Updated Canucks/Wild Series Odds Ahead of Game 2 Set Vancouver as +230 Longshot

• The Minnesota Wild beat the Canucks 3-0 in Game 1 of their qualifying-round series
• Game 2 of the best-of-five will be played on Tuesday, Aug. 4th, at 10:45 pm ET
• Should you bet on Vancouver now that they are +230 underdogs?

The Vancouver Canucks are now +230 underdogs to beat the Minnesota Wild in their best-of-five qualifying round series after getting shutout in Game 1.  Considering that Vancouver opened as -140 favorites in this series, is there value betting on the talented Canucks to make a series comeback and defeat the Wild?

Updated Canucks vs Wild Series Odds

Odds as of August 4th.

Alex Stalock Stands Tall in Game 1

Minnesota Wild goaltender Alex Stalock was a difference maker in Game 1 on Sunday as he stopped all 28 shots he faced to earn his first postseason win. While Stalock posted a mediocre .910 save percentage in the regular season, the 33-year-old looked very calm and poised in his first playoff start since 2014.

Jacob Markstrom was the Canucks’ MVP during the regular season and was expected to give them a goaltending advantage against the Wild. Markstrom played well in the loss with 27 saves and was burned by two Minnesota power-play goals. The Canucks took six minor penalties in Game 1 and should be better disciplined for Game 2.

Will Canucks Offense Break Through?

The value from betting the Canucks to make a comeback comes in the form of their talented offense. Vancouver was a top-10 offensive team in the regular season but managed just three high-danger chances in the entirety of Game 1. After such a long layoff, the Canucks will need to shake off the rust quickly.

Pettersson needs some help

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 3, 2020

Minnesota has a solid top-four defense, but the Canucks have been finding ways to score on good teams all season. Stalock isn’t likely to repeat his Game 1 performance, especially if Vancouver generates more high-danger chances. Vancouver drew just one penalty in Game 1 after finishing with the league’s fourth-best power play in the regular season.

This group of forwards is too talented to be held off the scoresheet for a second straight game. Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, Tanner Pearson, and Tyler Toffoli combined for just five shots on goal in Game 1. Once this talented top-six starts clicking, Vancouver’s offense is as lethal as any in the West.

Jake Virtanen Could Be Spark Plug

Canucks’ head coach Travis Green made headlines when he designated power forward Jake Virtanen a healthy scratch for Game 1 against Minnesota. The 23-year-old is coming off a career-best 18-goal season and is yet to play in an NHL playoff game. He could make his postseason debut in Game 2.

Many Canucks fans are itching to see Virtanen in the postseason, so it remains a mystery why he was in the press box for Game 1. Virtanen’s style of play suits the playoffs perfectly and could provide the spark Vancouver needs. An angry and determined Virtanen could be what helps swing the series in favor of Vancouver.

Double Down on Canucks

There’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about Vancouver when you take into account the long layoff and what occurred with special teams in Game 1. Alex Stalock isn’t one of the NHL’s elite netminders, so as long as Vancouver’s offense can shake off the rust, they’ll have a solid chance at making this a series.

This sound though… courtesy of @_EPettersson… twice. pic.twitter.com/BO0oaDjMvF

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 1, 2020

Minnesota’s +4500 price in the 2020 Stanley Cup Odds tells you what oddsmakers think of the Wild being a serious contender this season. Vancouver’s +230 odds give them just a 30.3% implied probability to win the series. I think that price is worth jumping on.

The Canucks were shutout just four times in the entire 2019-20 regular season. Pettersson and company don’t stay quiet for long and should shake off the rust in Game 2. Take advantage of the underdog value and bet on this talented group making a comeback.

Pick: Vancouver Canucks (+230)