Beaten and bruised, the Vancouver Canucks take their show on the road Thursday night for a matchup with the Phoenix Coyotes
Since the 2008 season, Vancouver’s eight games in Phoenix have resulted in 5 overs, 2 unders and a push
The Canucks come into Phoenix off 3-2 win Tuesday against St. Louis. Vancouver dominated the second period of that contest, scoring all three of its goals on 14 shots but was outshot 28-5 in the other two frames. If it weren’t for Cory Schneider’s brilliant play between the pipes it may have been yet another story of ‘the one that got away’ but for now the team has moved on and appears ready for this first visit to Phoenix since a 2-1 loss in February, 2012.
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The Coyotes couldn’t wait to get home following the club’s’ 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday. Phoenix was shutout through 51 minutes in LA before finally snapping a road scoring drought that stretched back to March 6 in Anaheim (four games). The Yotes are just 3-8-3 away from home this year but hold a 10-5-1 record at Jobing.com Arena.
Phoenix is 6-1 in its seven most recent home games and overall this season has outscored opponents 3.25 to 2.75 in the desert heat. The Canucks are 6-4-3 on the road and since 2008; Vancouver’s eight games in Phoenix have gone 5-2-1 “Over” with an average 5.7 total goals scored per game (GPG).
3 + 4 = MORE THAN 5
The first two 3-in-4 road spots this week with a posted total of ‘5’ pushed on Tuesday (O/U) and that brings the March, 2013 record for road teams in those games to 3-15 SU and 10-1-7 O/U. Home teams have a nice 3.8 to 2.4 scoring advantage in those games and the home side has only scored fewer than three goals three times out of 18 games.
Vancouver and Phoenix are “live” in this profile as the Canucks make the first stop on a three game tour (Kings and Avalanche on-deck). Vancouver already played Monday (Wild) and Tuesday this week so Phoenix will not only be their third game in four days but also game No. 3 of a five-game week.
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Given the Coyotes’ recent scoring slump on the road, books had no choice but to hang a ‘5’ on this game and after opening at -121, the “Over” is still available for a great price. It can be tough finding the nerve to bet games “Over” when Vancouver’s scoring is so hit and miss and the power play has just one goal in its last 10 games but the Canucks have shown flashes against Nashville and St. Louis that they are regaining their touch. Phoenix’s overall scoring is way down but as noted, they are a different team on home ice. Phoenix also has a tendency to crank up the intensity when wearing the Desert ‘Dog’ tag (7.25 GPG), and for tonight’s game we are projecting six-plus goals.
Take the Canucks-Coyotes Over 5 (-125)
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