The Canucks can’t wait to to back to the West Coast – but before they can return home, they'll try to end a dismal six-game road trip on a happy note on Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild.
The Canucks fell to 1-2-2 on their marathon trek with consecutive regulation losses to the Rangers and Islanders, and are in danger of falling below the .500 mark for the first time since Oct. 9.
Canucks vs Wild Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 14 Nov 7:02pm | VAN | -1.5 +125 | O +5.5 -120 |
| Closing 15 Nov 11:11pm | VAN | -1.5 +105 | O +5.5 -110 |
The Wild are hefty favourites in this one; they kicked off the season 1-2-2, but have won 10 of their past 13 games to vault themselves into second place in the Western Conference, just three points back of the Nashville Predators. Minnesota has won four of its past five games at Xcel Energy Center, and will be looking to reverse a trend that has seen it drop four of its previous five head-to-head meetings with the Canucks.
The total of 5.5 might be too low given how prolific these teams have been in recent history. The over has gone 10-2-2 in the previous 14 meetings, with the teams combining for seven or more goals seven times over that stretch. The Canucks are 9-4-1 O/U in their past 14 games against Central Division opponents, while the Wild have surpassed the total in six of eight games overall and are 5-2 to the over in their last seven vs. the Western Conference.
Vancouver Canucks
Goaltending continues to be a significant problem for the Canucks, particularly this month. Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Islanders bumped Vancouver’s goals-against average for November to 3.83; only five teams boast higher rates for the month. Only the fact that the Canucks are averaging 3.83 goals per game for the month has kept them from sliding into an even deeper hole – but if they can’t get their back end sorted, they could take a major tumble.
- Regular Season
Canucks Team Leaders
| Points |
66 |
| + / - |
9 |
| Shots |
227 |
| Penalty Mins |
118 |
| Wins |
28 |
| GAA |
2.77 |
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
2 |
| Shots |
229 |
| Penalty Mins |
64 |
| Wins |
31 |
| GAA |
2.54 |
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are having no such problems keeping the puck out of their net. Only six teams boast a better goals-against average this month than Minnesota (2.33), with veteran stalwart Devan Dubnyk (2.34 GAA, .927 SV%) leading the way. And the Wild would be even better off if they could get winger Nino Niederreiter going. The three-time 20-goal scorer is mired in a lengthy funk, coming into this one with just one goal through his first 18 games.
- Regular Season
Wild Team Leaders
| Points |
66 |
| + / - |
9 |
| Shots |
227 |
| Penalty Mins |
118 |
| Wins |
28 |
| GAA |
2.77 |
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
2 |
| Shots |
229 |
| Penalty Mins |
64 |
| Wins |
31 |
| GAA |
2.54 |
Injuries
Jake Virtanen (RW)
Tyler Motte (C)
Guillaume Brisebois (D)
Josh Leivo (LW)
Quinn Hughes (D)
Christopher Tanev (D)
Jay Beagle (C)
Quinn Hughes (D)
Antoine Roussel (LW)
Jacob Markstrom (G)
Zach Parise (LW)
Nico Sturm (C)
Zach Parise (LW)
Jason Zucker (LW)
Joel Eriksson Ek (C)
Luke Kunin (C)
Zach Parise (LW)
Kevin Fiala (LW)
Pontus Aberg (LW)
Matt Hendricks (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Virtanen (RW) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 31 / 03 / 19 | 3-1 | 0-4 | + - |
|
Virtanen was absent from the lineup during the previous game with a lower-body injury but it is likely he will be available Thursday against the Predators. |
|||||
| Tyler Motte (C) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 25 / 03 / 19 | 3-4 | 1-6 | + - |
|
Motte sustained an upper-body injury and is in jeopardy of missing the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Guillaume Brisebois (D) | Out indefinitely | Hip - 24 / 03 / 19 | 4-4 | 2-6 | + - |
|
Brisebois has been out of commission with a hip injury and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Josh Leivo (LW) | Prob Tues | Illness - 24 / 03 / 19 | 4-4 | 2-6 | + - |
|
Leivo was absent from the lineup during the last game due to an illness but is likely to be a participant in Tuesday's matchup against the Ducks. |
|||||
| Quinn Hughes (D) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 23 / 03 / 19 | 4-4 | 2-6 | + - |
|
Hughes has sat out the past three games with an ankle injury but is projected to make his season debut against the Kings on Thursday. |
|||||
| Christopher Tanev (D) | out for season | Lower Body - 16 / 03 / 19 | 7-5 | 2-10 | + - |
|
Tanev suffered a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season. |
|||||
| Jay Beagle (C) | Prob Sun | Illness - 15 / 03 / 19 | 7-5 | 2-10 | + - |
|
Beagle missed the previous game with an illness but it is not expected to keep him out of the lineup against the Stars on Sunday. |
|||||
| Quinn Hughes (D) | Late March | Ankle - 14 / 03 / 19 | 7-6 | 3-10 | + - |
