Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction, 12/7/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks

Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+117) Canucks (-141)

Rogers Arena is where the Vancouver Canucks (16-9-1) will attempt to defeat the Minnesota Wild (9-10-4) on Thursday. The line on this matchup has Minnesota at +117 while Vancouver opens at -141. The over/under is 7.

The Minnesota Wild were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-2 victory against the Flames their last time on the ice. The Wild had a good offensive output in this victory. In the game, they converted 5 of the 29 shots they tried. Furthermore, they had 3 power play opportunities and were able to notch 1 goal. Minnesota amassed 13 penalty mins in this matchup.

Get all of our NHL Expert Picks

At even strength, the Wild have conceded 56 goals while earning 58 as an offensive unit. Minnesota Wild opponents have amassed 83 power play opportunities (10th in professional hockey) and have come away with 24 goals in those chances. Concerning scoring goals, the Minnesota Wild have notched 74 goals (16th in pro hockey) for the year and have conceded 80. Minnesota has tried 716 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.3%. For the season, they have 22 points and their points percentage comes in at .478. The Wild so far have had 698 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .885. Minnesota has accounted for 85 power play opportunities and they have notched 16 goals out of those tries, earning them a rate of 18.82%.

The man in goal for this game is Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury has participated in 995 games throughout his professional hockey career. He has a win-loss record of 548-319-93 and he has gotten the start in 837 games. Opponents have been able to score 2,486 goals versus Fleury in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.59. Fleury has had 28,372 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 25,886 saves. His save percentage sits at .912 during his 57,641 mins in the crease. Over the course of his pro career, Fleury has tallied 461 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .551.

The last time they were on the ice, Vancouver faced the Devils in a game where the Canucks took the loss by a final of 6-5. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this contest and converted 1 out of those tries. The Canucks scored 5 goals out of the 33 shots on goal they were seeking.

Vancouver has attempted 755 shots (15th in pro hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 13.38%, while allowing the other team 786 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 74.39% on the other teams 82 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.1%. They have earned 95 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 27.37%. The Canucks have 75 goals at even strength and 26 goals (3rd in the NHL) while on the power play. They have permitted 70 goals to be scored by of a combination of 49 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the season, the Vancouver Canucks have earned 101 goals, 33 points, in addition to a points percentage of .635.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Thatcher Demko protecting the goal. Demko is sitting with a career record of 93-74-15 and has played in 187 games. Demko's rate of quality starts is 56.4% and he has qualified for 102 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has accrued 5,314 saves out of 5,833 shots taken against him, giving him a percentage of .911. The opposition is averaging 2.85 goals per game and he has relinquished 519 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 181 contests and has been on the ice for 10,913 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota (+117)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here