Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction, 12/18/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vancouver Canucks

Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC

TV: Sportsnet

Thatcher Demko and the Vancouver Canucks (13-15-2) play the Toronto Maple Leafs (20-8-2) at Rogers Arena on Saturday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs went home feeling good about their game by earning a 5-1 win against the Oilers in their previous contest. Toronto accumulated 6 mins in the box in this outing. The Maple Leafs had a good offensive performance in the win. Furthermore, they had 3 power play chances and scored 1 goal. While out there on the ice, they scored on 5 of the 25 shots they put on goal.

The Maple Leafs have had 942 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .920. When at even strength, the Maple Leafs let the opposition score 60 goals while having 72 of their own. Toronto Maple Leafs opponents have recorded 84 power play tries (10th in hockey) and have scored 15 goals in those attempts. For the year, they have recorded 42 points and their points % is .700. Toronto has taken 1,025 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.6%. In reference to their scoring, the Toronto Maple Leafs have accumulated 98 goals (5th in hockey) over the course of the season and have given up 75. Toronto has 85 power play opportunities and they have scored 26 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 30.59%.

The player in the crease for this game is Jack Campbell. Opponents have notched 240 goals against Campbell in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.35. Campbell has played in 109 contests over the course of his hockey career. He has a save percentage of .922 during his 6,118 minutes in the crease. He has amassed a mark of 55-35-10 and he was named the starter in 100 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Campbell has accounted for 59 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .590. Campbell has seen 3,069 shot attempts against him and has recorded 2,829 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Vancouver went up against the Blue Jackets in a matchup where the Canucks ended up with the win by a final score of 4-3. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this outing and converted 1 goal out of those opportunities. The Canucks had 4 goals of the 39 shots on goal they attempted.

Vancouver has attempted 1,002 shots (3rd in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 7.29%, while allowing the other team 957 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 66.67% on their opponents 93 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.9%. They have earned 99 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 19.19%. The Canucks have tallied 54 goals at even strength and 19 goals (7th in the league) while on the power play. They have allowed 87 goals to be scored by of a combination of 56 goals at even strength and 31 goals while they were shorthanded. For the year, the Vancouver Canucks have accounted for 73 goals, 28 points, and a points percentage of .467.

Across the ice you are going to see Thatcher Demko in the crease. Demko is the owner of a lifetime mark of 46-42-5 and has played in 96 games. Demko's quality start rate comes out to 57.0% and he has 53 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has recorded 2,797 stops out of the 3,066 shots tried, giving him a save % of .912. His opposition is averaging 2.86 goals/game and he has given up 269 goals altogether. He was named a starter in 93 games and has racked up 5,634 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto

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