The Vancouver Canucks (18-18-3) have returned from a COVID-19 break with back-to-back wins and should head into Thursday’s clash with the Ottawa Senators (16-26-4) feeling very confident.
The Senators, who have allowed a league-high 58 first-period goals this season, are expected to make a slow start again. Bookmaker Bovada has the odds at +140 for Vancouver to win the opening frame while Ottawa’s chances are rated significantly lower with the odds at +210.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: April 21st, 7:00 P.M. (EST)
It’s been an amazing story with the Canucks who were out of action for over three weeks before beating the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. With the roster still depleted by the virus, Travis Green’s team fell behind by two goals but showed great character to pull back and win 3-2 in overtime.
The dramatic victory was followed up by a more convincing 6-3 win over the Leafs on Tuesday. Goaltender Braden Holtby stood out in both matches producing 74 total saves.
Holtby has played second fiddle to Thatcher Demko all year, but his time to shine has finally come. The former Washington netminder will head into Thursday’s clash with a 6-6-2 record. He has allowed 3.41 goals per game this season with a .901 save percentage.
Two old rivals are set to meet here between the pipes as Matt Murray is the likely Senators starter. The former Pittsburgh Penguin enjoyed many postseason battles with Holtby and the Capitals on his way to two Stanley Cup wins.
The Penguins moved on from Murray last October and it’s been a surreal experience for the 26-year-old as he finds himself playing on one of the worst sides in the league just a few years after backstopping his team to consecutive Stanley Cup triumphs.
Murray has had a rough ride as a Senator, but he just posted his first shutout of the season last weekend and will enter Thursday’s matchup off the back of two consecutive wins. He has improved his record to 9-13-1 and owns a 3.55 goals-against average with a .888 save percentage.
Vancouver has won all five previous head-to-head meetings this season, so Murray’s improved form gets a big test here.
Holtby will have to figure out how to stop Connor Brown. The 26-year-old winger has been among the best goal-scorers in the league this month and recently broke a franchise record by scoring in eight straight games.
