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NHL Free Pick: Panthers vs. Canucks Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Florida Panthers taking on the Vancouver Canucks January 8 at Rogers Arena. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

The surging Vancouver Canucks will welcome a familiar face to Rogers Arena Thursday night when they play host to one-time franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo and the Florida Panthers.

Daily NHL Hockey Odds

Daily NHL Hockey Odds
Florida (17-11-4-5) at Vancouver (23-12-2-1)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 8, 2015
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: FS-F, SNP
Panthers NHL Betting Odds: +1½ -205 +144
Canucks NHL Betting Odds: -1½ +175 -160
NHL Over/Under Betting Odds: 5
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Click here to view today’s… NHL Matchup Angles | NHL Insider Gambling Preview

Both teams have been a pleasant surprise this season – both are in the mix of their respective playoff races and both have reason to think that a playoff berth is a real possibility.

Obviously the biggest story ahead of Thursday night`s game is the return of Roberto Luongo back to Vancouver for the first time. Vancouver`s loss has certainly been Florida`s gain – Lou is 15-7-7 this year with a 2.28 GAA and .924 save percentage.

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Lou will likely have to be the star Thursday – Florida’s offense has been poor all season long – near the bottom of the league in goals for (2.22).

Jussi Jokinen and Sean Bergenheim each have just one point in their last four games while Brian Campbell, Scottie Upshall and Dmitry Kulikov are all pointless in their last four. Rookie Aaron Ekblad has led the way offensively – he has two points in two games and Jimmy Hayes has five points in six – nothing to write home about for sure!

The Panthers have lost three of their last four games and look very much like a team that is falling back to earth just a tad.

The Vancouver Canucks have beaten two top Eastern Conference dogs in a row – on Saturday they looked very good in defeating the Red Wings and on Tuesday night they cooled off the Islanders 3-2.

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They are 5-1-1 in their last seven games and making a strong push in the tough Pacific Division.

Some previously slumping Canucks showed up Tuesday and snapped some prolonged slumps – Linden Vey scored for the first time tin twelve games and Nick Bonino netted his first goal in eight.

Altogether the Canucks offense has been good – they are averaging 2.89 goals per game.

The Sedins look good half way through the season, Radim Vrbata should return to action after missing Tuesday`s game with an illness and the power play had gone seven for its past 19 – zero-for-3 Tuesday night.

Vancouver’s offensive depth is once again taking center stage – things are good indeed for the Canucks and their fans.

Ryan Miller should get the start Thursday after sitting out against the Islanders. He has gone 4-1-1 in his last six games with a 1.66 GAA and .950 save percentage over that span.

However Miller is just 1-2-1 in his last four starts versus the Islanders with an ugly 3.63 GAA.

You can bet that Miller will be eager to best the keeper that Vancouver fans identified with for six years.

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This is Miller`s team now – he and the Canucks will want to prove that Thursday.

NHL Gambling Trends

• FLA are 5-12 in their last 17 vs. Pacific.
• FLA are 18-40 in their last 58 Thu. games.
• FLA are 29-63 in their last 92 road games.
• Over is 9-2-1 in VAN last 12 vs. Atlantic.
• VAN are 4-9 in their last 13 Thu. games.
• FLA are 3-9-2 in the last 14 meetings.

The Vancouver Canucks have been playing some inspired hockey – they have taken on and beaten some pretty good teams the last while.

NHL Betting 4* Free Play

Expect the trend to continue – the Panthers just don`t have enough firepower to keep up with Vancouver`s deep offense.

Vancouver Canucks -160

Luongo will likely keep this close but like at times in Vancouver, he will likely suffer from a lack of support Thursday.

CappersPicks.com NHL Betting and gambling site provides the BEST Online hockey predictions for you to bet on for the NHL hockey season! Stick with us all season long!

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.