The Vancouver Canucks visit the New Jersey Devils on March 24 at Prudential Center. Vancouver is 32-26-12 and fifth in the Pacific Division, while New Jersey is 37-28-6 and third in the Metropolitan. The Devils dominated the last meeting 6-0 on October 30.
The Canucks are 0-1-1 to start their six-game road trip and are coming off a frustrating 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers. Despite outshooting the Rangers 39-12, Vancouver’s undermanned lineup couldn’t secure the win. The Devils are also coming off a loss, falling 3-2 to Ottawa in a game that featured three deflected goals allowed in quick succession.
Canucks Preview – Searching for Answers in Goal
Vancouver continues to battle through injuries as key players Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander are doubtful for this matchup. Goaltender Thatcher Demko remains out with a lower-body injury, and backup Kevin Lankinen is also dealing with illness, leaving the Canucks with limited options in net.
Lankinen has played 10 of the last 11 games but struggled against the Rangers, allowing four goals on just 11 shots. If Lankinen cannot go, inexperienced backup Arturs Silovs may be called upon. Silovs has started just nine games this season, posting an .861 save percentage.
Vancouver’s offense has been inconsistent, ranking 25th in the league with 2.79 goals per game. Brock Boeser leads the Canucks with 31 goals, while Quinn Hughes has contributed 61 points from the blue line. Without Pettersson and Hoglander in the lineup, Vancouver may struggle to generate consistent offensive pressure.
The Canucks are chasing the final Western Conference wild-card spot and need a strong finish to the season to stay in the race. With St. Louis and Calgary pushing for the same spot, Vancouver must find ways to win despite their injury issues.
Devils Preview – Looking to Regain Form at Home
New Jersey has struggled at home lately, going 4-7-1 in their last 12 games at Prudential Center. The Devils remain six points ahead of the Rangers in the Metropolitan but must improve down the stretch to solidify their playoff position.
Jesper Bratt leads the Devils with 81 points, including 61 assists, setting a franchise record for helpers in a season. Nico Hischier has been hot lately, scoring seven points in his last six games. Despite those performances, the Devils’ offense has struggled to deliver in key moments.
Goaltending has been an issue for New Jersey as Jacob Markstrom has a poor .833 save percentage in his last seven games. Jake Allen has played better recently, but the Devils have rotated both goalies as they search for stability in the crease.
New Jersey’s defense has performed well, ranking 10th in the NHL with 2.61 goals allowed per game. The Devils will need to lean on their defensive structure to slow down Vancouver’s top scorers and avoid costly breakdowns late in games.
Key Matchups to Watch
The matchup between Quinn Hughes and Jesper Bratt will be key. Hughes is one of the NHL’s top puck movers, while Bratt is New Jersey’s top playmaker. If Bratt continues his strong form, the Devils could find success against Vancouver’s depleted defense.
Vancouver’s goaltending situation is also crucial. Whether it’s Lankinen or Silovs in net, the Canucks need a strong performance to slow down New Jersey’s balanced scoring attack. If the Canucks fail to stabilize their defense, the Devils may exploit them in transition.
Betting Prediction
The Devils enter as home favorites, and their dominance over Vancouver cannot be ignored. New Jersey is 16-2 in its last 18 matchups against the Canucks, including a 6-0 shutout win earlier this season.
With Vancouver missing key forwards and facing goaltending concerns, New Jersey’s edge in scoring depth and defensive play should be the difference. Expect the Devils to win and cover the puck line.
Pick: Devils -1.5 (+154)
