Vegas Golden Knights vs Vancouver-canucks Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Vegas Golden Knights vs Vancouver-Canucks February 22nd 2025

The Canucks and Golden Knights are set to face off at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Golden Knights will host the game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 5.5 goals, and the Golden Knights are favored by -1.5 vs. the Canucks.

Vancouver vs. Vegas Key Information

• Teams: Canucks at Golden Knights
• Where: T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas
• Date: Saturday, February 22nd
• Betting Odds VEG -177 | VAN +149 O/U 5.5

The Canucks Can Win If…

With a 3-2 win over the Sharks, the Canucks improved to 26-18-11. Vancouver, favored by -1.5 goals, failed to cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark.

After trailing 1-0 in the second period, the Canucks tied it up with a goal from Pius Suter at 5:19. Jake DeBrusk gave Vancouver the lead in the third period, but the Sharks responded to make it 2-2. Suter scored again, this time with just 26 seconds left, to secure the win.

Pius Suter led the way for the Canucks with two goals, his 3rd and 4th of the season. He scored at 5:19 in the second period and again with just 26 seconds left in the game to secure a 3-2 win. Jake DeBrusk added his first goal of the season at 4:22 in the third period.

Vancouver took 27 shots on goal but didn’t score in the first period. They netted one in the second and two in the third. The Canucks had 25 giveaways and finished with 6 assists.

Defensively, the Canucks allowed the first goal at 2:37 into the 2nd period and another at 18:43 in the 3rd. Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the defense added 5 takeaways and 24 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Canucks have gone 3-0 straight up. In these games, they have a 2-1 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 0-3.
• 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 3-7 on the over-under.

The Golden Knights Can Win If…

Vegas improved to 33-17-6 with a 4-3 overtime win against Utah. The Golden Knights fell behind 2-0 before rallying with four different players finding the net. As -1.5 goal favorites, they failed to cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the game’s 7 goals pushed it over.

Utah scored the first two goals, but Vegas responded with Pavel Dorofeyev getting them on the board at 15:06 in the second period. Brett Howden sealed the win with a goal at 2:15 in overtime.

Vegas fired 35 shots on goal in their 4-3 overtime win against Utah, with four different players finding the net. Brett Howden scored his 6th goal of the season, while William Karlsson added his 2nd. Pavel Dorofeyev netted his 7th goal, and Noah Hanifin scored for the 2nd time this season.

Hanifin also contributed with two assists, bringing his total to 5 for the season. Tomas Hertl picked up his 8th assist, and Mark Stone added his 15th. The Golden Knights had 13 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Golden Knights struggled early, allowing the first two goals to Utah. The first came at 8:08 in the first period, and the second was at 8:00 in the second. They also gave up a late 3rd-period goal, which tied the game at 3-3. Adin Hill made 16 saves with a save percentage of 84.2%.

• Spanning across their last three games, Vegas have gone 2-1. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line and posting an over-under mark of 1-2.
• The Golden Knights have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. This includes going 4-6 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Lean

If you’re interested in a pure moneyline wager, then the Golden Knights is the preferred option. However, with a payout of -177, it might be worth considering this bet as a component of a larger parlay.

My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Canucks to cover. Even if the Golden Knights win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Canucks should cover the puck line.

For those assessing the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will stay below that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the under.

Coaches Shift Focus from International Glory to NHL Battle

Hours after celebrating Team Canada’s dramatic overtime victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet and Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy will shift their focus to NHL action. The two coaches, both members of Jon Cooper’s Canadian staff, will face off on Saturday night in Las Vegas as their teams return from the midseason break.

Cassidy acknowledged the quick turnaround after Canada’s celebration at TD Garden in Boston. “Reality kicks in in six hours,” Cassidy said with a smile. “We’ll start preparing for the Canucks.”

Both Teams Enter Hot Streaks Before Midseason Break

Both teams entered the break playing well. Vegas, tied with the Edmonton Oilers atop the Pacific Division with 72 points, secured back-to-back road wins over New Jersey (3-1) and Boston (4-3). Vancouver, sitting fourth in the Pacific with 63 points, had won three straight games and was 6-1-1 over its last eight contests.

“We ended off on a positive note,” Canucks center Teddy Blueger said. “That last week we played some good hockey and got some results finally. A little bit of positive momentum. Hopefully we can take that into this weekend.”

Saturday marks the start of a five-game road trip for Vancouver, including a back-to-back against Vegas and Utah, followed by another back-to-back against Los Angeles and Anaheim. With the Canucks trailing the third-place Kings by just two points, every game carries significant playoff implications.

“I think we’re right there in the fight, giving ourselves a good chance to compete going down the stretch,” Blueger added. “We’ve shown the last week or two that we can play really good hockey and can kind of compete with anyone and beat anyone.”

Quinn Hughes’ Return Could Boost Canucks

The Canucks hope to welcome back reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, who returned to practice this week after missing four games with an oblique injury. Though he was not cleared to join Team USA during the 4 Nations tournament, Tocchet remains optimistic about Hughes’ availability. “We need a healthy Hughes if we’re going to go anywhere,” Tocchet said.

Golden Knights Balance Success and Injury Concerns

Vegas, meanwhile, had five players participate in the 4 Nations finale. Forward Mark Stone, goalie Adin Hill, and defenseman Shea Theodore represented Canada, while center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin suited up for Team USA.

The Golden Knights face uncertainty with Theodore, who reportedly suffered a broken right wrist during Canada’s opening game against Sweden after a check from Adrian Kempe. With Theodore ranking fourth among NHL defensemen with 48 points (seven goals, 41 assists), his potential absence for the remainder of the regular season could be a significant blow to Vegas’ blue line.

Cassidy acknowledged the emotional toll of the tournament’s outcome, particularly for Eichel and Hanifin after Team USA’s heartbreaking loss. “Listen, they’re disappointed over there,” Cassidy said. “I get it, but (Eichel) should have a lot of positives from this tournament. Hanifin, too, played very well against us. Hopefully, they take that and apply it as we move forward here. I feel good about our team, and hopefully, they feel good about themselves, and hopefully, we pick up where we left off.”

Home Ice Advantage Could Propel Golden Knights

Vegas has been dominant at home this season, boasting a 19-6-3 record at T-Mobile Arena. With six of their next seven games on home ice, including a lone road trip to Los Angeles on Monday, the Golden Knights have a prime opportunity to solidify their position atop the division.

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Playoff Implications and Pacific Division Stakes

With both teams riding momentum from strong performances before the break and key players returning to action, Saturday’s matchup promises to be a high-stakes clash with playoff implications. Will Vancouver continue its surge, or can Vegas defend its home ice advantage as the Pacific Division race heats up?

Both teams know that every point matters as they chase playoff berths. For Vancouver, a successful road trip could vault them into the top three in the Pacific Division, while Vegas aims to maintain its lead and build separation from the Oilers. With stars like Eichel, Stone, and Hughes set to take the ice, fans can expect an intense and fast-paced showdown as both teams look to pick up where they left off before the break.