The Vancouver Canucks (8-9-1) meet the Carolina Hurricanes (11-5-0) in a Friday contest in Raleigh, North Carolina. The opening faceoff from the Lenovo Center will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Canucks vs. Hurricanes odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Carolina won 2-0
Vancouver, which is opening a 3-game road trip with this test in Raleigh, last played on Tuesday when the +109 Canucks lost at home to the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 (Over 6). Vancouver has allowed 4.50 goals per game across 6 contests this month.
Carolina is continuing a 3-game homestand that opened Tuesday with the Hurricanes falling 4-1 (Under 6) to the +135 Washington Capitals. The setback snapped a 4-game win streak.
Canucks at Hurricanes odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:27 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Canucks +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Hurricanes -250 (bet $250 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-115) | Hurricanes -1.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)Canucks at Hurricanes projected goalies
Kevin Lankinen (3-5-1, 3.57 GAA, .885 SV%) vs. Pyotr Kochetkov (2-0-0, 1.47 GAA, .936 SV%)
Lankinen played the final 2 periods in Tuesday’s loss to the Jets. He spelled G Thatcher Demko who left the game with a lower-body injury. Lankinen stopped 20-of-21 pucks.
Kochetkov opened the season on the IR. He has played 2 full games so far and was also in for 4 minutes of the Tuesday contest against the Caps. The 26-year-old played 47 games for the ‘Canes last season. He registered a 2.60 GAA and .897 SV%.
Canucks at Hurricanes picks and predictionsPrediction
Hurricanes 5, Canucks 3
PASS. Look for better return on the puck line.
The Hurricanes are 3-0-1 on 2-day rest. They swept a pair of games from the Canucks last season including a 2-0 triumph on home ice.
Carolina gets almost all its offensive value from a very strong 5-on-5 game. The ‘Canes have been successful on just 12.5% of their power plays. But the 5-on-5 analytics are especially string of late, and Carolina is hosting a Vancouver squad that has filed an increased 8.9 penalty minutes per game since Oct. 28. Vancouver foes have gone 10-of-21 on the PP over the club’s last 7 games.
The venue here matters: The Canucks expected-goal figures would indicate the club is fortunate to be 5-4-0 away from home.
BET CAROLINA -1.5 (-105).
The Over has cashed in 7 straight Vancouver games and in 3 of Carolina’s last 4.
The defense and goaltending has been leaky of late on both sides. Carolina’s 3.69 GPG average ranks third in the league, and that figure has been earned largely in 5-on-5 play. Vancouver’s even-strength play hasn’t been nearly as strong, but the Canucks expected-goals figures would show room for growth in an overall scoring average of 2.83 GPG.
The Vancouver power play has scored in back-to-back games and is operating with 24.1% efficiency over the club’s last 10 games. And the Canucks have allowed 4 PP goals over their last 2 games.
The goalie matchup does nothing to tamp down expectations for a healthy scoring exchange. And the 2-day rest interval plays into a high-scoring lean as well. The Canucks have averaged 4.50 GPG on such rest; the ‘Canes check in at 3.75 GPG.
The OVER 6.5 (+100) is the value side Friday.
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