The Vegas Golden Knights had their share of ups and downs before the COVID-19 pause. However, no team has looked better or more powerful than Vegas since the restart in the NHL Hub of Edmonton. Vegas steamrolled the outgunned Chicago Blackhawks in five games to open the playoffs after curb stomping opponents in the round robin to gain top seed in the Western Conference. The Vancouver Canucks have become the Cinderella story of the Western Conference after their six-game series win over the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. Vancouver’s success hasn’t been an accident as they have been one of the most complete 200-foot teams since play resumed.
Futures Odds Analysis
The Vegas Golden Knights are a +350 favorite to win the Stanley Cup and a +130 pick to win the Western Conference championship. Vegas opened as a -275 favorite to win this best of seven series with the Canucks, who opened as a +225 dog to upset the Golden Knights. Vancouver is a +1500 pick to win the Stanley Cup and is at +600 to win the Western Conference.
Vegas is an understandable favorite as a team that has had more success over the past two years than the Canucks. Another added element to the Golden Knights price is local Las Vegas money flooding in on them. This makes the Canucks an enticing underdog that is in good form at a potentially enhanced price.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Series Schedule
Game 1: Sunday, August 23, 2020, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Game 2: Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 9:45 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Game 3: Thursday, August 27, 2020, 9:45 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Game 4: Saturday, August 29, 2020, 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Game 5: Monday, August 31, 2020, TBD
Game 6: Tuesday, September 1, 2020, TBD
Game 7: Thursday September 3, 2020, TBD
Series Price at BookMaker.eu
Vancouver Canucks +710
Vegas Golden Knights -1000
Head to Head Results
The only two meetings between these two teams this season were split. Vegas has dominated the Canucks long term with eight wins in their 10 meetings against Vancouver. The last three meetings between these two teams went over the total.
Key Stats
Vancouver has been one of the hottest and biggest money makers at the Hub. The Canucks have won seven out of ten games and are second behind on the Islanders for profit margin. Vancouver ranks fourth for goal scoring since play resumed. Vegas is the third highest scoring team since the restart.
Players to Watch
Vancouver center Bo Horvat has been on fire with a team best six goals. Center J.T. Miller has five goals and 10 assists while C Elias Pettersson has four goals with nine assists. Defenseman Quinn Hughes has one goal with nine assists and a plus three.
Vegas has shown tremendous depth with several top contributors led by RW Mark Stone with four goals and four assists. Defenseman Shea Theodore has been outstanding with four goals and three assists with a plus six.
Between the Pipes
Vancouver goaltender Jacob Markstrom has emerged as a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate with a 7-3 record, 2.44 goals against average, .929 save percentage, and one shutout.
Vegas has an interesting goaltending situation that could blow up into a controversy. Chicago Blackhawks import Robin Lehner has played six of their eight games. Lehner is 5-1 with 2.44 goals against average and save percentage of .904. Marc Andre Fleury has been the marquee man of the Vegas franchise but is now riding the pine with a 2-0 record, 2.50 goals against average and save percentage of just .886.
NHL Odds Pick
In this situation the Canucks are getting a better than deserved price and are riding a hot hand. Vegas is overpriced and Lehner’s viability remains in question. Upset Alert!
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks
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