NHL Picks: Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars

Written by Scott Burgess

Tuesday, 05 February 2008

NHL Picks Experts know that Vancouver Canucks has been struggling badly, winning only two of their last ten games. The Dallas Stars beat them 4-3 the last time they met up, in Vancouver. The Canucks were -100 moneyline favorites with the over/under posted at 5. Can Roberto Luongo help out his struggling defense?

Vancouver (26-21-0-6) at Dallas (31-20-3-2)

Puck Drop: Tue, Feb 5, 2008 8:30 PM ET

Line: BodogLife.com

NHL Picks: Dallas -140

The Dallas Stars host the Vancouver Canucks tonight, at America Airlines Arena, for some hard hitting NHL action. BodogLife.com currently has the Dallas Stars listed as -140 moneyline favorites. Get your NHL Picks in now!

The Dallas Stars are riding a three game winning streak after their most recent 2-1, road win over the Calgary Flames. The Stars got goals from Brendan Morrow and Niklas Hagman while G Marty Turco stopped 32 shots. The Stars offense is averaging 2.9 GAG while their power play is playing averagely. They need to start shooting the puck on net more; they’re currently ranked 28th in shots on net.

Defensively they allow a 8th ranked 2.5 GAG thanks due to G Marty Turco who’s 22-11-4 with a 2.29 GAA and a .911 SVPCT. He likes to handle the puck; he’s like a sixth player out there. The Stars have the second best penalty kill in the league. The go to guys for the Stars are Mike Ribeiro and Brendan Morrow. Ribeiro has 57pts and a +13 rating while Morrow has banged in 22 goals so far. The Stars are currently in 1st place in the Pacific Standings and they’re 15-9-1-1 at home. They are 28-28 ATS and 24-22-10 over/under.

The Vancouver Canucks have fallen nearly into the basement of the Northwest Standings. The once red hot team has struggled to win back to back in their last ten games. They most recently lost to the Florida Panthers, 3-4 (SO), on the road. The Canucks got goals from Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Mason Raymond. The Canucks offense has been struggling to find the back of the net which is why their only averaging a low 2.6 GAG. Their power play has not been producing and they’re taking too many stupid penalties.

Defensively the Canucks are in even more trouble with all of their starting defensemen out with injuries. G Roberto Luongo hasn’t been the superstar he usually is. He’s 22-17-5 with a 2.16 GAA and a .924 SVPCT. The top producers for the Canucks are Henrik Sedin with 52pts and a +16 rating. The Canucks are 12-11-0-4 on the road. They are 27-26 ATS, 20-21-12 over/under. BodogLife has the Over/Under posted at 5 in the Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars game.

Bottom Line: It’s a lock. The Canucks defense is all made up of players from their farm team or they’re first year rookies. The Canucks are going to take stupid penalties that will cost them big time with snipers Mike Ribeiro, Mike Modano and Brendan Morrow on the ice. Get your NHL Pick in now!