NHL Betting: Vancouver Canucks at Phoenix Coyotes

Mar 13, 2008 | By Scott Burgess | Picks Articles Archive

The Canucks look to rebound with a road win in Phoenix tonight. In a tightly packed Northwest Division the Canucks are on the inside looking out while the Coyotes sit five points back and looking in. SBG Global.com is leaning towards Phoenix as -135 favorites over the Canucks with the over/under set at 5.

Bet this NHL Pick at SBG Global.com

GAME: Vancouver Canucks (35-25-1-9) at Phoenix Coyotes (35-30-1-4)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, March 13 - 10:00 PM EST
LINE: SBG Global TOTAL: 5
PICK: Phoenix -135

The Coyotes sit in 10th in the West just five points back of Vancouver in the playoff chase. They are hungry for their first playoff appearance since 2002. Coming off a huge win against Anaheim they are sure to be pumped. Phoenix rallied from a two-goal, second-period deficit and Radim Vrbata netted the lone shootout goal as the Coyotes improved to 1-2-0 on their five-game homestead. Shane Doan has proven successful lately scoring a goal in four of the last five games after a seven-game goal drought and he has two goals and five assists in his last five games against the Canucks. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has three wins in his last five games for a 2.2 GAA and he’s fresh off of three games against teams that were offensive power houses. They’ve only been able to average 1.80 GAG in their last five, but that was against above average teams. The Coyotes won’t have to worry about the Canucks offense, they don’t have any.

The Canucks lost ugly last night to the Ducks 4-1 as 115-moneyline roaddogs. Goalie Roberto Luongo was pulled at 4:03 of the second period after giving up four goals on 19 shots. He stunk it up! Hendrik, Daniel Sedin and Marcus Naslund have not scored a goal in ten games. It’s all their young players that are scoring. The one good thing about playing right after a bad loss is you put it behind you and focus on the next game right away. Still, on the road the Canucks are good for 2.36 GAG and their power play has three goals on their last five road games. Luongo should rebound nicely, he’s coming off a three game win streak that allowed five goals on 66 shots. Daniel Sedin had a goal in the last matchup at Phoenix, but was limited to one shot and an assist in a 4-3 home loss to the Coyotes on Jan. 11. Naslund has only an assist in the last three meetings. The Canucks have to start playing with some grit and get in playoff mode. They should be playing like there in the playoffs now!A loss tonight with a Phoenix win and a Nashville win, the race gets even tighter!

Recent Trends

Canucks are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Canucks are 5-11 in their last 16 road games.
Canucks are 4-10 in their last 14 games as an underdog.
Coyotes are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a win.
Coyotes are 2-5 in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
Coyotes are 2-5 in their last 7 home games.

The Bottom Line: The Coyotes have had to play tough, gritty on your toes hockey the last four games. The Canucks have been lounging around barely scoring against, or losing to, bottom feeding teams. Coyotes are going to get closer tonight.

Get your NHL Pick in now at SBG Global.com!

NHL Betting: Vancouver Canucks at Phoenix Coyotes

More Picks Related Articles