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The Vancouver Canucks are on the road to play the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
Vancouver (0-1-2) is coming off a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Florida (3-2) is coming off a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Canucks vs Panthers: Head-to-head & key numbers
- Vancouver is 20-13-6-4 all-time against Florida.
- The Canucks are averaging 2.66 goals per game.
- The Panthers are allowing 3.6 goals.
- Vancouver is allowing four goals per game.
- Florida is averaging 3.4 goals.
Vancouver Canucks vs Florida Panthers: Preview
Vancouver is still searching for its first win of the season as the Canucks have struggled this season.
Vancouver's goaltending has been an issue this season as starting goalie Thatcher Demko is dealing with an injury. Kevin Lankinen will be starting on Thursday for the Canucks.
“Lankinen has impressed and we’re not scared to go to him, too,” coach Rck Tocchet said in advance of the season opener, via The Province. “Who knows what happens.”
Meanwhile, Florida has some key injuries. The team's captain, Aleksandar Barkov, is out for a few weeks with an ankle injury. Tkachuk, meanwhile, is dealing with an illness and will be out of the lineup.
Despite the key injuries, the Panthers have been playing well using the next man-up mentality.
"I think, you know, the next man up," forward Evan Rodrigues said, via NHL.com. "We started off last year missing two key players and obviously never want to want to lose anybody, but we'll have a next-man up mentality, and everyone will have to step up their game."
Bobrovsky has also played well which is key to Florida's success.
Canucks vs Panthers: Odds & Prediction
The Canucks are -108 while Florida is -112 as the game is a Pick'Em with the over/under set at 5.5 goals.
Vancouver will be starting Lankinen, who should be better than Silovs has been. But the Canucks offense has been a problem this season, and Vancouver will likely struggle to score against Bobrovsky.
Florida should be able to get an early lead and cruise to a win here in regulation.
Prediction: Panthers 3, Canucks 1.
Canucks vs Panthers: Betting tips
Tip 1: Florida ML -112
Tip 2: Under 5.5 goals -105
Tip 3: Sam Bennett over 0.5 points -145
Tip 4: Under 1.5 goals first period -115
