We are heading into the weekend on a pretty pronounced under trend in the NHL. Only three of the last 19 games have gone over the total. We have four games on the docket tonight and 12 tomorrow, so don’t be surprised if you see these games start to creep over the total.

Here are the wagers from the FanDuel Sportsbook!

Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets, Moneyline, Total, and Odds

Moneyline: Canucks -118, Jets +100

Spread: Canucks -1.5 (+230), Jets +1.5 (-280)

Total: O6.5 +100

Odds to Win Stanley Cup: Canucks +7000|Jets +3900

Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk-free for up to $1,000!

Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets News, Analysis, and Picks

Two of the most offensively productive teams and defensively inept teams collide in Vancouver when the Canucks take on the Winnipeg Jets tonight.

Both teams are among the league’s elite in creating chances. In terms of absolute chances, the Canucks rank first in shots, second in scoring chances, and third in high-danger chances. Winnipeg is less proficient in shots and high-danger chances, ranking 12th and 16th, but rank eighth in scoring chances.

Where these teams are more similar is in their shoddy defensive metrics. Vancouver has given up the most shots, scoring chances, and high-danger opportunities against Winnipeg, ranking sixth, seventh and third, respectively.

Thatcher Demko is the projected starter, and his metrics don’t inspire a ton of confidence. He allows an average of 3.52 goals per 60 minutes and stops only 89.5% of shots. We know what to expect with Connor Hellebuyck, but the condensed schedule might already be impacting his performances. Hellebuyck has allowed three or more goals in three of his last five, posting below-average save percentages in each of those three games. It doesn’t help that this will be the Jets’ third road game in five nights.

With two potent offenses, inefficient defenses, and questionable goalies, this game could easily surpass the 6.5 total. Plus-money on the over makes this the wager to make.

Take note — the over 1.5 first-period goals prop is priced at -134, which implies that the betting market favors at least two goals being scored. The “1st Period Both Teams to Score – Yes” prop is listed at +164. The Canucks have recorded a goal in the first period in two straight, and the Jets have seen a combined six goals scored over their last two first periods. That makes the Yes to both teams to score in the first a proposition worth making. Two or more first-period goals would go a long way to helping this one make its way over the total.

Florida Panthers vs. Detroit Red Wings, Moneyline, Total, and Odds

Moneyline: Panthers -196, Red Wings +164

Spread: Panthers -1.5 (+144), Red Wings +1.5 (-172)

Total: O5.5 -115

Odds to Win Stanley Cup: Panthers +3100|Red Wings +20000

Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk-free for up to $1,000!

Florida Panthers vs. Detroit Red Wings News, Analysis, and Picks

I suppose betting on the Detroit Red Wings will be a lesson I learn the hard way, but I can’t help but see the value in backing them.

Looking at the standings, the Red Wings are among the worst teams in the league. They are tied for the fewest wins on the season and have the second-worst points percentage in the league. Relative to their metrics, they are underachieving offensively and allowing more goals than expected. You can find them in the 29th spot in PDO rankings at 0.962.

But Detroit ranks 18th in expected goals-for percentage, which implies that they should be much further ahead in the standings. We’re starting to see a progression in goaltending metrics, as Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Greiss have combined to post above-average save percentages in five of their last seven games. But their offensive output has dipped as they have posted above-average shooting percentages in just two of those seven games.

Over the course of the season, the Red Wings have posted an in-game PDO above 1.000 on just four occasions. They should continue to progress offensively, and even if goaltending remains static, they should start to collect a few more wins along the way.

There’s no disputing the Florida Panthers are the superior team in this matchup. But they do have to contend with scheduling and travel tonight. This will be the Panthers’ third game in five nights and the third different city they are playing in. It’s also the first night of a back-to-back, which hasn’t been an ideal spot for the Panthers this season. They’ve posted negative expected-goals for percentage in both previous encounters and required extra-time in both games. Tomorrow night will also be Florida’s eighth game in 14 nights, a lot of hockey.

When these teams met last week, they split the two-game set. Detroit out-played the Panthers by a substantial margin in the first game and was near split from an advanced perspective in the second game. It’s worth noting that the Panthers had home-ice advantage in those games as well. Expect the Red Wings to duplicate that success tonight and get on the moneyline at +164.