If we have learned anything from the past seasons in the NHL, it’s that we have a pretty good idea of what it takes to get into the playoffs. It’s certainly not an exact science by any stretch of the imagination but history has shown us that 95 points on the season is the number that needs to be hit to make the postseason more often than not. Of course, some teams will hit a higher point total and miss out, while others will fall short of that mark and still make it in. That said, the 95-point mark is one that tends to hold fairly true, and if that is to be the case again this season, then there are a few teams who have some work to do if they want to be playing hockey beyond the end of the regular season. The Arizona Coyotes are one of the teams that needs to pick up the pace if they hope to get in, as they are currently sliding in the wrong direction. The Vancouver Canucks are one of the teams they need to catch, so this matchup is huge. The Canucks are favored by 1 ½ on home ice, with the goal total set at 5 ½. Let’s see how the NHL odds will be for the Coyotes vs Canucks.
Coyotes vs Canucks 2020 NHL Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Wednesday, March 4 at 10:30 PM EST
- Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver
- TV: ESPN+
- NHL Odds: Vancouver Canucks -1.5 / Total 5.5
BIG GAME. pic.twitter.com/G5X37SFi3T
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) March 4, 2020
Why bet on the Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes have spent a large portion of the season sitting in a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but the last couple of months have turned into a grind that has seen them hit a poor run of form at the wrong time. The Coyotes are now 32-27-8 on the season, with their 72 points leaving them 2 points back of the final Wild Card spot in the West. Arizona are coming into this one on the heels of a win, a victory that took them over the .500 mark in the last 10 games, where they are 5-4-1. The Coyotes will face Vancouver, who sit 2 points ahead of them, 3 more times, including this one, between now and the end of the season. They lost 3-1 in Vancouver earlier this year and are 15-15-4 on the road.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.79
- Shots: 31.46
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.42
- Goals: 2.66
- Shots: 32.22
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.02
Why bet on the Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are in possession of one of the Wild Card spots in the Western Conference, but they will not be there for long if they cannot find a way to pull themselves out of their current slump. The Canucks have lost 3 in a row and are just 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, which is not the sort of form any teams wants when battling for a playoff spot. On the positive side of things, Vancouver has been fantastic at home this season, going 20-7-4 in their own building. They have also been good versus teams from the West, winning 12 of their last 17 against conference foes. In their last 12 games versus Arizona, the UNDER has hit 8 times.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.29
- Shots: 31.2
- PP/PK Percentage: 23.89
- Goals: 3.14
- Shots: 33.08
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.1
Coyotes vs Canucks NHL Betting Trends
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Arizona’s last 10 games.
- Arizona are 6-12 SU in their last 18 games.
- Arizona are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against Vancouver.
- Arizona are 1-10 SU in their last 11 games on the road.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Vancouver’s last 7 games.
- Vancouver are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Vancouver’s last 12 games against Arizona.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver’s last 6 games at home.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver’s last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona.
Coyotes vs Canucks Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
I think we are looking at a tight battle where scoring is at a premium with this one. I would not be surprised to see this one head into OT, where I think the Coyotes might just snatch the extra point. That said, I think the UNDER is the way to go here.
Arizona Coyotes 3 Vancouver Canucks 2
