Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, NHL Odds
Losing streaks will be on the line when the Colorado Avalanche visit the Vancouver Canucks in Thursday NHL action. The Avalanche hit the road for two games after falling 3-2 to Vegas on Monday, extending their current losing streak to four. The Canucks wrap up a three-game home stand riding a three-game slide after being outclassed in a 6-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
Since opening as -150 road favourites, the Avalanche have improved to -158 chalk on the NHL odds, backed by 74 per cent of sports bettors. The Canucks are pegged as fading +132 underdogs, and the total sits at 6.5, with strengthening -120 odds favouring the UNDER.
Avalanche vs. Canucks NHL Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at Rogers Arena marks the second of three regular season meetings between these Western Conference rivals. The Canucks escaped with a 4-3 victory when they visited Colorado on November 23, and have now won two straight over the Avs.
However, Vancouver has struggled at times in head-to-head action on home ice, losing three of five while surrendering 4.60 goals per game over that stretch. The Avs’ steady production has been key to the current 3-1-1 run for the UNDER over the past five dates between these clubs.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche have struggled at both ends of the ice during their current four-game losing streak, allowing five goals per game while averaging just 2.75 markers per game over that stretch. Those woes have also extended to their recent lukewarm run on the road, where they have lost four of seven while allowing 4.14 goals per game.
One exception to the team’s current spotty offensive performance has been Mikko Rantanen. The talented Finn turned in his fourth multi-point performance in six games by potting a goal and an assist in Monday’s loss to Vegas, and has also tallied seven points during a four-game points streak on the road.
Nathan MacKinnon has also looked poised to kick start the Avs attack since his return from injury. After being held off the scoresheet in Saturday’s 6-2 loss to Toronto that marked his first appearance since getting sidelined in early December, MacKinnon also contributed a goal and an assist against Vegas, and has also piled up 20 total points while recording at least a point in 10 of his past 11 appearances against Vancouver.
Vancouver Canucks
After flashing a glimmer of hope by filling the net during a three-game win streak over Christmas, the Canucks have since reverted to familiar form by falling to defeat in each of three straight outings. While the club racked up 5.67 goals per game during their recent surge, they have mustered just six total goals over their three recent defeats, which have been accompanied by what looks to be budding conflict in the dressing room.
Signed to a massive new contract this past offseason, J.T. Miller has struggled to live up to expectations. The veteran forward has recorded just seven points in 14 games since the beginning of December, and is also goalless in his past 12 home dates. Miller’s frustration has boiled over in the form of on-ice confrontation with teammates, which has done little to help to the existing lack of chemistry on this club.
Once exception to those recent struggles has been Bo Horvat, who tallied both goals in Tuesday’s loss to the Islanders, and has now compiled six goals and five assists over his past five outings. However, Horvat is unlikely able to carry the Canucks attack against a surly Avs squad that is overdue for a breakout win.
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