Two of the hottest teams in the NHL meet at PPG Paints Arena as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
The Canucks will be playing their fifth road game in eight nights, and they’re cruising along on a 12-3-2 run that includes three consecutive wins on the highway. It’s a similar story for the Penguins, and they enter with an active 9-3-1 record over their last 13 overall. That includes a 5-2 mark in their own building.
Pittsburgh is a short home favorite in the NHL odds for the marquee matchup, and here’s our breakdown and free NHL picks for the Canucks vs. Penguins matchup on Thursday, January 11.
Canucks vs Penguins odds
Canucks vs Penguins predictions
Handicapping when a heater turns cool, and in the case of the Vancouver Canucks, when their league-best puck luck runs dry, can be tough. That said, I think the rubber meets the road on Thursday.
Vancouver has the highest 5-on-5 shooting percentage (12.5%) and PDO (105.2) in the league, and the Canucks boast even more unsustainably high 15.4 and 107.2 marks during their 12-3-2 run since December 1. It’s translated into a league-high 4.02 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 despite generating the 16th-most expected goals per 60 (2.5).
Additionally, the Canucks are ripe for a letdown showing in the middle of a seven-game road trip. The tipping point Thursday is that the Pittsburgh Penguins are also in top form, and they’re also back to being at full health.
Pittsburgh ranks second in xGF per 60 (3.13) and ninth in both goals (2.78) and Corsi For percentage (53.1) at 5-on-5 during the noted 9-3-1 stretch. The power play is finally starting to click, too. The Pens sported a 30th-ranked 9.5 PP% through the first 26 games of the season but have turned it on to the tune of a 21.8% mark over the past 13 contests.
My best bet: Penguins moneyline (-125 at SIA)
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Canucks vs Penguins same-game parlay
Penguins moneyline
Canucks +2.5
Each team Over 1.5 goals
I’m anticipating this being a close game, and the Vancouver offense isn’t going to suddenly disappear.
As highlighted, the Canucks and Penguins are both in the midst of strong runs, and while the Pittsburgh surge would appear more sustainable statistically, Vancouver continues to fill the net at a league-high rate. As a result, I don’t expect the Pens to pull away and win by three goals or more.
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Canucks vs Penguins moneyline and Over/Under analysis
This moneyline hasn’t moved at SIA, with Pittsburgh remaining at the opening -125. While there have been minor adjustments at other sportsbooks, the Penguins are a consensus short home favorite, and I’m not anticipating any major moves in the market leading into puck drop.
It’s a similar story with the total. There’s a consensus 6.5 number across the board, and the Over is carrying the higher vig as of Thursday morning. Again, I doubt we see any notable adjustments in the total.
Canucks vs Penguins betting trend to know
Pittsburgh has won seven of its past nine games, and five of its last seven at PPG Paints Arena. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Penguins.
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Canucks vs Penguins game info
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date: | Thursday, January 11, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, SportsNet-Pittsburgh |
Canucks vs Penguins latest injuries
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