|
Hughes has a deep bone bruise on his ankle and will be out of action until at least the end of March. |
|||||
| Antoine Roussel (LW) | out for season | Knee - 13 / 03 / 19 | 7-6 | 3-10 | + - |
|
Roussel is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. |
|||||
| Jacob Markstrom (G) | Doub Thurs | Rest - 07 / 03 / 19 | 9-7 | 3-13 | + - |
|
Markstrom is not expected to be available against the Oilers on Thursday as he is to be rested. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Parise (LW) | out for season | Lower Body - 04 / 04 / 19 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Parise is sidelined with a lower-body injury and an illness and will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season. |
|||||
| Nico Sturm (C) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 02 / 04 / 19 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Sturm missed the last game with visa issues but it is not expected to impede his status for Thursday's matchup versus the Bruins. |
|||||
| Zach Parise (LW) | Ques Tues | Lower Body - 23 / 03 / 19 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Parise has missed the past four games with a lower-body issue and it is unknown if he will return to action against the Jets on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Jason Zucker (LW) | Ques Sun | Leg - 17 / 03 / 19 | 5-5 | 3-7 | + - |
|
Zucker exited the last game due to a right leg injury and it is undetermined if he will be in Sunday's lineup versus the Islanders. |
|||||
| Joel Eriksson Ek (C) | Prob Fri | Lower Body - 13 / 03 / 19 | 5-7 | 3-8-1 | + - |
|
Eriksson is saddled with a lower-body injury but it is likely he will return the lineup until for Friday's game versus the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Luke Kunin (C) | Prob Thurs | Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 19 | 7-8 | 5-9-1 | + - |
|
Kunin is dealing with an upper-body injury but is likely to return to the ice for Thursday's game versus the Stars. |
|||||
| Zach Parise (LW) | Ques Sun | Foot - 28 / 02 / 19 | 10-8 | 5-11-2 | + - |
|
Parise missed the previous game with a foot injury and it is unclear if he will play against the Predators on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kevin Fiala (LW) | Prob Tues | Acquired - 25 / 02 / 19 | 10-9 | 5-12-2 | + - |
|
Fiala was acquired at the trade deadline and is expected to make his team debut Tuesday against the Jets. |
|||||
| Pontus Aberg (LW) | Ques Tues | Illness - 24 / 02 / 19 | 11-9 | 5-13-2 | + - |
|
Aberg departed the previous game due to an illness and it is unknown if the symptoms will subside in time for Tuesday's matchup versus the Jets. |
|||||
| Matt Hendricks (C) | Ques Thurs | Upper Body - 13 / 02 / 19 | 13-13 | 7-17-2 | + - |
|
Hendricks has missed the past three games due to an upper-body injury and it is undetermined if he will return against the Rangers on Thursday. |
|||||
Canucks vs. Wild Prediction
-
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
2 -
MINNESOTA WILD
4
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 14 Nov 7:02pm VAN -1.5 +125 O +5.5 -120 Closing 15 Nov 11:11pm VAN -1.5 +105 O +5.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
Canucks Team Leaders
Points 66
+ / - 9
Shots 227
Penalty Mins 118
Wins 28
GAA 2.77
Points 61
+ / - 2
Shots 229
Penalty Mins 64
Wins 31
GAA 2.54
-
- Regular Season
Wild Team Leaders
Points 66
+ / - 9
Shots 227
Penalty Mins 118
Wins 28
GAA 2.77
Points 61
+ / - 2
Shots 229
Penalty Mins 64
Wins 31
GAA 2.54
-
Injuries
Jake Virtanen (RW)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 31 / 03 / 19Tyler Motte (C)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 25 / 03 / 19Guillaume Brisebois (D)
Out indefinitely Hip - 24 / 03 / 19Josh Leivo (LW)
Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 19Quinn Hughes (D)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 23 / 03 / 19Christopher Tanev (D)
out for season Lower Body - 16 / 03 / 19Jay Beagle (C)
Prob Sun Illness - 15 / 03 / 19Quinn Hughes (D)
Late March Ankle - 14 / 03 / 19Antoine Roussel (LW)
out for season Knee - 13 / 03 / 19Jacob Markstrom (G)
Doub Thurs Rest - 07 / 03 / 19Zach Parise (LW)
out for season Lower Body - 04 / 04 / 19Nico Sturm (C)
Prob Thurs Personal - 02 / 04 / 19Zach Parise (LW)
Ques Tues Lower Body - 23 / 03 / 19Jason Zucker (LW)
Ques Sun Leg - 17 / 03 / 19Joel Eriksson Ek (C)
Prob Fri Lower Body - 13 / 03 / 19Luke Kunin (C)
Prob Thurs Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 19Zach Parise (LW)
Ques Sun Foot - 28 / 02 / 19Kevin Fiala (LW)
Prob Tues Acquired - 25 / 02 / 19Pontus Aberg (LW)
Ques Tues Illness - 24 / 02 / 19Matt Hendricks (C)
Ques Thurs Upper Body - 13 / 02 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jake Virtanen (RW) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 31 / 03 / 19 3-1 0-4 + - Virtanen was absent from the lineup during the previous game with a lower-body injury but it is likely he will be available Thursday against the Predators.
