Pittsburgh Penguins at Vancouver Canucks
Two favorites to contend for the Stanley Cup meet on Night One of the NHL season when the Crosby-less Pittsburgh Penguins head to Vancouver to take on the Canucks. The Penguins are the early favorite to win it all – even video game simulations are picking them.
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When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 6, 2011
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: Versus, CBC
Pens vs. Canucks Betting lines from Bovada.lv
Spread: Canucks -1 ½ (+195)
Moneyline: Penguins +140: Canucks -150
Over/Under: 5 ½ goals
Of course, Sidney Crosby’s health will be a huge determining factor – he starts the season on injured reserve and unfortunately Canucks fans will not get a chance to see the best player on the planet.
Now on to Thursday’s game. Injuries are a huge storyline ahead of the opener. Everyone knows about Crosby being out of the lineup but many outside of Vancouver are impervious to the fact that two thirds of the Canucks second line is also out of action. Ryan Kesler and Mayson Raymond will be out for some time while they recover from their own injury issues.
Penguins vs. Canucks Betting Preview
Both teams will still ice some serious fire power however. For the Pens – Evgeni Malkin is healthy and poised to terrorize the league with a new attitude and an increasingly important role while the last two NHL scoring champion, the Sedins are ready to erase the memories of a disappointing Cup run from last season.
Betting Prediction: Vancouver opted to sit their top players during much of the preseason meaning that the Canucks Studs may not be as prepared as they could be ahead of Thursday’s game. Pittsburgh on the other hand appears to be in mid season form already. Vancouver will be a force in the NHL, guaranteed but with injuries to 2/3 of their second line and questions surrounding their game readiness, I think Pittsburgh takes this one. Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins +140
Here are some interesting Player Props for Thursday’s game:
Evgeni Malkin Goals
Line = 0.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50) – Take the OVER
Daniel Sedin Goals
Line = 0.5 Over (1.60) | Under (1.60) – Take the OVER
Alex Burrows Penalty Minutes
Line = 0.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50) – Take the OVER
Kevin Bieksa Points
Line = 0.5 Over (1.80) | Under (1.45) – Take the OVER
Vancouver Shots on Goal
Line = 31.5 Over (1.55) | Under (1.70) – I like the UNDER
Cody Hodgson Points
Line = 0.5 Over (1.80) | Under (1.45) – No Comment!
