Face-off: 2200 ET, 19/04/2022
Arena: Rogers Arena
Vancouver have made an admirable effort to snatch a late wild card spot and are chasing a seventh straight win when entertaining Ottawa.
All bar one of their last six victories have been in regular time and by more than one clear goal, with the Canucks looking full of energy.
We’re taking 2.0 for them to cover a start of 1.5 on the spread again here in our Vancouver Canucks vs Ottawa Senators predictions.
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Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver looked set to face a tricky test when hosting Dallas last night but finished strongly to storm to a 6-2 success.
Elias Pettersson had two goals and an assist as the Canucks closed to within five points of the Stars and Nashville in the race to reach the playoffs.
Jason Dickinson, who had a goal and two assists, stated: “We don’t want to let teams dictate and bring the game to us. It’s up to us to take it to them.
“We’ve been playing that way for a good chunk of time now because we’re desperate – and that’s what desperate hockey is.”
Vancouver are also just four points behind Los Angeles for third in the Pacific Division, so there is everything still to play for.
Connor Garland has epitomised the Canucks’ fighting spirit with eight points in six games, earning praise for his “tenacity” from head coach Bruce Boudreau.
Looking at the NHL odds, Garland is 17.0 to net first here and 3.25 to score at any time.
Ottawa Senators Odds
Ottawa have been playing like a typical team out of playoffs contention, blowing hot and cold at 5-4-1 this month.
Last night’s 4-2 loss at Seattle was a lacklustre effort, with the Senators held to a season-low 14 shots.
“I just didn’t think we played our game long enough,” declared defenceman Nick Holden.
“We had a few stretches where we played real fast, playing behind them, and scored some goals and had some success doing that.
“But I felt like we were turning too many pucks over and playing a little slow.”
Ottawa are always capable of turning things around on any given night but Vancouver have to be rated as a percentage pick here.
Let’s finish off our NHL predictions by taking 6.5 for the Canucks to oblige by exactly two goals.
Additional stats
Last result:
VANCOUVER 6-2 Dallas
Seattle 4-2 OTTAWA
Season head-to-head: Ottawa 2-6 Vancouver
