<p>The Vancouver Canucks will look to earn their third straight victory as they visit the Nashville Predators, who rank 29th in points percentage this season.</p>
<p>While the Canucks&#8217; season has been a significant disappointment to this point, their last two performances should help instil some optimism during a <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/jim-rutherford-elias-pettersson-jt-miller-rift-no-good-solution-keep-vancouver-canucks-core-together">dramatic time</a> for the club. The Canucks played a strong team game in their recent wins over the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues and can move back into a playoff spot with a win in this matchup.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ll detail the relevant game notes, as well as outline my favourite betting angle below.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="325" data-promotion-id="31838" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Canucks vs. Predators odds</h2>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Canucks Moneyline</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">+129</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Predators Moneyline</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">-147</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Puck Line</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Canucks +1.5 (-210), Predators -1.5 (+183)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Total</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Over 5.5 (-111), Under 5.5 (-101)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>Odds courtesy of Pinnacle and are subject to change.</em></p>
<h2><strong>Vancouver Canucks</strong></h2>
<p>Thanks to a strong performance versus the Blues on Monday, the Canucks have finally won two straight games, which has coincided with back-to-back regulation losses from the Calgary Flames. While it&#8217;s certainly not time to plan the parade, it finally feels like there&#8217;s a little hope surrounding the team once again, even if the situation between star forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson is a massive distraction.</p>
<p>The Canucks allowed only four high-danger scoring chances versus the Blues on Monday and generated 3.94 expected goals for from 30 shots on goal.</p>
<p>Miller got himself engaged in the game with a fight versus Blues Captain Brayden Schenn early in the first period before stretching the Canucks lead to three with a power play goal early in the second. In 10:27 of time-on-ice together, the Canucks second line of Miller, Brock Boeser and Danton Heinen held a 74.1% expected goal share.</p>
<p>Elias Pettersson (D) also looked <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/statsies-vancouver-canucks-pettersson-d-finishes-second-best-xgf-win-blues" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quite solid once again</a> and is showing strong signs of potential for a blue line in desperate need of a boost. Tyler Myers also looked excellent in his return from a three-game suspension, recorded a goal and an assist in one of his best games games of the season.</p>
<p>While he was not named one of the game&#8217;s three stars, Quinn Hughes was excellent once again as he continues his push for a second consecutive Norris Trophy. While it&#8217;s well known that the Canucks&#8217; Captain is still dealing with a hand injury, he has put up six goals and 14 points in 11 games since returning to the lineup, averaging 26:04 of TOI per game.</p>
<p>Kevin Lankinen has played quite well throughout the Canucks last two wins but will take on the role of backup in this matchup as Thatcher Demko has been confirmed as the team&#8217;s starting goaltender. Demko holds a save percentage of just .867% in his 12 starts this season, allowing 3.47 goals against per game.</p>
<p>Kiefer Sherwood will remain out of the lineup due to injury, but Dakota Joshua and Noah Juulsen are slated to make their return, according to line rushes at morning skate per Sportsnet&#8217;s Dan Murphy. Joshua has been out of the lineup since January 3rd while Juulsen has been on the shelf for January 14th. <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-call-up-red-hot-aatu-raty-ahl-abbotsford" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aatu Raty has been recalled from the AHL</a> ahead of this matchup but it is unclear whether or not he will come into the lineup.</p>
<h2><strong>Nashville Predators</strong></h2>
<p>It might be too little too late, but the Nashville Predators have started to live up to their lofty preseason expectations and should provide the Canucks a tough test in this matchup.</p>
<p>The Predators hold a record of 9-6-0 over the last 15 games and have scored 3.53 goals per game in that span, which is the highest mark in the NHL. They hold the league&#8217;s third-highest expected goal share in that span (57.51%) and rank second in xGF/60. Their power play has succeeded on 31.8% of opportunities.</p>
<p>The Predators have stacked their three highest salaried forwards, Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault, onto one line recently and have been rewarded with a ton of production. Over the last 10 games, the trio has combined for 16 goals and 40 points and has outscored opponents 17-12 this season.</p>
<p>Shutting down that trio will go a long way to the Canucks finding this success in this matchup, and the task of doing so will likely be handled by Hughes&#8217; defensive pairing as much as possible.</p>
<p>Star netminder Juuse Saros has certainly not had one of his better seasons, which is one key reason for the Predators disappointing record. Saros holds a .899% save percentage and a -2.0 GSAx rating in 37 appearances entering this matchup. Despite their strong results, the Predators have allowed 3.40 goals against per game over the last 15 games.</p>
<p><div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="31839" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
</p>
<h2><strong>Best bets for Canucks vs. Predators</strong></h2>
<p>The Predators have elevated their game considerably for a fairly lengthy sample of play and have been quite strong overall at home this season, with a record of 12-8-3. Their top line of Forsberg, Stamkos and Marchessault has been tremendous, and all factor in on one of the league&#8217;s hottest power plays.</p>
<p>Targeting that trio in the prop market could be one way to bet on this matchup, particularly if you don&#8217;t believe Demko is likely to find his form anytime soon. Backing Forsberg to score a goal is certainly tempting, given his recent dominance, but it is important to consider that the number for him to score is about as short as we see for any player in the NHL.</p>
<p>Forsberg is at +114 to score in this matchup on Pinnacle. For reference, red-hot three-time Rocket Richard winner Auston Matthews is priced at -102 to score versus a scuffling Minnesota Wild side tonight.</p>
<p>While Hughes is certainly not known for his goal-scoring, a price of +400 looks to hold value given his recent play.</p>
<p>Hughes has scored five goals over the last eight games and has had 47 shot attempts in that span. He&#8217;s done a great job finding shooting lanes to let his highly accurate wrist shot go into traffic from the blue line, and is also capable of beating goalies clean when plays open up.</p>
<p>A lot of his recent shot attempts seem more dangerous than analytics seem to suggest, and I feel +400 is a good number to see if the Canucks Captain can manage another goal in this matchup.</p>
<p><strong>Best bet: Quinn Hughes to Score a Goal +400 (Pinnacle, Play to 380)</strong></p>


