The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks (40-17-7) wrap up their 3-game road trip Thursday night as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights (33-22-7). Puck drop at T-Mobile Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s'lines around the Canucks vs. Golden Knights odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Including Thursday night’s contest, the Canucks have just 6 more road games left this season, and their home matchup Saturday vs. the Winnipeg Jets is the start of a 9-game homestand. Vancouver enters Thursday with a 9-point advantage over the Edmonton Oilers in the standings.
Vegas has struggled mightily of late, dropping 3 in a row and 8 of its last 10. Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon has responded by acquiring the top defenseman that was left on the market D Noah Hanifin in a 3-way trade with the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers. It was the 2nd trade in 2 days for Vegas as McCrimmon also sent a couple of draft picks to the Washington Capitals for RW Anthony Mantha.
This is the 2nd meeting this season between these teams, and they will play 2 more times before the regular season wraps up. In a Nov. 30 meeting, Vegas was victorious 4-1, cashing as a (+105) road underdog.