Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and predictions
The Calgary Flames (37-38-5) and Vancouver Canucks (49-22-9) meet Tuesday at Rogers Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Flames vs. Canucksodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Canucks lead 2-1
The Flames picked up a 6-5 win against the Arizona Coyotes Sunday, while winning 3 of the past 4 outings. Calgary lost its most recent game against the Canucks, a 4-2 setback in Vancouver March 23 as the total pushed (6).
The Canucks are 3 points clear of the Edmonton Oilers for 1st place in the Pacific Division with 2 games remaining for each team. Vancouver needs a combination of just 2 points in the next 2 games to clinch, or it needs Edmonton to record 2 or fewer points in the span.
Vancouver won a huge 3-1 game Saturday in Edmonton, cashing as a slight underdog (-105) behind G Casey DeSmith as the Under (6.5) cashed. The Canucks have scored 3 or more goals in 4 straight games, and 6 of the past 7 outings.
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Flames at Canucks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:02 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Flames +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Canucks -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Flames +1.5 (-140) | Canucks -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Flames at Canucks projected goalies
Jacob Markstrom (23-22-2, 2.75 GAA, .906 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Thatcher Demko (34-13-2, 2.47 GAA, .917 SV%, 5 SO)
Markstrom has been skidding lately, allowing 3 or more goals in 3 consecutive losses in April. He is 0-3-0 with a 3.69 GAA and .869 SV% in the 3 outings.
Markstrom also allowed 3 goals on 25 shots in a loss in Vancouver March 23 against his former organization, while going 1-2-0 with a 2.76 GAA and .882 SV% in 3 outings against the Canucks this season.
Demko returns from a lower-body injury suffered March 9 against the Winnipeg Jets. He has missed the past 14 games, but the All-Star returns to get his feet wet and get reps before heading into the postseason. The Canucks went 7-5-2 in his absence.
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Flames at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Canucks 4, Flames 3
Moneyline
The Canucks (-225) will cost more than 2 times the potential return, and that's just a little too much risk for not enough reward.
While, yes, Vancouver is playing for a division title -- and will also be doing a little scoreboard watching -- the juice is a lot to risk, especially with Demko returning from an LBI. It remains to be seen if his conditioning is up to snuff, or if he'll have a little bit of rust, too.
PASS and look to the puck line instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
The FLAMES +1.5 (-140) aren't priced out of line if you'd like a little bit of insurance.
The Canucks have far more at stake in this game, but it's a little concerning to see Demko return. He is an All-Star, but it's an important game, and we'll see if he is able to instantly regain his form, or if it takes him a while to track pucks in top form. It's likely to take a couple of periods to get on track, and this could be closer than Vancouver fans, and betting backers, would like.
Over/Under
OVER 6 (-120) might be the best play here. We've seen Markstrom go off the rails in April, and we have a goalie from Vancouver coming back from a several weeks-long injury. Offense could reign supreme in this Pacific Division battle.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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