Penguins vs. Canucks Picks, Predictions: Vancouver hosts Pittsburgh on back-to-back
The Canucks finally earned a win on Thursday night in Seattle, but now they need to turn around and host the Penguins on Friday night. Let's examine the matchup in our Penguins-Canucks picks.
The Penguins started the 2022-23 season with points in five straight games (4-0-1) before losing their last two contests on the road. They’ve enjoyed a few days off and now conclude their road trip in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, the Canucks are riding high after picking up their first win of the season on Thursday night in Seattle. Still, they were outshot 36-19 in that game and 39-16 in the team's prior outing.
Here are my NHL picks and predictions for Friday’s Penguins-Canucks matchup (odds via BetRivers and DraftKings Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Penguins vs. Canucks Game Info
Date: Friday, Oct. 28, 10 p.m. ET
TV: SN1, ATTSN, SN360
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Penguins vs. Canucks Odds
Penguins vs. Canucks Odds Analysis
The Penguins opened at -156, and the line hasn’t moved too much despite the back-to-back set for Vancouver. Pittsburgh is between -167 (BetRivers) and -184 (FanDuel) as road favorites. The Canucks are between +140 (Unibet) and +152 (FanDuel) at home. The Penguins are getting 84% of the cash and 65% of the tickets.
The total opened at 6.5 but has moved down to 6 at a few books. The Over is attracting 64% of the cash and 71% of the tickets.
Penguins vs. Canucks Picks
Penguins vs. Canucks ML Pick
Penguins (-167) ★★★★
We’re getting a great line here through BetRivers, with Pittsburgh mostly at -175 or higher across the board.
This is a great spot for the Penguins. They're the better team overall, and the squad enters with the rest advantage and the goaltender edge, as the Canucks are likely starting Spencer Martin. It should be Tristan Jarry (4-1-0, 2.81 goals-against average, .923 save percentage) for the Penguins.
The Penguins boast the sixth-best xGF% (56.29%) in the league, with the Canucks posting the sixth-worst (44.09%).
All signs point to Pittsburgh cruising in Vancouver. If the line moves from -167 to -180 or so, consider taking the Penguins in regulation at around even money to avoid paying the juice.
Check out our NHL best bets for Friday.
Penguins vs. Canucks O/U Pick
Over 6 (-122) ★★★★
BetRivers is once again giving us a favorable line, with most books setting the total at 6.5.
Both the Penguins and Canucks are leaning toward the Over so far in 2022-23. Pittsburgh averages 4.29 goals for and three goals against per game, with Vancouver at 4.25 goals against and 2.88 goals for.
Martin starting in net for Vancouver should open the game up for the Penguins, who have scored six goals in four of their seven games this season. They’ve also allowed at least two goals in all but one of their seven contests thus far.
Penguins vs. Canucks Prop Pick
Crosby to score (+155) ★★★
Crosby has scored in four of the Penguins’ seven games in 2022-23, including two of the last three. The Canucks are one of the league's worst defensive teams, and the club is starting its backup netminder.
The sniper scored in 27 of 69 games (39%) in 2021-22, and he's off to a hot start this campaign. These aren’t bad odds either at +155.
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Penguins-Canucks picks made 10/28/2022 at 12:58 p.m. ET.
