Wednesday NHL Odds, Predictions and Best NHL Pick – Avalanche vs Canucks Odds

• The Vancouver Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, November 17th
• The Canucks have lost four straight games, while the Avs are riding a two-game winning streak
• Read below for the odds, game preview and best NHL pick

The Colorado Avalanche (6-5-1) will look to take advantage of the struggling Vancouver Canucks (5-9-2) when the two teams faceoff at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, November 17th. Puck drop is set for 9pm ET from Vancouver.

The Avalanche are being listed as -155 road favorites on the NHL betting line. Jared Bednar’s team is on a two-game winning streak, including beating Vancouver 7-1 in Denver on November 11th.

Let’s take a look at the Avalanche vs Canucks odds and give you our best NHL pick for Wednesday’s game.

Avalanche vs Canucks Odds

Odds as of November 16th at DraftKings

Canucks’ Disastrous Start

Fading the Canucks in the NHL odds is becoming a profitable betting strategy due to the team’s miserable start to the season. Travis Green’s team sits second-last in the Pacific Division with only five wins in 16 games. They’ve lost four straight contests, including a 5-1 defeat to Anaheim on Sunday.

Final from Anaheim. pic.twitter.com/csDSmP3ncM

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 15, 2021

Vancouver owner Francesco Aquilini met with GM Jim Benning on Tuesday afternoon to discuss why the team is losing games. There’s mounting pressure from Vancouver fanbase for the team to make changes. According to a report, the Canucks are going to remain patient and won’t be making any drastic off-ice changes.

Not much has gone right for Vancouver aside from strong performances from youngster Nils Hoglander and goalie Thatcher Demko. The Canucks rank bottom-10 in both offense and defense, while owning the league’s worst penalty kill (62.3%). Superstar Elias Pettersson is also off to a slow start (3G, 6A).

Avs Winning Despite Key Injuries

Colorado brings a two-game winning streak into Wednesday’s matchup with Vancouver. Jared Bednar’s team last took the ice Saturday against San Jose, where they exploded offensively in a 6-2 victory.

Blueliner Sam Girard had a workhorse performance with four points, while goalie Darcy Kuemper stopped 28 of 30 shots.

One goal.
Two blocks.
Three assists.

We've been blessed by Sam Girard tonight.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/LuKu1hdgk5

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 14, 2021

The Avalanche are 4-1-1 in their last six games despite missing several key players. Nathan MacKinnon is out with a lower-body injury, Bowen Byram is in concussion protocol and JT Compher is out four weeks with an upper-body injury. The Avs claimed Philadelphia forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel off waivers on Saturday.

Colorado’s strength is it’s explosive offense, which ranks fifth-best in the NHL with 3.25 goals per game. The Avs have been fading in the Stanley Cup odds, however, as there are key issues with the team. Colorado ranks bottom-10 in the NHL in both defense (3.38 GAA) and power play (15.2%).

Avalanche vs Canucks Pick

The Avalanche vs Canucks odds highlight two teams going in different directions. Desperation can sometimes lead to a team playing its best hockey, but it can also lead to a team oversimplifying things. It doesn’t help Vancouver that they’re facing a Colorado team who’s had their number lately.

Avalanche vs Canucks Recent Results

It’s hard to feel confident betting the Canucks right now considering their season is on the verge of spiralling out of control. In the last meeting only a week ago, the Avs were able to score seven goals on Demko and outshoot Vancouver despite not having MacKinnon in the lineup.

Colorado goalie Kuemper has allowed just two goals over his last two starts, while Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri are red-hot of late. Landeskog has three goals and 13 points in his last five contests, while Kadri has two goals and 12 points in his past five games.

Until Pettersson and the Canucks start playing to their potential, they aren’t worthy of an underdog wager. Mackinnon’s absence lowers Colorado’s price in the NHL odds, which gives them moneyline value. The Avs went 6-1-1 without MacKinnon last season and have shown they can beat Vancouver without him in the lineup.

Pick: Avalanche Moneyline (-155)