Blaine Spencer previews Game 3 between the Canucks and Golden Knights and shares his best bets as the series is tied 1-1.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 3 Preview
The Vancouver Canucks jumped on the Vegas Golden Knights early to win easily 5-2 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Goaltender, Robin Lehner, was poor for the Golden Knights as he let the Canucks score five and only recording 22 saves. While Jacob Markstrom was spectacular with 38 saves where many, including myself, potentially thought he was going to be benched or at minimum on a short leash. Instead, he played like the goaltender Vancouver has seen for the majority of the playoffs.
I mentioned in my previous article that Vancouver was going to come out fast with something to prove and they did. Vancouver played the first period with an extreme sense of urgency by scoring 1:29 into the game scored by Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli was returning from injury where he has not played since Game 1 of the qualifying round against Minnesota. His impact and energy was apparent by having two assists as well.
Vegas instead came out flat in the first period which put them down 2-0 early. They did score in the second by Alexander Tuch to cut the lead in half but they let frustration get the better of them especially in the third period. Tuch and Max Pacioretty made two bad plays in the third with Tuch getting a double minor for pummeling Jake Virtanen while he was on the ice. Pacioretty grabbed J.T. Miller by the head and threw him down after the whistle. They did not play with the composure everyone is accustomed to seeing from them.
One crucial component is Vegas outshot Vancouver 40-27 which is a substantial statistic that will give Vegas plenty of scoring chances in Game 3 and the entire series. Vancouver needs to be better because Markstrom will have to be play at a superstar goaltender level to keep the Canucks in the series.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Predictions & Picks
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Line: Vancouver Canucks (+170) vs Vegas Golden Knights (-200)
As for my picks, I went 1 for 2 by getting the over correctly while getting my moneyline selection wrong with Vancouver getting the upset victory. Through the first two games, Vegas will be dominant with shots on goal and Vancouver will have to capitalize on their chances.
I like the Golden Knights in regulation here and I expect many goals to continue as the over will continue to hit. Vancouver will be able to convert chance as they showed in Game 2. Vegas is notorious for hitting the over on total goals as they’ve done so a majority of the games since the restart.
Pick 1: Vegas Golden Knights (Regular Time Line) (-121)
Pick 2: Over 5.5 goals (-148)
Unfortunately, one is unable to parlay these separate bets but I do like both of them. I don’t believe this game will go to overtime as Vegas will not come out flat like they did in Game 2 which allowed Vancouver to jump on them early.
Markstrom played well in Game 2 but I expect Vegas to convert more than twice in Game 3 if they get 40 shots on goal again. Lehner has been inconsistent so don’t be surprised that Vancouver will score.
