Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction, 3/2/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks

Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (-188) Canucks (+155)

The Vancouver Canucks (24-31-5) are hosting the Minnesota Wild (34-21-6) at Rogers Arena on Thursday. The moneyline on this game has the Wild at -188 and the Canucks are priced at +155. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Minnesota Wild had a decent effort after finishing in a 1-1 tie against the Islanders in the last game they played. Minnesota accumulated 5 penalty minutes in this matchup. The Wild offense left a lot to be desired in this game. They also had 1 opportunity with more players on the ice but didn't net one. In the game, they scored on 1 of the 31 shots they attempted.

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Minnesota Wild opponents have totaled 192 power play opportunities (12th in professional hockey) and have come away with 34 goals in those chances. The Wild so far have had 1,837 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .911. Minnesota has taken 1,906 shots and holds a shot percentage of 8.9%. At even strength, the Wild have allowed 130 goals while scoring 126 themselves. Minnesota comes into the game with 187 power play opportunities and they have scored 44 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 23.53%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 74 points and their points percentage comes in at .607. In reference to scoring goals, the Minnesota Wild have racked up 170 goals (25th in the NHL) so far this year and have conceded 164.

The player between the pipes for this game is Filip Gustavsson. Gustavsson has played in 55 matchups during his hockey career. He has amassed a mark of 26-21-6 and got the start in 49 games. Opponents have tallied 135 goals versus Gustavsson in his career and his average for goals against per game is 2.57. Gustavsson has had 1,630 shots against him and has recorded 1,495 total saves. His save percentage currently is .917 for his 3,151 mins on the ice. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Gustavsson has 33 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .673.

When they were on the ice last, Vancouver went up against the Stars in a matchup where the Canucks got the win by a mark of 5-4. The Canucks earned 5 goals out of the 21 shots on goal they took. They had 3 power play attempts in this outing and scored 1 out of those attempts.

For the season, the Vancouver Canucks have earned a total of 201 goals, 53 points, in addition to a points percentage of .442. They have allowed 238 goals to be scored by of a combination of 179 goals at even strength and 59 goals while they were shorthanded. The Canucks have scored 155 goals at even strength and 46 goals (8th in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have earned 202 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 22.77%. Vancouver has taken 1,840 shots (20th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.92%, while allowing the opposition 1,873 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 66.67% on their oppositions 177 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 87.3%.

Across the ice you will find Thatcher Demko in the crease. He has recorded 4,354 saves out of the 4,788 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .909. Demko is the owner of a lifetime record of 71-63-13 and has played in 152 contests. He has started in 146 contests and has been on the ice for 8,827 mins. Demko's quality start rate comes out to 53.4% and he has accumulated 78 quality starts in his pro hockey career. Teams are averaging 2.95 goals per contest and he has surrendered 434 goals altogether.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Vancouver (+155)

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