Vancouver Canucks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canucks head south after dropping a 5-4 decision in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, and have now posted just one win in their past six overall contests. The Lightning skated to a 6-3 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, extending their current win streak on home ice to eight games.
The Canucks have faded to +217 underdogs since opening as a +215 bet, while the Lightning are perched as heavy -262 favourites on the NHL odds, backed by 88 per cent of sports bettors. The total is unchanged since opening at 6.5, with the OVER vaulting to a short -125 wager.
Canucks vs. Lightning NHL Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at Amalie Arena marks the first of two meetings this season between these clubs. The Lightning have dominated in head-to-head action, limiting Vancouver to just seven total goals while winning four straight clashes, and have averaged 4.75 goals per game while taking three of four from the Canucks on home ice. Accordingly, the OVER has paid out with regularity, going 7-2-1 over their past 10 meetings.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks’ recent defensive woes have continued during the team’s current five-game road trip. The club has been outscored by a 12-8 margin through the first two dates on their current junket, and have now surrendered five or more goals in six of their past 11 outings. With Thatcher Demko still sidelined by injury, Spencer Martin has enjoyed a steady workload in the Vancouver crease, with mixed results. Martin has been lit up for 30 total goals over his past six starts, and has compiled a dismal .833 save percentage in three appearances in 2023, allowing 13 total goals on 78 total shots over that stretch.
On a positive note, it is important not to overlook the Canucks’ recent steady offensive performance that has produced 12 goals in three games. Bo Horvat has led the way with 14 points over his past eight outings. Overall, the club has tallied five total first-period goals over their past two outings, but have blown early leads in three of their past six outings.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning slammed the brakes on a two-game slide with an impressive offensive performance on Tuesday night, piling up 46 shots on the goal in their 6-3 win over the Blue Jackets. While they have produced mixed results on the road, they have been freewheeling on home ice, averaging 4.38 goals and 32.8 shots per game during their steady 8-0-0 run on home ice. The club has maintained that pace with a resurgent power play that has generated five goals over their past two home games after going 3-for-15 with the extra man in their previous seven home contests.
Nikita Kucherov has been red-hot at home. With his two-goal, two-assist performance on Tuesday, Kucherov has now potted three goals and 16 assists during an 11-game points streak on home ice. Conversely, rearguard Mikhail Sergachev enters Thursday’s action with just two total points over his past nine games.