The Vancouver Canucks will look to earn their third straight victory as they visit the Nashville Predators, who rank 29th in points percentage this season.

While the Canucks' season has been a significant disappointment to this point, their last two performances should help instil some optimism during a <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/jim-rutherford-elias-pettersson-jt-miller-rift-no-good-solution-keep-vancouver-canucks-core-together">dramatic time</a> for the club. The Canucks played a strong team game in their recent wins over the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues and can move back into a playoff spot with a win in this matchup.

I'll detail the relevant game notes, as well as outline my favourite betting angle below.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="325" data-promotion-id="31838" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Canucks vs. Predators odds</h2>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Canucks Moneyline</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">+129</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Predators Moneyline</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">-147</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Puck Line</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Canucks +1.5 (-210), Predators -1.5 (+183)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Total</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Over 5.5 (-111), Under 5.5 (-101)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<em>Odds courtesy of Pinnacle and are subject to change.</em>
<h2><strong>Vancouver Canucks</strong></h2>
Thanks to a strong performance versus the Blues on Monday, the Canucks have finally won two straight games, which has coincided with back-to-back regulation losses from the Calgary Flames. While it's certainly not time to plan the parade, it finally feels like there's a little hope surrounding the team once again, even if the situation between star forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson is a massive distraction.

The Canucks allowed only four high-danger scoring chances versus the Blues on Monday and generated 3.94 expected goals for from 30 shots on goal.

Miller got himself engaged in the game with a fight versus Blues Captain Brayden Schenn early in the first period before stretching the Canucks lead to three with a power play goal early in the second. In 10:27 of time-on-ice together, the Canucks second line of Miller, Brock Boeser and Danton Heinen held a 74.1% expected goal share.

