Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction NHL Picks 12/8/24

In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vancouver Canucks prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, December 8th at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 13-9-2 this year after they defeated San Jose by a score of 8-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay scored the first seven goals in the game, but they did allow a goal in the third to ruin the shutout. The Lightning outshot San Jose by a total of 35-21, won 38.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Atkinson, Cirelli, Geekie, Guentzel, Hagel (2), Paul, and Perbix, while Vasilevskiy stopped 20 out of 21 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Lightning lost to Toronto by a score of 5-3 but did beat Nashville by a score of 3-2 before that. Tampa Bay has scored 3.92 goals per game and they have allowed 3.04 goals against per game, while also going 24.7% on the power play and 78.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 12 goals, 22 assists, and 82 shots on goal, while Andrei Vasilevskiy is 11-8-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this year. The Lightning will meet the Oilers and Flames after this game.

Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview

The Vancouver Canucks are 14-7-4 this season after they defeated Columbus by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Vancouver trailed 2-0 after the first period, but they scored the last five goals in the game for the win. The Canucks were outshot by a total of 32-17, won 59.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Vancouver got goals from Boeser, DeBrusk, Sherwood, and Suter (2), while Lankinen stopped 30 out of 32 shots in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Canucks lost to Minnesota by a score of 3-2 but did beat Detroit and Buffalo before that. Vancouver has scored 3.32 goals per game and they have allowed 3.12 goals against per game, while also going 24% on the power play and 81.6% on the penalty kill this season. Quinn Hughes has led Vancouver with six goals, 25 assists, and 80 shots on goal, while Thatcher Demko is making his first start of the season in net. 

Why the Canucks will beat the Lightning

• The favorites have won each of the last nine games between the Lightning and Canucks.
• The Lightning have lost each of their last three day games following a win.
• The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six road games.
• The home team has covered the puck line in four of the Canucks’ last five games.
• The Canucks have won the second period in each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Why the Lightning will beat the Canucks

• The Canucks have lost each of their last five games as favorites following a home win.
• The Lightning have won three of their last four games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Canucks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as favorites following a home win.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last four games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Lightning have won the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Canucks’ last seven home games following a win has gone OVER the total goals line.
• Four of the Lightning’s last five games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in seven of the Lightning’s last eight road games against the Canucks.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canucks’ last five home games against the Lightning.

Vancouver Canucks Player Prop Facts

• Pius Suter has scored at least one goal in each of the Canucks’ last four games as favorites.
• J.T. Miller has recorded at least one point in 21 of his last 22 Sunday appearances.
• Elias Pettersson has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Canucks’ last eight games.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in 16 of his last 17 appearances with the Lightning as underdogs.
• Brayden Point has scored a goal in seven of the Lightning’s last eight games as road underdogs.
• Brayden Point has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 appearances in road games.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction 

Vancouver comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games while going to overtime in three of those four as well. The Canucks are 4-5-3 at home this year, while the Lightning are 5-5-1 on the road. Tampa Bay has alternated wins and losses over their last six games, but they are scoring nearly four goals per game this year. The Lightning are a very high-scoring team this season and Vancouver has scored at least four goals in four of their last five games. Take the over here. 

David Racey's Pick: Over 6.5