The Vancouver Canucks hope home ice advantage pays off tonight, Friday April 23, as they host the LA Kings in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarters. The Canucks won Game 4, 6-4 as -109 road favs as the series sits knotted at two apiece. NHL oddsmakers at SBGGLOBAL.com have the Canucks as -190 moneyline home favorites over the Kings (+165) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: 2010 NHL Playoffs: LA Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Game 5 Odds & Prediction in now at SBGGLOBAL.com
The Kings lost Game 4 and could’ve have an unprecedented 3-1 lead but the Canucks fought back to tie the series 2-2 as the action heads to Vancouver. "Great effort. I loved our start," Coach Terry Murray said. "The first period was exactly what we needed, go after it. The Kings had goals from Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Wayne Simmonds. Goalie Jonathan Quick played a great game as usual but just couldn’t hold off the Nucks in the third. Quick is 2-2 with a 3.06 GAA. "We have geared ourselves up for a long series," Ryan Smyth said. "We know it was not going to be easy, they are a fighting team, and so are we. We are geared up, we are ready for it." Kings winger Wayne Simmonds has 2 goals and an assist in the three games since he was moved to the top line. Their powerplay is rolling along with nine goals on 16 powerplays.
The Canucks took Game 4, 4-6 thanks to goals from Christian Ehrhoff, Pavol Demitra, Mikael Samuelsson, Sami Salo, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. They were down 3-1 heading into the third period and score four goals in the third to get the must win. Goalie Roberto Luongo has been struggling in these playoffs with a 2-2 record and a 3.40 GAA. It hasn't been pretty or easy, the Canucks have allowed nine power-play goals, but they killed the last two chances the Kings had Wednesday, and they hope the momentum carries into Game 5. "A win is always big in the playoffs," Henrik Sedin said. "It doesn't matter when it happens. If you look at all the series, all the games, a goal here and there is going to change the momentum in every series. Now we have it, and we have to keep holding onto it." The Nucks are getting great offense from forward Mikael Sammuelson, who is tied for a share of the playoff lead with five goals. Canucks defensemen Nolan Baumgartner and Aaron Rome are day-to-day but won't play in Game 5. They must be disciplined and not cause penalties. Vancouver has allowed at least two power-play goals in each of its last six playoff games (the last two games against Chicago in 2009 and the first four games of its series against Los Angeles), tying an NHL record.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings in Vancouver.
- Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Home team is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
- Kings are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings.
- Kings are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Vancouver.
- Canucks are 8-1 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Canucks are 4-1 in their last 5 Friday games.
- Canucks are 7-2 in their last 9 Conference Quarterfinals games.
LA Kings vs Vancouver Canucks
When: Friday April 23, 2010 7:00 PM ET
Line: SBGGLOBAL.com
Pick: Canucks -190
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: LA Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Game 5 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Nucks must avoid penalties and Luongo must be at his best. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: LA Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Game 5 Odds & Predictions in now at SBGGLOBAL.com and receive up to 20% in Sign-up Bonuses and start winning today!
