Canucks vs. Utah Hockey Club prediction, tips and odds for today’s NHL game

The Vancouver Canucks have won two of their last three games against some of the league’s strongest teams such as the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche. Tonight they face the Utah Hockey Club, who have quietly won four of their last five games.

It should be an exciting back-and-forth game, but my Cancuks vs. Utah predictions are still for some goals to come.

Find out why with my NHL picks on Wednesday, December 18th before this puck drop at 10pm on Sportsnet Pacific.

Canucks vs Utah Hockey Club Prediction

My Canucks picks
Over 6 (+104 at Pinnacle)

My Canucks analysis

The Vancouver Canucks are nowhere near the team they were last year, but several key players – notably Thatcher Demko and JT Miller – have missed time.

Over the last 10 games, the offense hasn’t been anything to worry about. While the Canucks play 5-3-2, they score 3.30 goals per game and the power play has a success rate of 28%.

Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk have been key players in offensive production lately. Hughes scored 15 points in that span (three goals, 12 assists), Pettersson added 11 points (two goals, nine assists) and DeBrusk was a force with eight goals and one helper. DeBrusk went scoreless in two straight games but scored in six of his last nine.

Vancouver occupies the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, but this group’s away record stands out: 10-2-1 on the highway.

Demko celebrates his first win of the season after missing 27 games due to injury. He made 30 saves against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night to give the Canucks a 3-1 win, but his first three games overall weren’t as strong. Demko is 1-1-1 with a SV% of 0.881 and a goals-against average of 3.32. It will certainly take a few more games before he gets back into his typical rhythm. Demko is expected to win the contract this evening.

While the Canucks’ offense has been working well of late, their defense and goaltending haven’t been on track. Vancouver is allowing 3.10 goals per game in their last 10 games. Allowing goals is common for this team, but it doesn’t make much sense as they were pretty strong when it came to stopping dangerous chances.

The Canucks are below average when it comes to team defense. They are only expected to concede 2.71 goals per game, but have allowed 3.03 at all strengths.

On the other hand, the Utah Hockey Club has scored at least four goals in five consecutive games. Over the past two weeks, Utah has been the third-highest scoring team in the NHL, averaging 4.20 goals and a 42.9% power play percentage.

Over the last eight games, Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller have been at full speed. Guenther and Cooley each scored three goals with six assists in that time, while Keller scored four goals – three on the PP – with four assists.

Karel Vejmelka gets the Utah commitment tonight and his numbers are pretty impressive. His record doesn’t reflect well on how he played. Vejmelka has posted a 6-7-2 record with a 2.40 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.

However, Vejmelka has a .905 save percentage in his last three starts and has conceded eight goals on 84 shots.

Odds analysis Canucks vs. Utah Hockey Club

Utah is a slight home favorite at -116, while the visiting Canucks are +105. Vancouver has played better on the road than at home, which could offset Utah’s recent strong streak.

The total opened at 5.5. With money coming in on the over, this number has increased to 6.0. Considering how well both offenses played and how shaky the defense looked, this move makes sense.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Canucks vs Utah Hockey Club odds

Canucks vs Utah Hockey Club live odds

Canucks vs. Utah Hockey Club opening odds

• Puck line: Vancouver +1.5 (-255) | Utah -1.5 (+213)
• Money line: Vancouver +104 | Utah -117
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-119) | Below 5.5 (+104)

Odds courtesy of Pinnacle

Canucks vs Utah Hockey Club Trend

The over has been reached in 60% of the Canucks’ last 10 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Utah Hockey Club.

How to watch Canucks vs. Utah Hockey Club

Canucks vs. Utah Hockey Club recent injuries

Pages on this topic