Pinnacle +135 BET365 +130 Sportsinteraction +130 888Sport +130

Posted at 12:00 PM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Vancouver +135 over Colorado

10:07 PM ET. OT included. The Avalanche roll into Vancouver on the back of some solid goaltending thanks to Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood. Since their goaltending overhaul, Colorado has allowed just 2.57 goals per game in December, a sharp improvement over the 3.72 goals per game they were surrendering earlier in the season. However, this is where we have to challenge the narrative. Colorado’s recent defensive “resurgence” comes with an asterisk. Over their last seven games, they’ve faced just two offenses ranked in the NHL’s top 12. Beating up on middling or bottom-tier teams like Nashville and San Jose doesn’t tell us much about how this team will handle a legit offensive unit like Vancouver.

The Canucks may have taken one on the chin Saturday night in a 5-1 loss to Boston, but context matters. The team was dealing with illness, and it showed in their sluggish start, as Boston outshot them 16-4 in the first period and jumped out to an early lead. Head coach Rick Tocchet didn’t mince words afterward, calling out several players for their lack of urgency, and you can bet this group will be more focused and motivated tonight, as nobody likes to get their teeth kicked in and then be called out for it afterward.

Let’s not forget what the Canucks have been capable of offensively. Vancouver ranks 12th in the league in goals per game (3.21) and has topped their 2½-goal team total in 8 of their last 11 home games. They’re not a team that gets shut down easily, and Thatcher Demko, now in his third game back from injury, is only going to get sharper as he settles in.

The market loves Colorado here because they’re the shinier objec, but Vancouver, as a home underdog, offers tremendous value. The Canucks are in a prime spot to bounce back after being embarrased by the Bruins and we’re all over it.

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