Vancouver vs New Jersey

Jack Hughes is still out after finger surgery, but the Devils’ depth and home-ice edge look more trustworthy than a reeling Canucks group that has dropped nine of its last 11 and just traded captain Quinn Hughes the day before this early puck drop. With Vancouver already beaten up down the middle (Teddy Blueger and Filip Chytil still on injured reserve and Elias Pettersson recently listed day-to-day) and now missing their No. 1 defenseman, they’re asking a lot from Demko and a patchwork blue line in the middle of an East road swing, even if Demko is back from injury. New Jersey hasn’t been flawless—before Saturday’s 4–1 win over Anaheim they’d lost six of seven—but they’re getting contributions from secondary scorers like Paul Cotter, Connor Brown and Jesper Bratt, and they’ve historically tilted this matchup at Prudential Center while Jack Hughes has torched Vancouver when healthy. At around -130, I grade Devils moneyline a B+ play: not a lock given New Jersey’s own injuries and recent volatility, but a fair price to fade a slumping, shorthanded Vancouver side in its first game post-Hughes trade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 14/12/2025 09:23

Even with Jack Hughes sidelined and Vancouver’s forward group banged up, this total still leans toward offensive potential when you consider how these teams are defending right now and how their recent meetings have played out. The Canucks have been bleeding chances during a stretch with nine losses in 11 games, and taking Quinn Hughes out of their defensive structure the night before this matchup only increases the likelihood of breakdowns in front of Demko or whichever goalie gets the nod, especially against a Devils team that just hung four on Anaheim and has posted multiple recent four- and five-goal outputs at home. Historically this matchup has produced some high totals in the last few seasons, and New Jersey’s transition speed plus Vancouver’s tendency to chase games on the road both point to third-period scoring rather than a clampdown, even if injuries keep one or two elite finishers out. At 5.5 with the Over near -105, I grade Over 5.5 a B: there’s real scoring upside from defensive issues and special teams, but the injury list on both sides and an early start keep it shy of elite confidence. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 14/12/2025 09:23

Given how often Vancouver has been blown out during this 11-17-3 start and their current 1-9-1 slide, there’s a clear path for New Jersey to clear the -1.5 puckline if the Canucks’ makeshift defense (now without Quinn Hughes) struggles again in front of a tired group playing another early road game. Recent results include multi-goal losses to teams like Detroit, Buffalo and Utah, and several of those came with Thatcher Demko either out or just returning and the forward group missing key centers, making it difficult for Vancouver to protect leads or even stay within one when they fall behind. On the other side, the Devils have posted comfortable multi-goal wins at home when their depth forwards get rolling, as seen in their recent 4–1 and 5–0 victories, and Vancouver’s penalty kill has been under pressure far more often during this slump. Still, New Jersey is missing Jack Hughes and key pieces like Brett Pesce, and if this turns into a tighter, lower-scoring game because of those absences, the margin for a two-goal cover shrinks fast. At roughly +175, I grade Devils -1.5 a C+: an appealing payout if Vancouver’s slide continues and emotions from the Hughes trade lead to another letdown, but noticeably riskier than backing New Jersey simply to win. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 14/12/2025 09:23