The Carolina Hurricanes are currently 0-for-Canada through the first three games of a six-game trek.
They’ll try to snap the skid with a stop in Vancouver, as slim NHL odds favorites against a Canucks team that is still seeking back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-November.
Let’s break down this matchup and get to my free NHL picks for Saturday, December 9.
Hurricanes vs Canucks odds
Hurricanes vs Canucks predictions
The Hurricanes are coming off a 3-2 loss last game against the Calgary Flames, after taking losses in Edmonton and Winnipeg.
This Flames L, though, should sting a little extra, as the Cane’s built a 2-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game, only to surrender three third-period goals, the final a Blake Coleman short-handed tally that turned out to be the game-decider.
A team that averages 3.23 goals per game, Carolina has scored just four goals over the last three, while allowing 11.
To salvage this trip, the Canes will need to start Saturday night, against the three-seed in the West, a Vancouver team that’s tied for the most home wins in the conference, with a 9-3-1 mark.
While the Canes are spiraling, the Canucks are sputtering, alternating wins and losses over their last 10. You have to go back to Nov 12 (5-2 at Montreal) and Nov 15 (4-3 in OT against the Islanders) for the last time they’ve strung together a pair of W’s.
After dropping a 6-5 decision to the Devils, the ‘Nucks rebounded at home, stopping the Minnesota Wild 2-0, behind a 26-save effort from backup Casey DeSmith, earning his first shutout of the campaign.
I think this one will be close, and you could talk me into picking either team to win outright. So, we’ll turn our attention to the player props, where J.T. Miller has produced at home. In his last seven games, the forward has tallied 11 points, including four goals.
But he’s also putting the puck to the goal, and he’s being given +120 odds to fire 2.5 shots on net Saturday night.
Miller has gone Over this total in each of his last seven at Rogers Arena, including the last two, where he’s had four shots in each against the Wild and Devils — the same number he had in his last game against these same Hurricanes.
I like Miller to keep peppering the net Saturday night.
My best bet: J.T. Miller Over 2.5 shots on goal (+120 at SIA)
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Hurricanes vs Canucks same-game parlay
Hurricanes +1.5
Over 1.5 first-period goals
The Miller prop isn’t available for an SIA same-game parlay, but no matter; we’ve got a two-legger that shouldn’t disappoint.
Let’s start with the puckline, where I’m not usually big on inspired play after a coach’s comments, but Rod Brind’Amour destroyed his team post-game after Calgary.
“We have some guys working every night, contributing, doing what they do. But there's a lot of others that need to look in the mirror," he said.
While I’m still not sure they win, look for the Hurricane bounce-back Saturday.
Finally, let’s target the first period, where the Canucks and their opponent have crossed the 1.5-goal mark in the first period after a Vancouver win nine straight times
Vancouver is the only team to top the 100-goal mark so far this season, and is sixth in the league with 30 first-period goals, while also allowing 25 against.
Vancouver’s first-period scoring average is 1.11, while the Hurricanes are no slouch, closing in on a goal per period, averaging 0.96.
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Hurricanes vs Canucks moneyline and Over/Under analysis
As of Friday night, there were still a few sites where you could grab the Canucks on the moneyline at +100 odds.
For the most part, however, both clubs check in with minus odds, the largest for the Hurricanes at -139.
This is a team that’s dropped three straight road games to fall to 6-9-0 away from home. Despite its strong home record, Vancouver is just 3-3 in its last six at Rogers.
The total has climbed as high as 7.0 for this one, but most books have settled at 6.5 goals.
The Over has gone 15-8-2 in Vancouver games this season, while the Canes’ Over is hitting .500, 12 up and 12 down.
Hurricanes vs Canucks betting trend to know
The underdogs have covered the in each of the Hurricanes' last seven visits to Rogers Arena. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Canucks.
Hurricanes vs Canucks game info
| Location: | Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC |
| Date: | Saturday, December 9, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | CBC, Sportsnet |
Hurricanes vs Canucks latest injuries
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