Face-off: 2200 ET, 26/04/2022
Arena: Rogers Arena
Vancouver’s hopes of making the playoffs have been dashed by a trio of defeats but they can at least stop the rot by seeing off Seattle.
The Canucks have won all three previous head-to-head meetings and will be keen to give their home fans something to cheer about after a difficult week.
We’re taking 2.1 for a home win by more than one clear goal in our Vancouver Canucks vs Seattle Kraken predictions.
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Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver were challenging for a wild card spot after six straight wins earlier this month but have just faltered on the run-in.
Losing a shootout to Ottawa at this venue was a psychological blow and 6-3 defeats at Minnesota and Calgary all but sealed their fate.
The Canucks were tied at 2-2 after 5:36 of the third period when visiting the Flames but fell apart in the final quarter of an hour.
Even so, Vancouver are an admirable 30-15-9 since Bruce Boudreau replaced Travis Green in early December and deserve a bit more success.
“We pushed until now and I expect us for the next three games to keep pushing again,” Boudreau said. “But we know that our ultimate goal is probably not going to be reached.”
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson added: “There’s no quitting in that room. We’ve shown it so many times this year.”
The Canucks have beaten Seattle 5-2 twice and 4-2 once this term, so 2.9 they prevail in regular time and both teams score more than one goal again appeals from the NHL odds.
Seattle Kraken Odds
Seattle’s inaugural campaign has been predictably plagued by inconsistency, as highlighted by this month’s 5-6-0 record.
A hat-trick of home wins over New Jersey, Ottawa and Colorado were followed by defeats at Minnesota and Dallas.
However, one player who has been reliable is Yanni Gourde, who has 20 goals and 26 assists after netting his 100th NHL strike in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Stars.
Coach Dave Hakstol said: “I think people see it every day, just the fashion how hard he plays, the ability he plays with.
“He’s played in all situations. In some cases, it’s probably a little bit unfair to him.
“Probably, some nights we use him too much, but especially the second half of the year, he has thrived and adjusted.”
The 30-year-old is 3.8 to add to his goal tally here and 1.95 to pick up any kind of point, so let’s add those selections to our NHL predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
Calgary 6-3 VANCOUVER
Dallas 3-2 SEATTLE
Season head-to-head: Vancouver 5-2 Seattle, Seattle 2-5 Vancouver, Seattle 2-4 Vancouver
