PREMIUM
Rogers' SURE SHOT SPECIAL **$20 TUESDAY**
(NHL) Anaheim vs. Vancouver,
Money Line: -181.00 Anaheim (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -181.00 Anaheim (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 41-23-11 Anaheim Ducks have won four in a row and now find themselves atop the Pacific Division with 93 points. However, the division title is hardly secured, as San Jose and Edmonton have 91 points apiece and Calgary owns 90 points. Anaheim opens a four-game road trip in Vancouver against the 30-36-9 Canucks and a fifth straight win would clinch a playoff berth. Vancouver has lost eight of its last 10 overall (2-6-2) and has officially been eliminated from postseason contention.
Anaheim: The Ducks' recent surge (9-2-1 in March) has occurred with No. 1 goaltender John Gibson nursing a lower-body injury (he lost his only start in March). However, Jonathan Bernier has stepped up his game and posted a 9-1-1 mark in March with a 1.71 goals-against average and .943 save percentage. His lone regulation loss in that stretch came against Vancouver, although he deserved a better fate after turning aside 25 of 27 shots in a 2-1 setback on March 5. Despite Bernier's heroics in net, head coach Randy Carlyle told reporters on Monday that Gibson is expected to play once he joins the team on the road trip. However, Gibson is not ready to return just yet.
Vancouver: While the Ducks are immersed in the team's "Drive for Five" (looking to win the Pacific Division for a fifth straight season), the Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs last week and have not had much fun lately. Vancouver has won only two of its last 10 games and an offense which ranks 28th in goals scored (2.24 per), will have its hands full against the red-hot Bernier. Speaking of goaltenders, one wonders just how many more "meaningless" games the 36-year-old Ryan Miller, 36, will play after handling the bulk of the goaltending duties with regular backup Jacob Markstrom injured. Miller has kept the Canucks close in many games this season with a 2.77 GAA and .915 save percentage. However, the Canucks just can't put the net in goal often enough, resulting in his poor 18-24-6 record.
The pick: The Ducks have recorded at least a point in seven straight contests (6-0-1) to move two points ahead of San Jose and Edmonton and I can't see them stumbling here against the "going nowhere" Canucks. I will note that Vancouver has split its four encounters with Anaheim this season but that mean';s the Ducks should be even more focused. Make Anaheim an 8* play.
Anaheim: The Ducks' recent surge (9-2-1 in March) has occurred with No. 1 goaltender John Gibson nursing a lower-body injury (he lost his only start in March). However, Jonathan Bernier has stepped up his game and posted a 9-1-1 mark in March with a 1.71 goals-against average and .943 save percentage. His lone regulation loss in that stretch came against Vancouver, although he deserved a better fate after turning aside 25 of 27 shots in a 2-1 setback on March 5. Despite Bernier's heroics in net, head coach Randy Carlyle told reporters on Monday that Gibson is expected to play once he joins the team on the road trip. However, Gibson is not ready to return just yet.
Vancouver: While the Ducks are immersed in the team's "Drive for Five" (looking to win the Pacific Division for a fifth straight season), the Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs last week and have not had much fun lately. Vancouver has won only two of its last 10 games and an offense which ranks 28th in goals scored (2.24 per), will have its hands full against the red-hot Bernier. Speaking of goaltenders, one wonders just how many more "meaningless" games the 36-year-old Ryan Miller, 36, will play after handling the bulk of the goaltending duties with regular backup Jacob Markstrom injured. Miller has kept the Canucks close in many games this season with a 2.77 GAA and .915 save percentage. However, the Canucks just can't put the net in goal often enough, resulting in his poor 18-24-6 record.
The pick: The Ducks have recorded at least a point in seven straight contests (6-0-1) to move two points ahead of San Jose and Edmonton and I can't see them stumbling here against the "going nowhere" Canucks. I will note that Vancouver has split its four encounters with Anaheim this season but that mean';s the Ducks should be even more focused. Make Anaheim an 8* play.
