In this segment of NHL Predictions on Last Word on Hockey, the Vancouver Canucks take on the Colorado Avalanche. Both teams are currently in different positions regarding the chase for Stanley Cup Playoff contention. While Colorado has already clinched their spot in the postseason, Vancouver was eliminated from contention last night when the Minnesota Wild took an 8–7 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks. Despite this, the Canucks can still make tonight’s game an entertaining one.
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN+, Altitude, Altitude+, Sportsnet
Vancouver can sweep their season series against the Avalanche with a win on Thursday night. Despite the offensive prowess of Colorado’s stars, the Canucks have outscored the Avalanche 6–1 head-to-head this season. Last season, Colorado won all three of their matches against Vancouver. The Canucks’ last win in Denver was on November 23, 2022.
Vancouver is coming off a record-breaking effort against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. They scored three goals in the last minute of regulation to come back from down 5–2. Kiefer Sherwood scored in overtime to keep the Canucks’ playoff hopes alive at the time. Sherwood made headlines in the Canucks’ first match against the Avalanche this season, as he scored his first career hat trick in a dominant 3–1 win in Vancouver on December 16.
Tonight’s game could also become an important day in Canucks history. Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes is currently three points away from breaking the franchise record in career points by a defenseman. Right now, Alex Edler holds the record with 409 career points as a Canuck.
The Avalanche enter this matchup with weak numbers against the Canucks. They have only scored one goal in the past two meetings. While their offence has stalled in these matchups, Colorado now boasts a near brand-new lineup. Trade deadline acquisition Charlie Coyle has six points in the past three games as well as a shootout winner from the game before. Martin Nečas, who was on the team in their last match against Vancouver, has nine points in his last 10 games. As well, while he is unlikely to play tonight, the Avalanche can expect to see captain Gabriel Landeskog back again soon. The forward was loaned to the Colorado Eagles for a conditioning stint.
Right now, the Avalanche have a firm hold on the Central Division’s third playoff spot. With the Stars playing excellently as of late (save for Tuesday’s collapse), it looks as though Colorado will take Dallas on in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A win against the Canucks could help the Avalanche slide into the Stars’ current spot, though this would not change who they’d face off against. This playoff series will not be one to miss, as the Avalanche would be taking on a former ally in Mikko Rantanen.
Regardless of whether or not playoffs are still realistic, the Canucks have shown a no-quit attitude that occasionally arrives a little too late. Despite their elimination, expect the Canucks to repeat their spirited Tuesday night effort tonight.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-3.
BleacherNation.com has the over/under for tonight’s game as 5.5. Given Colorado’s avalanche of offence, which has scored 19 goals in the past five games, it’s unlikely that Vancouver will be able to post another shutout against the Avalanche.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team
Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict
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