NHL Hockey
2011-12-15 - Vancouver Canucks at Carolina Hurricanes
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Thursday, December 15th, 2011, 7:00PM US
(12:00AM GMT)
PREVIEW
Lost a bet the last time out on Vancouver away at Columbus but I'm going to stick with them here against a poor Carolina Hurricanes outfit as the Canucks are in a good 'bounce back' spot.
Vancouver are 18-10-2 coming into this, including 10-6-1 on the road. The Canucks are scoring over 3 goals per game when travelling, as much as Carolina are giving up on home ice and will fancy their chances with a key member of the Hurricanes defence, Joni Pitkanen, missing from tonight's game.
The Hurricanes are 9-18-5 and truly struggling. Goals are at a premium for this team, much likes wins, and they will have a tougher time without their star Jeff Skinner. Skinner is the top scorer for the Hurricanes with 12 goals, and his 24 points is the best in his team, yet he misses tonight with a concussion, just like Pitkanen.
Carolina are scoring an average of 2.50 goals per game, but only 2.31 when at home, which matches up badly against a Vancouver defence that is giving up less than that on the road. The Hurricanes will put their faith in Eric Staal to get them some goals, but with just 7 goals in his last 32, he does not look like he brings any form into this one.
There is a trend of the home team winning the meetings between these two, but Carolina and Vancouver have not met in 14 months. At the moment, Vancouver are a hot team, fresh off a disappointing loss against a team they should have thumped. With a day to recover in between, expect them to roll into Carolina to make a statement.
BETTING VERDICT
The last time these 2 met, Vancouver won 5-1. I'm going to go with Vancouver in regulation tonight, as I see them winning by a few.
The Pick :
Vancouver to win in regulation
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Vancouver -0.5 (regulation) @ 1.90 (Pinnacle)
