Vancouver Canucks vs. New Jersey Devils Prediction, NHL Odds
Vancouver and New Jersey are each looking to end mini two-game slumps. The Canucks are coming off a 5-3 loss against the Rangers on Saturday, while the Devils lost 3-2 against the visiting Senators.
New Jersey is a -140 favourite to win on the NHL odds, while the total is set at a conservative 5.0.
Canucks vs. Devils NHL Betting Odds
This puts an end to the season-series following the Devils’ 6-0 blowout victory in Vancouver on Oct. 30. Nico Hischier led the way for New Jersey with a three-point effort as the Devils lit up Arturs Silovs for six goals on just 22 shots.
This is clearly a more important game for the Canucks. While New Jersey is comfortably locked into third spot in the Metropolitan Division, Vancouver is five points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, with two teams to leapfrog.
Unfortunately, history is heavily against the Canucks. Vancouver has lost 16 of their last 18 games against the Devils, including eight of nine in New Jersey,
Bettors have prospered by fading both teams this season. The Canucks are 32-38 against the spread and the Devils are 29-42 ATS, the third-worst mark in the NHL.
Both teams have played the Under in a majority of games this year, but goals could be on the menu on Monday as the Over has hit in six of the last seven head-to-heads.
Vancouver Canucks
You could argue Vancouver deserved a better fate against the Rangers. The Canucks significantly outshot New York in all three periods for a 39-12 edge on the night. Brock Boeser, Dakota Joshua and Drew O’Connor had the goals for Vancouver, but a four-goal third period by New York made the difference. Kevin Lankinen, who signed a lucrative five-year contract extension in February, finished the day with just eight saves in arguably his worst performance in what has otherwise been a very strong season.
The big news for Vancouver on Monday is the expected return of franchise goalie Thatcher Demko. Last year’s Vezina Trophy runner-up has dealt with multiple injuries this season, the latest of which has kept him on the shelf since early February. Demko had been trending in the right direction prior to his latest lower-body injury, winning three of the last four starts he was able to finish. He turned aside six shots against Toronto on Feb. 8 before exiting with an undisclosed injury.
New Jersey Devils
Hischier and Erik Haula found the back of the net for New Jersey on Saturday, while Jake Allen allowed three goals on 19 shots. The Devils have faltered lately, dropping three of their last four games and six of their last 10. New Jersey is lucky they’re a bit stuck in the middle of the standings. They trail Carolina by 10 points for second in the Metro and they hold a comfortable six-point cushion over the Rangers for third in the division.
Jacob Markstrom will get the start in net on Monday. Markstrom has been shaky in the month of March, posting a 1-5-0 record with an .833 save percentage. His stat line doesn’t look bad for the season as he’s 22-14-5 with a 2.49 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. At least part of the blame for Markstrom’s recent struggles has to go a lack of goal support, with the Devils averaging just 2.72 goals per game this month.
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