NHL betting returns to the board as the Vancouver Canucks take on the Minnesota Wild in a Qualifying Round matchup to determine which team will advance to the NHL playoffs. The young and exciting Canucks are currently sitting as favorites at -140, while the more experienced Wild are the underdogs at +101.
We break down NHL odds as we bring you free picks and predictions for the play-in series between the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild.
Canucks vs Wild Qualifying Round Odds
| Team | Odds to win the series |
|---|---|
| Vancouver Canucks | -140 |
| Minnesota Wild | +101 |
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Odds +2,000
Vancouver showed promise last season but this year their potential really began to pay off. Led by a young core featuring Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat and Quinn Hughes, the Canucks had a whopping seven players on pace to score more than 20 goals before the season was paused due to COVID-19.
Netminder Jacob Markstrom was also having a career year, despite Vancouver's defense surrendering 33.3 shots per game (fourth-most in the league). Markstrom was 23-16-4 with a 2.75 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
Unfortunately, Markstrom suffered a knee injury on February 22 and the Canucks went 3-5 in his absence (with two of those three wins coming in overtime). Thankfully the COVID-19 break gave him time to recover, so expect to see him back between the pipes for Vancouver.
Vancouver Canucks betting trends
- The Canucks are 11-3 to the Over in their last 14 games.
- The Canucks convert on the powerplay 24.1 percent of the time, good for fourth in the league.
- The Canucks are second in the league in faceoff percentage with 54 percent.
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild Stanley Cup Odds +5,000
The Wild have an experienced and gritty squad but they're a bit long in the tooth with three of their four top scorers older than 35. The Wild had an up-and-down season but have played with more intensity since firing head coach Bruce Boudreau. The Wild lost their first game with Dean Evanson as their bench boss but then reeled off eight wins in their next 11 games before the COVID-19 shutdown.
Minnesota was also clearly better once Alex Stalock took over the starting goalie job from Devan Dubnyk. Stalock is 20-11-4 with a 2.67 GAA and .910 save percentage, a far cry from Dubnyk's 3.35 GAA and .890 save percentage.
Minnesota Wild betting trends
- The Wild allow the fewest high-danger scoring chances in the league.
- Minnesota's penalty kill unit ranks 25th in the league.
- The Wild are 27th in the league in faceoff percentage with 48.4 percent.
Canucks vs Wild Head-to-Head Comparison
| Vancouver Canucks | Tale of the Tape | Minnesota Wild |
|---|---|---|
| 36-27-6 | Record | 35-27-7 |
| 38-28 | O/U | 32-32 |
| 3.25 | Goals Per Game | 3.16 |
| 3.10 | Goals Allowed Per Game | 3.14 |
| 24.1 | Power Play Percentage | 21.3 |
| 80.5 | Penalty Kill Percentage | 77.2 |
Canucks vs Wild Picks and Predictions
Series Prediction: Vancouver Canucks -140 - While the Wild have playoff experience and a stingy defense, Vancouver is better practically across the board. The Canucks have the special teams advantage, better depth and more star power upfront plus they also have one of the most talented offensive-minded defensemen in the league in Hughes.
Although Stalock should be able to keep the Wild in games, the Canucks are just as good in the crease thanks to Markstrom. Take the younger, faster, Canucks squad.
More NHL Qualifying Round picks and predictions
Under the NHL's special return to play format, there are eight best-of-five Qualifying Round matchups preceding the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Check out our best picks and predictions for all the other series that are scheduled to take place when NHL action resumes:
Western Conference
- Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- Nashville Predators vs. Arizona Coyotes
- Calgary Flames vs. Winnipeg Jets
Eastern Conference
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers
- New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Where can I bet on NHL Playoffs odds?
Most online books and casinos offer bets on the Stanley Cup Playoffs and should offer odds on this special Qualifying Round. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live and see what they are offering for NHL Playoffs odds.
