The Florida Panthers host the Vancouver Canucks, Thursday Feb 11, as the Canucks superstar goalie Roberto Luongo faces his old squad. This is the first and only meeting between the clubs this season and the Canucks won their only meeting last season. NHL oddsmakers at SPORTSBETTING.com have the Canucks as -155 moneyline favorites over the Panthers (+130) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Florida Panthers NHL Picks in now at SPORTSBETTING.com
The Canucks (35-21-0-2) have won seven of ten and two of their last five road games. They are 12-14-0-1 on the road where they average 2.67 GAG and allow 2.93 GAG. They recently lost in Tampa Bay 1-3. Their lone scorer was Ryan Kesler. Goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 16 of 19 shots and is 8-2 in his last ten with a 2.30 GAA. Overall he’s 30-16-2 with a 2.33 GAA and a .919 SVPCT. Vancouver dropped to second in the Northwest Division after Colorado’s win last night. The Canucks were frustrated with the lack of offense and Tampa Bay’s hot backup goalie. "It took us close to 40 minutes to solve (Niittymaki) and he shut the door in the third," Ryan Kesler, the Canucks only goal scorer said after the game. "We had some real good chances. We just couldn't find a way to beat him." Mason Raymond has recorded three points in his last five games. Vancouver is second in the Western Conference with an average of 3.14 goals scored, but they are only averaging 2.40 GAG in their last five road games . The Canucks are without defensemen Willie Mitchell (concussion) and Kevin Bieksa (severed ankle tendons) and center Alexandre Bolduc (shoulder).
The Panthers (24-26-2-7) have dropped seven of ten and have won three of their last five on home ice. They are 12-10-1-5 at home where they average 2.68 GAG and allow 2.64 GAG. They recently lost in Carolina 1-4. Their lone goal scorer was Cory Stillman. Goalie Tomas Vokoun stopped 26 of 29 shots and is 3-7 in his last ten with a 2.20 GAA. Overall he’s 19-20-9 with a 2.35 GAA and a .931 SVPCT. Goalie Tomas Vokoun is tied with the Devils' Martin Brodeur for the League lead in shutouts with seven . The Panthers have four clubs to jump over in order to slip into the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference. "We're in a tough stretch," Coach Peter DeBoer said after their loss to the last-place Carolina. "You have to keep working until you get it. We're in a low part and we have to fight our way out of it." Stephen Weiss also has three points in his last five games and is the Panthers leading scorer with 47 points this season.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-0-2 in the last 6 meetings in Florida.
- Home team is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Canucks are 6-1-2 in the last 9 meetings.
- Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Canucks are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. a team with a losing record.
- Canucks are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Vancouver Canucks vs Florida Panthers
When: Thurs, Feb 11, 2010 7:30 PM ET
Line: SPORTSBETTING.com
Pick: Canucks -155
Point-Spreads.com Vancouver Canucks vs Florida Panthers NHL Picks
The Bottom Line: Luongo will impress in his home town where he lives during the offseason. Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Florida Panthers NHL Picks in now at SPORTSBETTING.com and Cash in with sign-up bonuses, weekly reload bonuses and free payouts at SPORTSBETTING.com, where betting is safe, secure and easy.
