The Canucks stock is way too high after picking up points in three straight games and in four of their last five games. Vancouver is coming off a 4-3 OT win over the Islanders but it’s worth pointing out that the Canucks were down 2-0 in that game and got outshot, 34-23. It’s also worth noting that the Islanders have allowed more shots on net than any team in the NHL over the past five weeks so the 23 that the Canucks were able to muster is concerning. With a healthy lineup, the Canucks ranked 26th in xGF/60 but with Brock Boeser joining Sven Baertschi and Loui Eriksson on the rack, the Canucks already challenged offense takes another big hit. Vancouver is coming off three OT games in a row which followed a three-game trip through Vegas, Arizona and Colorado while losing three key players along the way. The Canucks have weak goaltending and they’re showing signs of having little in the tank. The Canucks need to recharge and this looks like the game in which they’re likely to take a breather in, as they can’t play spolier to a team that isn’t going to the playoffs and they have no score to settle with this invader either.
The Coyotes have a score to settle. Arizona hosted Vancouver on February 25th and lost 3-1 after outshooting the Canucks, 42-25. They skated circles around the Canucks and much of that was because the Yotes had six PP opportunities. However, that’s not usual for the Canucks, as they have the second worst penalty differential over the past five weeks. Aside from that, the Coyotes are playing at a very high level. It may surprise you to learn that Arizona has picked up points in 17 of 24 games since January 4. They have cut down on scoring chances against and they are ranked 15th in 5v5 Score and Venue Adjusted Corsi For % over the past five weeks. The ‘Yotes have better goaltending than Vancouver, they’re healthier and in a great state of mind, they’re in better form with better analytics than the Canucks yet they’re priced like the opposite is true. That’s wrong.
Good writeup. I was just thinking these teams were basically equal so there was value on the Coyotes, but you had much better reasoning here.
Hot Forum Topics
