The Vancouver Canucks just took top spot in the Northwest Division and they can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Anaheim Ducks, who are seventh overall in the Western Conference with four teams close on their heels. The Vancouver Canucks (42-25-3-6) host the Anaheim Ducks (39-32-4-2) for some hard hitting NHL action. NHL oddsmakers at BodogLife.com have the Canucks as -165 moneyline favs over the Ducks (+145) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks Free NHL Pick in now at BodogLife.com
The Ducks recently beat the Oilers 5-3 on the road for their second straight win. They got goals from Sheldon Brookbank, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Rob Niedermayer (2). Goalie Jonas Hiller stopped 28 of 31 shots for a 20-14-1 record with a 2.24 GAA and a .923 SVPCT. Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 5-5 in his last ten starts and has an overall record of 19-18-5 with a 3.13 GAA. Anaheim was 12th in the Western Conference on March 18, five points out of playoff position, but it's won seven of eight to rise into a tie for seventh. The Ducks are a stunning 14-for-36 (38.9 percent) on the power play in their last eight games, and Niedermayer and fellow defenseman Chris Pronger have combined for 13 points. The Ducks are 19-17-1-2 on the road where they average 2.66 GAG and give up an average 2.82 GAG. They are 4-1 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged 3.80 GAG and given up an average 2.20 GAG. Corey Perry has a goal and six assists against Vancouver this season, though the Canucks have won two of the three meetings. Five of Perry's points came in a 7-6 shootout loss on Oct. 31.
The Canucks recently beat the Wild 2-1 (OT) on the road for their third straight win and eighth win of ten. They got goals from Ryan Kesler and the overtime winner by Willie Henrik Sedin. Goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 33 of 34 shots for a 30-11-6 record with a 2.35 GAA and a .920 SVPCT. Luongo went 4-2-0 with a 1.75 goals-against average on Vancouver's six-game road trip . The Canucks haven't lost at home since Jan. 31, outscoring their opponents 42-19 during their franchise-record 11-game home winning streak. The Canucks are 20-5-1 since Feb. 1, and lead the second-place Flames by one point with six games remaining. The Canucks are 22-11-1-3 at home where they average 3.19 GAG and give up an average 2.35 GAG. They are 5-0 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged 3.60 GAG and given up an average 1.40 GAG.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Ducks are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Vancouver.
- Favorite is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
- Under is 9-4-4 in the last 17 meetings in Vancouver.
- Ducks are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.
- Canucks are 9-0 in their last 9 games as a home favorite.
- Canucks are 11-0 in their last 11 home games.
Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks Free NHL Pick
When: Thurs, April 02, 2009 10:30 PM ET
Line: BodogLife.com
Pick: Canucks -165
Point-Spreads.com Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks Free NHL Pick
The Bottom Line: The Canucks are money at home and Luongo is hot. Go Canucks! Be sure to get your Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks Free NHL Pick in now at BodogLife.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
