[7:30 PM] Canucks @ Red Wings

Who will WIN this matchup?

Vancouver Canucks (5-8-1)

@ Detroit Red Wings (7-6-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Ryan Miller (VAN): Confirmed

Jimmy Howard (DET): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Vancouver Canucks: (+155)

Detroit Red Wings: (-175)

 

• The Detroit Red Wings snapped a pair of winless streaks in their last outing while the Vancouver Canucks ended a pronounced nine-game skid en route to winning their first road contest of the season. The teams will look to build a positive streak on Thursday as they attempt to win two in a row at the other’s expense when they meet at Joe Louis Arena.

• Veteran Ryan Miller has yielded 10 goals over his last two outings to see his winless skid extend to six games. The 36-year-old Michigan native hasn’t tasted victory since a 2-1 shootout win over Calgary in the season opener on Oct. 15 and owns a less-than-desirable 4-10-3 career mark and 3.20 goals-against average in 17 meetings with Detroit. Disappointing offseason acquisition Loui Eriksson, who ended a seven-game point drought with his first goal of the season on Tuesday, has fared well versus the Red Wings with 32 points (17 goals, 15 assists) in 39 encounters.

• Athanasiou has been shuffled from line to line throughout the season and even found himself paired with Tyler Bertuzzi, who was making his NHL debut on Tuesday. Bertuzzi, who logged 9:57 of ice time and had a plus-1 rating on Tuesday, is no stranger to Athanasiou as the two have been paired on a line in Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.

• Vancouver LW Daniel Sedin has two goals and an assist during his three-game point streak and 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in 51 career encounters with Detroit.

• Red Wings LW Drew Miller, who is the younger brother of Ryan, has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight contests.

• Canucks F Jake Virtanen was demoted to Utica of the AHL on Wednesday after mustering just one assist and two penalty minutes in 10 games this season.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Detroit Red Wings

Confidence: 5/10

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