The Vancouver Canucks sacrificed goalie Casey DeSmith yesterday who allowed eight goals in the 10-7 loss to Minnesota. That’s because they had to travel to altitude today and take on the Colorado Avalanche who are 2-5 SU in their last seven.
Bettors should expect a better response from the Canucks, who still lead the league in point percentage and goal differential and will have Thatcher Demko between the pipes. However, the Avs have been the best home team in hockey this year and have the schedule advantage.
After an embarrassing collapse yesterday, the Canucks should come out strong and early scoring should be expected with the No.1 first-period home offense facing the No,1 first-period road offense.
I break down the NHL odds and offer my free NHL picks for Canucks vs. Avalanche for Tuesday, February 20.
Canucks vs Avalanche odds
Canucks vs Avalanche predictions
The Vancouver Canucks have the best first-period team in hockey and have won the 3-way 1P moneyline in 26 of 57 games on the year. This is also a team that gave up six unanswered goals to the Wild yesterday to erase a 5-2 lead, so a hot start should be expected from the visitors tonight.
The Colorado Avalanche are also an early-scoring team with 60 first-period goals across 56 games, which is tied for the third-most in hockey. On the season, Vancouver is averaging 1.97 1P goals while the Avs are seeing even more at 2.1 per opening frame.
With a tough trip to altitude coupled with an epic loss yesterday afternoon, I expect the Canucks to find the score sheet early but also struggle to keep the Avs off the board.
Both teams to score a goal in the first frame is paying +145. Since the break, Colorado has hit this prop in six of eight games, including three in a row, while Vancouver has potted a 1P goal in six of eight first frames.
With the 1P Over 1.5 paying -150, I’m betting on the No.1 home 1P offense and the No.1 1P road offense to tally markers in the first 20 minutes for solid plus money.
My best bet: Both teams to score in the first period (+145 at SIA)
Canucks vs Avalanche same-game parlay
BTTS in first period
Over 6.5
This is a game between two of the most profitable Over teams that also score earlier than any other team in hockey.
It's been impossible to slow down Nathan MacKinnon at home this year as he has a point in each of his 26 home matches this year and Vancouver has such scoring depth on its top two lines that the Avs will struggle to match up even with the last change.
Both power plays could also be busy as each club is taking penalties at a Top-10 rate over the last 30 days which is great news for the Over as both PKs have been average at best over that same stretch.
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Canucks vs Avalanche moneyline and Over/Under analysis
Colorado opened at -150 on the moneyline and has moved to -145, likely on bettors expecting a bounce-back effort from the Canucks after a humiliating loss yesterday. The Over is starting to take money and it’s understandable with both clubs being very profitable to the Over on the season.
Tonight is an interesting spot for the Avalanche, who have the best home record in hockey at 21-5 and have the schedule advantage with the Canucks playing yesterday.
Colorado exited the All-Star break with a 1-5 straight-up road trip but came home and beat the Yotes 4-3 on Sunday. MacKinnon has recorded a point in each of his 26 home games to begin the year, which is the second-longest run in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky’s 40 straight home games in 1988-89.
It’s a tough turnaround for the Canucks to go to altitude with no days off. They do own one of the best road records at 18-9-4 and yesterday’s collapse will likely instill a better effort tonight, but going to Colorado is never a good thing.
Colorado won the only meeting back in November 5-2 at home where Thatcher Demko stopped just 20 of 24 shots.
Looking at 5-on-5 play over the last 30 days, Vancouver is the much better team as the Avs’ xGA/60 ranks in the bottom five of the league. However, both offenses can handle some goals against and it’s a big reason both clubs have been very profitable to the Over this year. Combined, Vancouver and Colorado are 67-41-5 to the Over.
Neither penalty kills are dominating over the last 30 days and Vancouver has given up six power-play goals over its last two games. With both teams taking penalties at Top-10 rates over the last 30 days, each PP could see ample opportunities tonight which favors the Over.
I think if bettors got on this Over 6.5 at -115 or -120 they would close with the better number. Each offense can pot three goals here and both teams are perfect Over teams as they each have great offenses that can erase early deficits. With projected early scoring, I’m getting on this Over 6.5 at -120, as well.
Canucks vs Avalanche betting trend to know
The Avalanche have hit the 1P Over in 58 of their last 90 games (+14.40 Units / 11% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Avalanche.
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Canucks vs Avalanche game info
| Location: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date: | Tuesday, February 20, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SNP, ALT |
Canucks vs Avalanche latest injuries
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