The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday Mar 23, as the Oilers look for a third straight win on home ice. This is the sixth and final meeting between the Northwest Division rivals with Vancouver leading 4-1 SU. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Canucks as -240 moneyline favs over the Oilers (+210) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers NHL Prediction in early at BETUS.com
The Canucks (44-24-1-3) have won six of their last ten games and went 8-6 on their monster 14 game road trip during the Olympics. They are 18-16-0-2 on the road where they average 2.97 GAG and allow 3.03 GAG. They recently lost to Detroit 3-4 (OT) at home. They got goals from Kyle Wellwood, Shane O'Brien and Daniel Sedin but they gave up the overtime goal with one second left. Goalie Roberto Luongo stopped a massive 50 of 54 shots and is 6-4 in his last ten with a 3.40 GAA. Overall he’s 37-19-3 with a 2.47 GAA and a .916 SVPCT. The Canucks have built a six-point lead on the struggling Colorado Avalanche and there are only 10 games remaining in the regular season. A division title would guarantee Vancouver home-ice advantage in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Canucks forward Ryan Kesler has 17 points in his last 16 games . The Canucks will be without veteran forward Pavol Demitra tonight, his absence was due to a personal matter. Prior to the Olympic break, Demitra missed three games when his wife was ill. “He's gone on personal reasons,” Vigneault said. “I'm not quite sure when he'll be back. It's personal.” With Demitra out, Mason Raymond will take his spot on the second line with Ryan Kesler and rookie Michael Grabner. Tanner Glass will skate in Raymond's third-line spot alongside Kyle Wellwood and Jannik Hansen.
The Oilers (23-42-2-5) have lost six of ten but have won fo7ur of their last five at home. They are 15-18-2-2 at home where they average 2.73 GAG and allow 3.24 GAG. They recently beat San Jose 5-1 at home thanks to goals from Robert Nilsson, Dustin Penner, Fernando Pisani, Shawn Horcoff and Aaron Johnson. Goalie Devan Dubnyk stopped 27 of 28 shots and is 2-8 in his last ten, but has looked great in his last two games against high scoring teams. The sudden surge is a case of better late than never. "I didn't want to wait 11 starts to get the first one," smiled Dubnyk. "It's amazing to get the first win, that winning feeling and get it out of the way. Dustin Penner has enjoyed multi-point games in two of his last five contests for Edmonton . Edmonton needs seven more points in its final 10 games to avoid tying its worst record in franchise history with 53 points.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Canucks are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
- Home team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Canucks are 12-3 in their last 15 vs. Northwest.
- Oilers are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
- Oilers are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers
When: Tuesday Mar 23, 2009 9:00 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Vancouver -240
Point-Spreads.com Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers NHL Prediction
The Bottom Line: The Oilers are hot but the Canucks are just as good on the road. Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers NHL Prediction in early at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
