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Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver-Canucks December 3rd 2024
Looking to win big? The Canucks and Wild face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Wild are hosting the game at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. This Western conference matchup has an over/under of 5.5 goals, and the Wild are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Canucks.
Vancouver vs. Minnesota Key Information
- Teams: Canucks at Wild
- Where: Xcel Energy Center St. Paul
- Date: Tuesday, December 3rd
- Betting Odds MIN -154 | VAN +130 O/U 5.5
The Canucks Can Win If…
Vancouver improved to 13-7-3 with a 3-2 road win over the Sharks. The Canucks were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined score of 5 fell short of that mark.
The Sharks took the lead in the second period, but the Canucks responded with three unanswered goals. Pius Suter’s second goal of the game, with just 26 seconds left, secured the win for Vancouver.
Pius Suter led the Canucks with two goals in their 3-2 win over the Sharks, bringing his season tally to four. Jake DeBrusk added his first goal of the season, which came at the 15:38 mark in the third period.
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Vancouver took 27 shots on goal but went scoreless in the first period before Suter netted his third goal of the season at 5:19 in the second period.
Vancouver’s defense gave up the first goal at 2:37 into the 2nd period and another at 18:43 in the 3rd, but they held on for a 3-2 win. Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the defense contributed 5 takeaways and 24 hits.
- The Canucks have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. However, they have only gone 0-3 vs. the puck line over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 3-0.
- Over their last ten regular season games, the Canucks have gone 6-4 straight up. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 7-3 on the over-under.
The Wild Can Win If…
With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 16-4-4. Minnesota was favored on the puck line, but didn’t cover. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined 3 goals fell short of that mark.
Ryan Hartman scored first for the Wild at 9:41 in the first period, but the Maple Leafs tied it with just 52 seconds left in the period. Matt Boldy netted the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.
Ryan Hartman netted his third goal of the season, putting the Wild on the board 9:41 into the first period. Matt Boldy followed with his sixth goal, securing the overtime winner at 2:14 into the extra period.
Jared Spurgeon picked up two assists, bringing his season total to three. The Wild fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless in both the second and third periods before Boldy’s overtime goal.
Defensively, the Wild allowed a late first-period goal to the Maple Leafs, but they kept Toronto off the board for the rest of the game, leading to a 2-1 overtime win. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage, and the Wild’s defense added 7 takeaways and 22 hits.
- Spanning across their last three games, Minnesota have gone 3-0. Across these games, they have put together an puck line mark of 0-3 as well as an over-under record of 0-3.
- Through their last ten regular season contests, Minnesota has a record of 6-4. This includes going 4-6 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 3-7.
The Lean
When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Wild to defeat the Canucks while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at -154, I’m placing a wager on the Wild to win outright.
For a puck line prediction, our preference is the Wild to secure a win and cover. Anticipate the Wild to win this one by multiple goals over the Canucks.
With an over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.
Wild, Canucks Both Finding Ways to Scrap Out Wins
Minnesota Grinding Out Tough Victories
The Minnesota Wild have proven adept at adapting their approach this season, finding a variety of ways to secure victories. With at least one point in 20 of their first 24 games, the Wild have demonstrated resilience and flexibility.
“I just like the fact that we continue to grind out hard games, different games, find different ways to win, stay with it,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “The mental toughness, the physical toughness that we’re able to play with… that, to me, stands out — and continues to stand out.”
The Wild will host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night in Saint Paul, Minn., in what marks the sixth and final game of Vancouver’s current road trip.
Vancouver’s Scrappy Style
The Canucks have also thrived in tight contests, winning back-to-back overtime games against the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings. With a 4-1-0 record so far on their road trip, Vancouver has embraced its underdog mentality.
“We’re a scrappy team,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “It might not be pretty some nights, but we don’t give up.”
Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes has been a key contributor, leading the team with 28 points (five goals, 23 assists) in 23 games. Hughes recently became the franchise’s all-time leader in assists by a defenseman with 313 in 388 games, surpassing Alex Edler.
“It’s incredible,” Tocchet said of Hughes’ achievement. “A great milestone.”
Key Contributors
For the Wild, Kirill Kaprizov remains the offensive centerpiece with 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) in 23 games. Matt Boldy has also been a strong contributor, recording 11 goals and 13 assists.
Kaprizov set up the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime victory against the Nashville Predators with a sharp pass to Jared Spurgeon.
“It was sort of a surprise to me, but such a great pass,” Spurgeon said. “I just tried to get it on net as soon as possible. Lucky it went in.”
Goaltender Matchups
The Canucks are likely to start Kevin Lankinen in net. Lankinen has been outstanding on the road this season, setting an NHL record with a 10-0-0 start away from home. He is 12-3-2 overall with a 2.65 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
“He’s a road warrior — I think he likes his hotel points,” Tocchet joked. “He lives for the moment and (made) another good effort.”
Lankinen has faced the Wild four times in his career, posting an 0-1-1 record with a 2.87 GAA and a .918 save percentage. Backup Arturs Silovs (1-4-1, 4.11 GAA, .847 save percentage) has never faced Minnesota.
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Minnesota is expected to counter with Filip Gustavsson, who is 11-4-3 with a 2.05 GAA and a .929 save percentage this season. Gustavsson has allowed just two goals combined in his last two games and is 3-2-1 with a 2.78 GAA and a .908 save percentage in seven career games against Vancouver.
The Wild also have veteran Marc-Andre Fleury as an option. Fleury is 5-0-1 this season with a 2.64 GAA and a .905 save percentage. He boasts a stellar 16-3-2 record with a 2.55 GAA and a .913 save percentage in 21 career games against the Canucks.
Outlook
Both teams enter Tuesday’s matchup with momentum and unique strengths. The Wild will aim to build on their gritty style of play at home, while the Canucks look to cap their road trip with another resilient performance.