Tyler Motte (C) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 25 / 03 / 19 3-4 1-6 + - Motte sustained an upper-body injury and is in jeopardy of missing the remainder of the season.
Guillaume Brisebois (D) Out indefinitely Hip - 24 / 03 / 19 4-4 2-6 + - Brisebois has been out of commission with a hip injury and there is no timetable for return.
Josh Leivo (LW) Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 19 4-4 2-6 + - Leivo was absent from the lineup during the last game due to an illness but is likely to be a participant in Tuesday's matchup against the Ducks.
Quinn Hughes (D) Prob Thurs Ankle - 23 / 03 / 19 4-4 2-6 + - Hughes has sat out the past three games with an ankle injury but is projected to make his season debut against the Kings on Thursday.
Christopher Tanev (D) out for season Lower Body - 16 / 03 / 19 7-5 2-10 + - Tanev suffered a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Jay Beagle (C) Prob Sun Illness - 15 / 03 / 19 7-5 2-10 + - Beagle missed the previous game with an illness but it is not expected to keep him out of the lineup against the Stars on Sunday.
Quinn Hughes (D) Late March Ankle - 14 / 03 / 19 7-6 3-10 + - Hughes has a deep bone bruise on his ankle and will be out of action until at least the end of March.
Antoine Roussel (LW) out for season Knee - 13 / 03 / 19 7-6 3-10 + - Roussel is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
Jacob Markstrom (G) Doub Thurs Rest - 07 / 03 / 19 9-7 3-13 + - Markstrom is not expected to be available against the Oilers on Thursday as he is to be rested.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Zach Parise (LW) out for season Lower Body - 04 / 04 / 19 1-1 1-1 + - Parise is sidelined with a lower-body injury and an illness and will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Nico Sturm (C) Prob Thurs Personal - 02 / 04 / 19 1-2 1-2 + - Sturm missed the last game with visa issues but it is not expected to impede his status for Thursday's matchup versus the Bruins.
Zach Parise (LW) Ques Tues Lower Body - 23 / 03 / 19 4-3 2-5 + - Parise has missed the past four games with a lower-body issue and it is unknown if he will return to action against the Jets on Tuesday.
Jason Zucker (LW) Ques Sun Leg - 17 / 03 / 19 5-5 3-7 + - Zucker exited the last game due to a right leg injury and it is undetermined if he will be in Sunday's lineup versus the Islanders.
Joel Eriksson Ek (C) Prob Fri Lower Body - 13 / 03 / 19 5-7 3-8-1 + - Eriksson is saddled with a lower-body injury but it is likely he will return the lineup until for Friday's game versus the Golden Knights.
Luke Kunin (C) Prob Thurs Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 19 7-8 5-9-1 + - Kunin is dealing with an upper-body injury but is likely to return to the ice for Thursday's game versus the Stars.
Zach Parise (LW) Ques Sun Foot - 28 / 02 / 19 10-8 5-11-2 + - Parise missed the previous game with a foot injury and it is unclear if he will play against the Predators on Sunday.
Kevin Fiala (LW) Prob Tues Acquired - 25 / 02 / 19 10-9 5-12-2 + - Fiala was acquired at the trade deadline and is expected to make his team debut Tuesday against the Jets.
Pontus Aberg (LW) Ques Tues Illness - 24 / 02 / 19 11-9 5-13-2 + - Aberg departed the previous game due to an illness and it is unknown if the symptoms will subside in time for Tuesday's matchup versus the Jets.
Matt Hendricks (C) Ques Thurs Upper Body - 13 / 02 / 19 13-13 7-17-2 + - Hendricks has missed the past three games due to an upper-body injury and it is undetermined if he will return against the Rangers on Thursday.