Blaine Spencer previews NHL Playoffs Game 7 between the Canucks and Golden Knights and shares his picks.
Puck drop is, Friday, September 4th at 9:00 EST in Edmonton, Alberta on NBCSN.
Hockey is nothing short of incredible. The Vancouver Canucks were left for dead a few days ago down 3-1. Then right before Game 5, the Canucks announced the change to Thatcher Demko at goaltender due to injury. Demko has ascended with two incredible performances to force a Game 7.
Demko was even better than he was in Game 5 making 48 saves in Game 6 on Thursday which is the most saves by an NHL rookie in a postseason shutout. The Canucks went on to beat the Golden Knights 4-0. It’s a lock for the squad to get the start even if Jacob Markstrom is healthy enough to play. He has made 66 consecutive saves.
The Canucks swarmed the Golden Knights early in Game 6 with Jake Virtanen capitalizing to score early. J.T. Miller had a goal and an assist while Bo Horvat scored an empty-netter to see the deal.
Vegas has continued to dominate statistically but they just can’t find the back of the net. They held the Canucks without a shot for a 19-minute span but they have been unable to convert the opportunities the team is creating. Vegas has started to look rattled with the amount of saves made by Demko along with themselves starting to sail shots.
Now with Robin Lehner struggling and playing a back-to-back. The question now becomes who will get the Game 7 nod in net between Lehner and Marc Andre-Fleury. On top of this, the team does not want to repeat last year’s debacle against the San Jose Sharks where they blew a 3-1 lead.
This is a Game 7 where anything can happen and most likely will happen. The Canucks have shown belief and rallied around their goaltender Demko. Meanwhile, Vegas was looking like the best team in the bubble until these past two games. Who will prevail? This is what hockey players live for where it’s one game to decide all the marbles of who will advance and who will be eliminated.
Predictions & Picks
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Line: Vancouver Canucks (+185) vs Vegas Golden Knights (-220)
As for my picks, I got both incorrect thanks to the heroics of Demko. I haven’t seen anyone handle the Golden Knights this postseason like he has in his two starts. The first period played a pivotal role again as whoever scored in the first went on to win the game.
It’s game 7 and I’m being completely honest that I have no clue who to pick to win this game. I want to roll with the team has gotten me here in the Golden Knights but the Canucks have showcased something special in the last two games. I just do not know.
I like the Under 6.5 which is high to me especially based off the scores of the past two games. Demko has played too well by himself to believe he will give up plenty of goals. Fatigue will play a role like it did in the back-to-back earlier in the series.
Picks: Under 6.5 total goals (-152) & Canucks on the Puck Line +1.5 (-137)
I would parlay these two together which gives you significantly better odds. The combined parlay odds are +170. The game will go down to the wire and the way Vancouver has played the past two games will show that regardless if they lose, the game will be close. I doubt either team will win by multiple goals.
Welcome to Game 7! This is where legends are made. Only time will tell who will come out victorious.
