Tampa Bay Lightning (12-11-5) vs. Vancouver Canucks (17-9-1)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vancouver Canucks 12/12/23 – In a highly anticipated NHL regular-season encounter, the Tampa Bay Lightning, with a record of 12-11-5, are gearing up to face the Vancouver Canucks, who boast a stronger 17-9-1 record. This matchup, scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 10:00 PM ET, will take place at Rogers Arena and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans and bettors alike are keenly looking forward to this game, offering valuable hockey free picks and insights into both teams’ current form and capabilities.
The Lightning boast one of the most potent attacks led by Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos. However, injuries have ravaged their forward lines and impacted scoring depth. Additionally, a struggling defense has led to porous goaltending. Thatcher Demko and the Canucks defense have been stingy, allowing the second-fewest goals against in the Western Conference. Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller pace a balanced Vancouver offense that could capitalize on defensive issues for Tampa Bay.
Conversely, the Canucks have had difficulties generating offense on the road this season. Quinn Hughes leads a strong Vancouver blueline that will look to stymie the Lightning offense. Yet, Tampa Bay’s firepower contains elite scoring talent even without several key forwards. Jonas Johansson has battled inconsistency in net for the Lightning since taking over the starting role. If he falters, the Bolts’ offense should still be able to expose an average road defense for the Canucks.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vancouver Canucks 12/12/23 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Rogers Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Jonas Johansson vs. Goaltender Thatcher Demko
Jonas Johansson has struggled since taking over starting duties, posting a 3.47 GAA and .891 save percentage across 20 games. He faces a tough matchup against a Canucks team averaging 3.44 goals per contest. Vancouver features tremendous offensive balance that could overwhelm the Lightning defense. If Johansson fails to make key saves, Tampa Bay will have difficulty keeping pace on the scoreboard.
Canucks starter Thatcher Demko continues his ascension among the league’s top netminders. He brings a sterling 2.46 GAA and .918 save percentage this season. Demko excels using size and positioning to take away shooting lanes. Additionally, he should have plenty of support from defensemen like Quinn Hughes and Luke Schenn. The Lightning offer Demko a challenging test, albeit with a depleted forward unit. He will need to come up big for Vancouver to secure two points.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game, yet to be determined, will offer insights into the perceived strengths and weaknesses of both teams. Bettors should keep a close eye on these odds as they often reflect the collective expectations and can significantly influence betting strategies.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
The Lightning are just 4-6 straight up over their last 10 contests and have dropped below NHL .500 for the season. More concerning, Tampa Bay is allowing the fifth-most goals per game while averaging the eighth fewest. Injuries have certainly factored into recent struggles. Yet they still own enough high-end talent capable of beating quality opponents like Vancouver. The OVER has hit in two of their past five contests. On the road, six of their last 10 games have finished OVER the projected total.
Vancouver Canucks Betting Trends
Vancouver continues trending up as one of the league’s best teams, winning seven of their previous 10. They have also covered the spread in five straight games. Defensively, only two opponents have managed over three goals against Vancouver in their last 10. On home ice, they play even better, winning seven of 10 while allowing just 25 total goals. However, offense has slipped recently, averaging 2.5 goals per game their last six contests. That could prove problematic against the dangerous Lightning attack.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vancouver Canucks 12/12/23 Betting Picks
Based on the analysis and recent trends, this game appears to be a showdown between two evenly matched teams. The Lightning’s offensive strength, backed by their recent form, could make them a formidable opponent for the Canucks. However, the Canucks’ consistent performance and solid defense might give them a slight edge in this matchup.
In terms of betting, this game presents an interesting dilemma. While the Lightning’s recent upswing makes them a compelling choice, the Canucks’ overall season performance and home advantage cannot be overlooked. Prop bets on individual player performances and the over/under on total goals might offer the best value for bettors.
Premium parlays suggest that while the game could go either way, the Canucks’ balanced approach and home advantage might make them the safer bet. However, the Lightning’s capability to pull off an upset should not be underestimated.
Free Pick and Prediction: Vancouver Canucks 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3.