Vancouver-canucks vs Florida Panthers Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Panthers Look to Continue Road Dominance Against Canucks

The Florida Panthers (17-8-2) bring their seven-game point streak into Vancouver on Thursday, facing a Canucks (13-10-6) team looking to overcome its home-ice struggles. Florida’s strong road record and recent momentum set the stage for an exciting clash with a Canucks squad aiming to find consistency.

Panthers Riding High on Strong Form

Florida’s 6-0-1 record over its last seven games includes three consecutive wins, the most recent being a 2-1 shootout victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. The Panthers dominated the game with a 33-18 shots advantage but were stymied by a stellar 32-save performance from Kraken goalie Joey Daccord. Despite the low-scoring affair, the Panthers managed their first win this season when scoring two or fewer goals (1-7-1).

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 17 saves against Seattle, praised the team’s focus:
“In those kinds of games, it’s all about focus and concentration because every moment could be the biggest moment of the game.”

Florida’s road success has been a hallmark of their season, with a 9-4-1 record away from home. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, the Panthers are tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the most road points (75) in the NHL.

Aleksander Barkov continues to lead the Panthers offensively, with 10 points (five goals, five assists) during his current seven-game point streak.

Canucks Look for Spark at Home

Vancouver’s struggles at Rogers Arena have been evident, with the team posting a 4-6-4 record at home. Their most recent game was a 4-3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, in which Jake DeBrusk scored a late equalizer before the Canucks fell short.

The Canucks’ offense, averaging just 26.7 shots per game (among the lowest in the league), has been a focal point for improvement. Elias Pettersson, who scored a fluky power-play goal on Tuesday, emphasized the need for a shooting mentality:
“Stay with it, shoot the puck, recover, shoot the puck. It sounds cliched, but that power-play goal shows it.”

DeBrusk has been a bright spot for Vancouver, scoring 10 goals in his last nine games to bring his season total to a team-leading 13 goals. Quinn Hughes remains a pivotal playmaker, leading the team in points (32) and assists (25).

Goaltending will be a key storyline for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko returned to action Tuesday after a knee injury sidelined him since April, stopping 21 of 25 shots. Vancouver may turn to Kevin Lankinen against Florida to manage Demko’s recovery.

Keys to the Game

Florida Panthers:

• Stay Disciplined: Continue playing with focus in low-scoring situations, as shown in the win over Seattle.
• Utilize Depth: Maintain balanced scoring contributions, with Barkov leading by example.
• Defend Strongly: Limit Vancouver’s high-danger opportunities to keep their inconsistent offense at bay.

Vancouver Canucks:

• Shoot More: Embrace a shooting mentality and create more chances, especially on the power play.
• DeBrusk’s Momentum: Leverage Jake DeBrusk’s recent scoring surge to ignite the offense.
• Goaltending Stability: Monitor Demko’s workload carefully, ensuring reliable goaltending regardless of who starts.

Season Series

This is the second meeting between the teams this season. Vancouver claimed a 3-2 overtime win in Sunrise, Fla., on Oct. 17, and the Canucks will aim to replicate that success at home.

Who will dominate the boards? Find out in NBA Rebounds Leader Odds & Predictions!

Final Outlook

The Panthers’ road prowess and momentum make them the favorites in this matchup, but the Canucks’ recent resilience and DeBrusk’s scoring form give them a fighting chance. Both teams will look to build on their strengths in a game that promises intensity and high stakes.