Elias Pettersson (D) also looked <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/statsies-vancouver-canucks-pettersson-d-finishes-second-best-xgf-win-blues" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quite solid once again</a> and is showing strong signs of potential for a blue line in desperate need of a boost. Tyler Myers also looked excellent in his return from a three-game suspension, recorded a goal and an assist in one of his best games games of the season.

While he was not named one of the game's three stars, Quinn Hughes was excellent once again as he continues his push for a second consecutive Norris Trophy. While it's well known that the Canucks' Captain is still dealing with a hand injury, he has put up six goals and 14 points in 11 games since returning to the lineup, averaging 26:04 of TOI per game.

Kevin Lankinen has played quite well throughout the Canucks last two wins but will take on the role of backup in this matchup as Thatcher Demko has been confirmed as the team's starting goaltender. Demko holds a save percentage of just .867% in his 12 starts this season, allowing 3.47 goals against per game.

Kiefer Sherwood will remain out of the lineup due to injury, but Dakota Joshua and Noah Juulsen are slated to make their return, according to line rushes at morning skate per Sportsnet's Dan Murphy. Joshua has been out of the lineup since January 3rd while Juulsen has been on the shelf for January 14th. <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-call-up-red-hot-aatu-raty-ahl-abbotsford" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aatu Raty has been recalled from the AHL</a> ahead of this matchup but it is unclear whether or not he will come into the lineup.
<h2><strong>Nashville Predators</strong></h2>
It might be too little too late, but the Nashville Predators have started to live up to their lofty preseason expectations and should provide the Canucks a tough test in this matchup.

The Predators hold a record of 9-6-0 over the last 15 games and have scored 3.53 goals per game in that span, which is the highest mark in the NHL. They hold the league's third-highest expected goal share in that span (57.51%) and rank second in xGF/60. Their power play has succeeded on 31.8% of opportunities.

The Predators have stacked their three highest salaried forwards, Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault, onto one line recently and have been rewarded with a ton of production. Over the last 10 games, the trio has combined for 16 goals and 40 points and has outscored opponents 17-12 this season.

Shutting down that trio will go a long way to the Canucks finding this success in this matchup, and the task of doing so will likely be handled by Hughes' defensive pairing as much as possible.

Star netminder Juuse Saros has certainly not had one of his better seasons, which is one key reason for the Predators disappointing record. Saros holds a .899% save percentage and a -2.0 GSAx rating in 37 appearances entering this matchup. Despite their strong results, the Predators have allowed 3.40 goals against per game over the last 15 games.<p><div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="31839" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div></p>
<h2><strong>Best bets for Canucks vs. Predators</strong></h2>
The Predators have elevated their game considerably for a fairly lengthy sample of play and have been quite strong overall at home this season, with a record of 12-8-3. Their top line of Forsberg, Stamkos and Marchessault has been tremendous, and all factor in on one of the league's hottest power plays.

Targeting that trio in the prop market could be one way to bet on this matchup, particularly if you don't believe Demko is likely to find his form anytime soon. Backing Forsberg to score a goal is certainly tempting, given his recent dominance, but it is important to consider that the number for him to score is about as short as we see for any player in the NHL.

Forsberg is at +114 to score in this matchup on Pinnacle. For reference, red-hot three-time Rocket Richard winner Auston Matthews is priced at -102 to score versus a scuffling Minnesota Wild side tonight.

While Hughes is certainly not known for his goal-scoring, a price of +400 looks to hold value given his recent play.

Hughes has scored five goals over the last eight games and has had 47 shot attempts in that span. He's done a great job finding shooting lanes to let his highly accurate wrist shot go into traffic from the blue line, and is also capable of beating goalies clean when plays open up.

A lot of his recent shot attempts seem more dangerous than analytics seem to suggest, and I feel +400 is a good number to see if the Canucks Captain can manage another goal in this matchup.

<strong>Best bet: Quinn Hughes to Score a Goal +400 (Pinnacle, Play to 380)</strong>

NHL odds, betting preview (Jan. 29): Canucks vs. Predators predictions

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