NHL weekend betting preview: Canucks, Kraken to snap losing streaks
Thursday night was a mixed bag on the ice. We nailed all three of our player props to push our record to 15-2 on the season. Unfortunately, our under in the Tampa Bay versus Philadelphia game was lost with eight seconds remaining, while the Columbus Blue Jackets blew a third-period lead to erase any hope of a regulation victory.
All in all, we won three of five plays given out. Let's dive into some of our best bets for the weekend ahead.
Note: shot props will be posted on Twitter, so be sure to follow!
Jets (-110) @ Canucks (-110)
Nov. 19, 10 p.m. EST
Believe it or not, the Canucks are starting to play much better hockey. The results just haven't come yet.
Vancouver ranks fifth in Corsi For% and has controlled better than 52% of the expected goals at five-on-five since the beginning of November. The team owns a positive goal differential as well. Most of every contest is played with each team icing five players, of course, so it's encouraging that the Canucks are enjoying success there.
What's erased most - all? - of the good work Vancouver has done at five-on-five is its mind-numbingly bad penalty kill. For example, the Canucks posted an xGF above 70% and out-scored the Avalanche 2-0 at five-on-five in their last game. However, Vancouver still lost because it couldn't kill a penalty.
There's reason to believe the Canucks may pull off such a miracle tonight. While the Jets are a good team, there's definite room for improvement on the power play. They rank 20th in expected goals per 60 minutes and 29th in scoring chances per 60 while on the man advantage. Those numbers aren't overly threatening.
I like Vancouver's chances of snapping out of this lengthy losing streak if it can survive on the penalty kill. The Canucks are performing well at full strength, and the Jets are playing their third game in four nights and will also be without Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes Friday.
Bet: Canucks (-110)
Avalanche (-150) @ Kraken (+130)
Nov. 19, 10 p.m. EST
Believe me when I tell you I do not want to back the Kraken again. This team hasn't gotten a save all season long, and it's cost them at least a few games on nights we backed them. But we bet numbers, not teams, and the number is too good here.
Colorado is playing without several key players in Nathan MacKinnon, Bowen Byram, and J.T. Compher. That's taken a lot of sting out of its lineup. But the Canucks(!) out-chanced the Avalanche 34-16 at full strength a couple of days ago. Clearly, the Avs aren't their usual selves.
Controlling the run of play at full strength has been the Kraken's calling card all season. At home and desperate to snap their losing streak, I expect they'll more than hold their own against this banged-up Avalanche team.
Seattle has a good chance of pulling off the upset if it can get a save - for once! Let's hope the Kraken finally come through; they owe us one (or six).
Bet: Kraken (+130)
Red Wings (-140) @ Coyotes (+120)
Nov. 20, 8 p.m. EST
The Red Wings still have their flaws - particularly defensively - but they're several tiers ahead of the Coyotes.
Detroit has controlled nearly 50% of the expected goals at five-on-five over the last 10 games. That sandwiches the team between the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators - respectable company.
Meanwhile, Arizona continues to get caved in on a nightly basis. Its xG share sits at 41% across the last 10 contests. Only the paper-thin Chicago Blackhawks have fared worse over that time.
Despite the Coyotes' goalies combining to post a .930 save percentage at five-on-five during that span, the team has managed to win only two of 10 games. Based on the netminders they roster, I'd expect that number to dip sooner than later.
I see edges across the board for this rebuilding Red Wings team, and I expect them to shine Saturday in Arizona. Don't be shocked if Detroit's surprisingly potent offense puts up a healthy number.
Bet: Red Wings (-140)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.