The set-up: Vancouver enters off a 7-2 home loss to the Sharks, while the Ducks are off a 6-2 road loss in Philly. These are two teams desperate for victories and with each expected to push the pace from start to finish, I look for this total to blast past the number sooner, rather than later. Vancouver is 12-18 on the road, averaging 2.67 goals and allowing 3.17 in those contests. Canucks' goaltender Jacob Markstrom is 9-12 on the road with a 2.93 GAA. After losing four of its last five, clearly Vancouver won't be holding anything back today. And neither will Anaheim, which has lost seven straight, getting outscored 37-8 in the process. Ducks' net minder John Gibson is 9-13 with a 2.83 GAA at home.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Vancouver has seen the total go "over" the number in eight of its last 12 vs. the division, while Anaheim has seen the total go "over" in nine of its last 13 when playing with three or more days rest. For all the reasons listed above, play the "over."

10* play