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Vancouver takes on Dallas on Tuesday as the Canucks being a six-game road trip. These teams last met on Nov. 14 with Dallas winning on the road, 4-2.
Canucks to play some defense
Vancouver has lost two straight and six of their last seven. In their latest game, they fell on Nov. 16 to Colorado on the road, 5-4 in overtime. At least they picked up a point and they were fortunate to do so. In their last three games, they've allowed 12 goals, though that hasn't been a problem overall. Amazingly, they came back after being down 4-2 and scored two goals in the last 2:37 of regulation after they pulled the goaltender. Alex Edler and Brock Boeser both scored to tie the game at 4-4. Nathan MacKinnon scored just 27 seconds into the overtime period to lead the Avalanche to the victory.The good news for the Canucks is that the power play is doing the job. They rank sixth in the league with a 24.4 success rate, while scoring twice against the Avalanche and three times versus Nashville on Nov. 12. But before that, they had gone 3-of-25 in November in the power play. Jacob Markstrom is expected to get the nod in goal. He's 5-5-3 with a 2.59 GAA and 91.4% save percentage. The Canucks rank sixth in the NHL in goals-against at 2.7 goals allowed per game and first in face-off percentage at 54%.
Stars on a roll
Dallas got off to a slow start this season, winning just one of their first nine games (1-7-1), before going on a heater. The Stars have now won 10 of their last 12 games (10-1-1). On Saturday, they were down 4-2, late in the game against Edmonton, but tied the game on goals from Black Comeau and Tyler Seguin. The won the game in overtime, 5-4, on a goal from Jamie Benn. Seguin led the Stars with a goal and two assists. He now has five goals and 11 assists on the season to lead the team with 16 points, while Miro Heiskanen leads in +/- with 12.The Stars rank third in the NHL in goals against at 2.4 goals allowed per game and 28th in goals scored (2.6). Veteran netminder Ben Bishop will get the nod in goal. He struggled in his last start on Saturday, allowing three goals in 15 shots and was pulled. He's 6-5-1 with a 2.29 GAA, which ranks fourth in the NHL. He also ranks sixth with a .925 SV% in 14 starts.
Notable Trends
Trends from Covers.com Dallas is:
- 4-0 last 4 vs. the Pacific Division.
- 7-1 last 8 overall.
- 15-5 last 20 vs. Vancouver.
Vancouver is:
- 1-5 last 6 vs. Central Division.
- 1-6 last 7 overall.
- 3-7 last 10 in Dallas.
The Bottom Line What to bet on this game.
Full-Game Side Bet
The Stars won the last game and they have won 15 of their last 20 in this series. For whatever reason, Bishop has played well after rough starts. He's been a little up-and-down, but his numbers are still very good. Vancouver has struggled defensively as of late, allowing four or more goals in four of its last five contests. Take the Stars at home to beat the Canucks for the second time in a week.
Prediction: Dallas -140
Full-Game Total Pick
Vancouver is giving up 4-5 goals in every game as of late, which included the 4-2 loss last week to Dallas at home. However, this is a rivalry that has historically gone under. They went under in four straight going back two seasons ago. Dallas has gone under in five of their last seven and five straight before their last two games. Bishop will bounce back from his off game and come up big against a struggling Vancouver team at home.
Prediction: Under 5.5
