NHL
Mike Schultz
November 4, 2017

Vancouver Canucks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: NHL Odds, Prediction

The Vancouver Canucks are coming at this game after a disappointing loss to New Jersey where they outshot the Devils 37-26 but scored no goals. The Nucks will be focused on keeping that level of intensity up and hopefully seeing it translate into goals when they face off against the struggling Penguins.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Moneyline: Penguins -135, Canucks +115
Date/Time: Saturday, Nov 4 10pmET
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

The Penguins are struggling to put pucks in the net as of late, and in their last seven games they’ve only scored more than a single goal one time. They were defeated in Calgary on Thursday night, bringing their road trip record to 1-2-1. They’ll visit Vancouver to finish up the disappointing road trip, and will attempt to capitalize on the Canucks’ weaker power play to improve their numbers.

The Canucks had a recent win burst on their road trip out east, but since starting their five home game run, they’ve gone 1-1-1, and are fresh off a 2-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Sports Interaction oddmakers have the Canucks listed here as the +115 underdogs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

It took 41 shots on net for the Pens to get one in against the Flames in their last outing, which paints a pretty clear picture of how the Pittsburgh offense has been struggling to put points on the board this season. Tristan Jarry got his second career NHL start, and looked solid in spite of the loss, stopping 32 of 34. The Pens goaltending situation was looking dire before this game, but Jarry could be their best solution until their starter returns.

The team will be looking to their captain to turn things around tonight at Rogers Arena. Sidney Crosby hasn’t scored a goal in seven games.

Vancouver Canucks

Both the Canucks and the Pens have captains that are struggling to put points up this season. The Canucks leader Henrik Sedin has registered only four shots and no goals in 12 games this season. That said, the Canucks have been better than anyone expected so far, and it’d due to the effort of unexpected players. Rookie Brock Boeser leads the team in points with nine, and Derek Dorsett has already scored six goals in twelve games. They’re also juggling two effective netminders, a position Vancouver has been in before.