Not every game can be a battle between playoff heavyweights. Tuesday’s two West Coast tilts have just one team in playoff contention in the Vancouver Canucks, and their hopes are on life support. This betting guide offers help finding some value in Tuesday’s late games.
Seattle Kraken (+185) vs Vancouver Canucks (-225)
SEA: 26-46-6, 2.59 GF/GP, 3.46 GA/GP, L10: 5-5-0
VAN: 38-30-11, 2.99 GF/GP, 2.85 GA/GP, L10: 6-2-2
The Vancouver Canucks aren’t mathematically eliminated from the postseason just yet, but let’s face it: They’re emotionally eliminated. After putting together a six-game winning streak, the Canucks have lost three in a row – giving up 16 goals in those three games. Vancouver looked like they were going to finish with a bang, but it’s quickly turned into a whimper.
The Seattle Kraken have put together a typical first season for an expansion team. They’ve been up and down, but mostly down, on the way to battling the Arizona Coyotes for the league’s worst record. The Kraken have won three of their last five, but have lost three in a row on the road. They haven’t been good away from Seattle all season, going 11-25-3 on the road.
Vancouver has won every game against the Kraken this season and has won each of them by at least two goals. They still have a little to battle for, but that hasn’t mattered the last three games. The Canucks are still the better team, but the money line is pricey here. Vancouver’s puck line (-1.5, +180) has some value, but it depends on which team shows up. The best value bet here is probably the over (O6.5, +100).
Anaheim Ducks (+110) vs San Jose Sharks (-135)
ANA: 30-36-14, 2.76 GF/GP, 3.25 GA/GP, L10: 2-6-2
SJ: 32-35-12, 2.59 GF/GP, 3.14 GA/GP, L10: 3-4-3
Neither of these teams has had a season to write home about, and they’re almost to the finish line. These teams have played each other close all season – two of their three games were decided by overtime or shootout. However, the San Jose Sharks dominated their last meeting a month ago, winning 4-1, and they’re the team playing better hockey right now.
The Sharks have won three of their last four, and have scored nine goals over their last two games. San Jose is 11-2 in its last 13 games as a favorite and has won its last nine games as a favorite at home. Their offense has also found a modicum of consistency, getting goals in back-to-back games from the Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl and Nick Bonino lines, so multiple lines appear to be clicking.
The Anaheim Ducks are trending in the other direction. Anaheim has dropped six of its last seven contests and has allowed 28 goals during that stretch. The Ducks have also lost their last five against the Pacific Division and look like they can’t wait for the season to wrap up. Four of the last five games between these teams have gone under, and so have four of the last five in San Jose. Lean toward the favored Sharks in this one, and the under (U6, -120) looks like a decent play here, too.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM
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