The Vancouver Canucks continue their 14 game Olympic road trip as they head into Columbus to face the Blue Jackets, Tuesday Mar 02. Team Canada gold medal goalie Roberto Luongo will have the day off as Blue Jackets center, and fellow Canadian gold medalist, Rick Nash will have to wait to get a chance to sneak one past him. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Blue Jackets as -130 moneyline favs over the Canucks (-105) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Picks in early at BETUS.com
The Canucks (37-22-0-2) have won six of their last ten games and four of their last eight on the road. They are 14-15-0-1 on the road where they average 2.70 GAG and allow 2.93 GAG. They recently lost in Minnesota, before the break, 2-6. They got goals from Mason Raymond and Mikael Samuelsson. With goalie Roberto Luongo resting, they’ll start Andrew Raycroft who is 5-5 with a 3.30 GAA. Overall he’s 6-4 with a 2.31 GAA and a .912 SVPCT. The Canucks are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with 76 points. Ryan Kesler played great for the USA Olympic team, he had 2 goals in 6 games . Pavol Demitra played awesome for Slovakia and will be rewarded by playing on the second line, not the fourth. Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa isn't close to returning after severing tendons in his leg. Fellow blueliner Willie Mitchell is dealing with a concussion and it’s not looking good. He took to the ice after feeling better and soon as he started skating, his symptoms returned. The Canucks might be shopping for a defenseman come the trade deadline.
The Blue Jackets (25-28-1-9) have won five of their last ten games and three of their last five on home ice. They are 15-10-1-5 at home where they average 2.52 GAG and allow 2.52 GAG. They recently lost to Chicago 4-5 (SO) at home. They got goals from Kristian Huselius, Raffi Torres, Rick Nash AND Fedor Tyutin. Goalie Mathieu Garon played this game and the regular duties will go to Steve Mason who is 5-5 with a 2.80 GAA. Overall he’s 16-19-6 with a 3.08 GAA and a .897 SVPCT. The Jackets hottest player Rick Nash will likely be tired after the Olympics, but they will need Nash at full-strength right away. The Jackets are nine points out of the eighth spot in the West and they need to start fighting hard. Rick Nash had 2 goals and 3 assists for Team Canada . The two-week break likely means the return of Jackets center Derrick Brassard (undisclosed) and forward Derek Dorsett (forearm). Defensemen Mike Commodore and Rostislav Kesla could be back in the lineup soon.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Canucks are 5-0 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
- Canucks are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Canucks are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
- Canucks are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Central.
- Blue Jackets are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home favorite.
- Blue Jackets are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
- Blue Jackets are 2-9 in their last 11 vs. Northwest.
Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets
When: Tuesday Mar 02, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Canucks -105
Point-Spreads.com Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Picks
The Bottom Line: They had multiple players at Olympics and they haven’t missed a beat. Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Picks in now at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
