Phoenix at Vancouver

Phoenix +150 +1.5(-190) Over 5.5(+110)
Vancouver -170 -1.5(+165) Under 5.5 (-130)

No team in the NHL deserves more credit than the Phoenix Coyotes. The fact that they have clinched a playoff berth already, and are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, is a surprise to almost everyone. Head coach Dave Tippet will be named coach of the year, and GM Don Maloney should be named executive of the year. His deadline acquisitions of Wojtek Wolski and Lee Stempniak have paid immediate dividends. Wolski has scored a point a game since being a Coyote, and Stempniak has scored 12 goals in twelve games since being acquired from Toronto. Phoenix has not played since they clinched a playoff berth with a win over over Colorado on Saturday night at home. As much as we respect and admire what the Coyotes have done, there could be a let down tonight in Vancouver against the Western Conference's best team at home. The Canucks have a 27-8-2 record at GM place and should be an angry team after losing 3 of 4 games recently. Head coach Alain Vigneault is worried about his teams recent stretch run of complacency and sent home defensemen, Shane O'Brien, for arriving five minutes before practice started. This may be the right opponent for the Canucks as they will not take Phoenix lightly at all.

The Pick: Vancouver -170
Very confident in the Canucks getting back on track tonight at home.