Ask hockey fans what they most like to see when it comes to matchups and you are likely to get a variety of different answers. Old school fans probably still get a kick out of games between the Original Sic teams, while others like the divisional matchups that have such a big impact on how the playoff picture takes shape over the course of the 82-game season. There are also some fans who probably enjoy when teams from different conferences square off, simply because we don’t get to see those matchups very often.
Non-conference games can serve as a nice little break from the grind of divisional and conference play, and while it is fun to see these games on the schedule, it’s still worth remembering that they are important in the grand scheme of things. The Vancouver Canucks will have a non-conference game on Thursday night when they head down to Florida to face the Panthers. The Canucks are in a playoff fight in the Western Conference, while the Panthers are in the thick of it in the East. It is the Panthers who are favored by 1 ½ at home, with the goal total set at 6 ½.
Canucks vs Panthers 2020 NHL Odds, Game Info & Prediction
- When: Thursday, January 9 at 7 PM EST
- Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Florida Panthers -1.5 (Total 6.5)
Why bet on the Vancouver Canucks?
The Vancouver Canucks are one of five teams that has a legitimate shot at winning the Pacific Division this season, and while they are at the bottom of that group of 5, they are still just 4 points back of the Arizona Coyotes in first. While the Canucks are coming off a loss, they have still been very good of late, winning 7 of their last 10 games.If the Canucks are to work their way to the top of the division, they are going to need to do better on the road, where they are just 9-11-1 this season, although they have managed to cover the spread in 13 of those 21 road games. The canucks absolutely blasted Florida when they met in Vancouver earlier this season, winning that one 7-2. They are now 4-2 SU in their last 6 meetings with the Panthers.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.33
- Shots: 31.28
- PP/PK Percentage: 24.68
Defense
- Goals: 3.12
- Shots: 32.65
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.72
Why bet on the Florida Panthers?
The Florida Panthers are in a division where there are 3 very good teams dominating the proceedings at the top, which is why they are currently trying to work their way into a playoff spot while sitting in 4th in the Atlantic Division. Overall, the Panthers are sitting at 22-16-5, good for 49 points on the season.
That has them below the playoff line right now, but well within reach, as they are just 3 points back of the final spot in the Eastern Conference. Florida is currently 13-8-2 at home, but they have not been a great bet against the spread in their own building, going 10-13 ATS in those games. They have had success against teams from the West, though, posting a 7-4-2 record in non-conference games.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.56
- Shots: 33.35
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.46
Defense
- Goals: 3.40
- Shots: 31.81
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.12
Canucks vs Panthers 2020 NHL Betting Trends
- Canucks are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games against an opponent in the Atlantic division
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver’s last 6 games on the road
- Panthers are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games played on a Thursday
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Florida’s last 15 games against an opponent in the West conference
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Canucks vs Panthers
The first meeting between these two produced a ton of goals and I think we are likely to see more of the same here, which is why I think that the OVER is the way to go in this one. I am also taking the Canucks to come up with the win.Score: Vancouver Canucks 5 – Florida Panthers 3
