team's three-game slide. Forward Ondrej Kase (17 goals & 31 points) is in a 'deep freeze,' having been held off the scoresheet in 10 straight contests, following a stretch in which he pumped in six goals in seven games. Center Ryan Getzlaf (10 goals & 51 points) registered an assist in the loss to St. Louis and is riding a six-game point streak, collecting a pair of goals and 11 assists in that span. The Ducks' leading goal scorer is Rickard Rakel (31 goals).
The pick: Anaheim has won its last three meetings over Vancouver by a combined 13-2 margin but entering this game, neither team is scoring. With leading scorer Brock Boeser sidelined for the rest of the season with a back injury, the Canucks lack the offensive depth to threaten playoff contenders. Anaheim is clearly a playoff contender but I'm far from confident after the team's latest efforts. Take the 1 1/2 goals and make Vancouver an 8* play.
