Disclaimer; This is my first thread/write up.
Minnesota and Canucks gear up tonight for a match in St. Paul. Canucks are on a super streak. They've gained much needed points but still are sitting at 4th in a strong division. The Wild are in the midst of a tough stretch of games that started with a win over the Sharks at home and followed up with a 1-2-0 road trip against Ducks, Sharks (again), and Avalanche. A few games after tonight they have road games with the Pens, Rangers, and Jets. Needless to say, points are precious in the West at the moment.
Despite the net position being in a bit of flux early in the month, Harding has been strong in net lately and will likely get a start for the Wild. He has a .940 Sv% which is good enough for 5th in the league but with way more ice time. Behind Harding, Minnesota have a 2.00 GAA in their last five games against some of the highest scoring teams in the league, going 4-3-0 in December. Two of those losses were strong teams on the road (sharks, ducks), and two had the struggling N. Backstrom in net. Those were tough close games they lost and have proven to me they're a playoff team that can hang in the West. A tough west division may keep them from going far (again), but I like them as a possible sleeper. They are great in one goal games and play well at home... defense that can score... good goalies (Backstrom, meh).... Anyways, maybe too soon for playoff talk and a little off subject.
Canucks? Well they're just on a tear of a stretch!! They have not lost in December. They are marching on a war path and taking goalies' heads with them as proof of their conquests. Ok, maybe not that far but you can definitely say their offense is more of a weapon now. 3.43 G/G in December. Really the defense has been key on their current streak. Best PK in the league... depth at the goalie position... Vancouver looks like a contender again. They can take control of third in the west with a win tonight and a Sharks' loss.
Holy Goalie!! Josh Harding has a 4-1-0 record in his past 5 games with a 1.40 GA/A . Congrats to Harding, but Luongo has been better. Luongo is perfect in his last five starts with a 1.19 GA/A. Nasty!!
With this goalie match up, the fact that the Canucks' PK is best in the league, Canucks playing solid defense, and the Wild continuously grinding out low scoring games (especially at home), I will take the under here. Honestly, with these two teams I can list multiple reasons for the under here but it all comes down to the effort and execution on the ice tonight. Let's hope both teams, being well rested and hungry for points, show up to play defensively.
These teams play each other tough but the Wild have the edge at home in the past. Minnesota have a strong aggressive presence near the net and if they can get some traffic near Luongo, they can sneak in a few. Minnesota are a fast team, I can see a break away or odd man rush being the difference here. I know... The Canucks are hot as hell right now, but I'm leaning Wild here. I will keep it a ML pick because Wild go to OT a lot.
Being a rook, I'm up for any advice/discussion on this game or others. I love hockey. Been watching it for years but this year I have really been into it. This is my first thread as I have been mostly just reading along in the forum, so tail my picks at your own risk, and as always.. Good luck!!!
Vancouver Canucks @ Minnesota Wild (-115) leaning on this
Canucks/Wild - Under 5 (-120)
Minnesota and Canucks gear up tonight for a match in St. Paul. Canucks are on a super streak. They've gained much needed points but still are sitting at 4th in a strong division. The Wild are in the midst of a tough stretch of games that started with a win over the Sharks at home and followed up with a 1-2-0 road trip against Ducks, Sharks (again), and Avalanche. A few games after tonight they have road games with the Pens, Rangers, and Jets. Needless to say, points are precious in the West at the moment.
Despite the net position being in a bit of flux early in the month, Harding has been strong in net lately and will likely get a start for the Wild. He has a .940 Sv% which is good enough for 5th in the league but with way more ice time. Behind Harding, Minnesota have a 2.00 GAA in their last five games against some of the highest scoring teams in the league, going 4-3-0 in December. Two of those losses were strong teams on the road (sharks, ducks), and two had the struggling N. Backstrom in net. Those were tough close games they lost and have proven to me they're a playoff team that can hang in the West. A tough west division may keep them from going far (again), but I like them as a possible sleeper. They are great in one goal games and play well at home... defense that can score... good goalies (Backstrom, meh).... Anyways, maybe too soon for playoff talk and a little off subject.
Canucks? Well they're just on a tear of a stretch!! They have not lost in December. They are marching on a war path and taking goalies' heads with them as proof of their conquests. Ok, maybe not that far but you can definitely say their offense is more of a weapon now. 3.43 G/G in December. Really the defense has been key on their current streak. Best PK in the league... depth at the goalie position... Vancouver looks like a contender again. They can take control of third in the west with a win tonight and a Sharks' loss.
Holy Goalie!! Josh Harding has a 4-1-0 record in his past 5 games with a 1.40 GA/A . Congrats to Harding, but Luongo has been better. Luongo is perfect in his last five starts with a 1.19 GA/A. Nasty!!
With this goalie match up, the fact that the Canucks' PK is best in the league, Canucks playing solid defense, and the Wild continuously grinding out low scoring games (especially at home), I will take the under here. Honestly, with these two teams I can list multiple reasons for the under here but it all comes down to the effort and execution on the ice tonight. Let's hope both teams, being well rested and hungry for points, show up to play defensively.
These teams play each other tough but the Wild have the edge at home in the past. Minnesota have a strong aggressive presence near the net and if they can get some traffic near Luongo, they can sneak in a few. Minnesota are a fast team, I can see a break away or odd man rush being the difference here. I know... The Canucks are hot as hell right now, but I'm leaning Wild here. I will keep it a ML pick because Wild go to OT a lot.
Being a rook, I'm up for any advice/discussion on this game or others. I love hockey. Been watching it for years but this year I have really been into it. This is my first thread as I have been mostly just reading along in the forum, so tail my picks at your own risk, and as always.. Good luck!!!
Vancouver Canucks @ Minnesota Wild (-115) leaning on this
Canucks/Wild - Under 5 (-120)
