Canucks Even Series with Wild; Minnesota Now Slight -112 Favorites

• The Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild play-in series is tied 1-1
• Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, and J.T. Miller all got on the board in Vancouver’s Game 2 win
• Read below for the best bet based on the updated series odds

The Minnesota WIld are now slight -112 favorites to beat the Vancouver Canucks in their qualifying round series after the Canucks took Game 2 to even up the series. Vancouver is at -108 odds to win the series and are ahead of the Wild in the updated 2020 Stanley Cup odds.

Prior to Game 2, Minnesota was a -300 favorite with Vancouver coming back at +230.

Is this series really as tight as the odds suggest? Which team is the best bet heading into Game 3?

Updated Canucks vs Wild Series Odds

Odds as of August 5th.

Canucks’ Stars Shine In Game 2

After being shutout by the Wild in Game 1, the Canucks got the offense rolling in Game 2 on Tuesday. Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, Bo Horvat, and Tanner Pearson all scored for the Canucks to lead them to a 4-3 victory. Vancouver’s top-six has been a strength all season and they combined for seven points in the win.

Minnesota’s offense was projected to be a weakness heading into this series, and that was on display in Game 2. Rising superstar Kevin Fiala has now scored half of Minnesota’s goals series (three of six) as he struck twice in the final five minutes of Game 3. Fiala can’t win this series by himself, though, so other players will need to step up.

The Canucks’ high-end talent is what should lead them to victory in this series. It’s also a positive that Vancouver’s power play, which was ranked fourth in the regular season, got on the board in Game 3.  For the Wild, it’s a big problem that Luke Kunin is the only forward besides Fiala to find the back of the net through two games.

Markstrom vs. Stalock

The goaltending battle between Jacob Markstrom and Alex Stalock has been fairly even despite one goalie being his team’s MVP in the regular season and the other being mediocre. The Wild have outshot the Canucks in both games thus far and also generated more high-danger chances.

Here’s what you already know:
If Brock Boeser stays healthy & Jacob Markstrom can “dial in” his game the Canucks can go a long way!
#2011

— Dave Pratt (@DavePrattSports) August 5, 2020

I think there’s value betting on Markstrom to steal a game or two in this series for the Canucks. He proved throughout the regular season that he can put the team on his back. Markstrom’s been fine so far, but he appears a tad rusty and still has another level that he can get to.

Stalock didn’t have a good outing for the Wild in Game 2, giving up four goals on 28 shots. Considering he gave up four-plus goals in 13 of his 38 starts in the regular season, he could be in trouble now that Vancouver’s talented offense has found its groove.

Bet on Vancouver

The Canucks offensive outburst was the best thing that could happen to any bettors with money on Vancouver. That’s how they won games throughout the regular season and how they can win this series. Elias Pettersson hasn’t even gotten on the scoresheet; he is hustling at both ends of the ice, though, and could be ready to explode in Game 3.

Elias Pettersson hustling back to break up a #mnwild chance. Backcheck paycheck #Canucks pic.twitter.com/z8JOGRBti8

— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) August 5, 2020

The Wild aren’t getting much offensive production outside of Kevin Fiala, which is a big problem going up against a goalie of Markstrom’s calibre. Their tight defense is what can win them this series, but it’s hard to see that coming to fruition with all the talent in Vancouver’s top-six.

This series could go five games, but it’s best to jump on the Canucks while the price is reasonable. Bet on Vancouver’s talent coming through and getting the job done.

Pick: Vancouver Canucks (-108) to win best-of-five series