Anaheim Ducks vs. Vancouver Canucks
March 11th 2009 – Courtesy of Bob Harvey
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Anaheim has dropped four straight on their home ice at the Honda Center and Vancouver is on a nice 12-3 run.  Cash the Canucks on the moneyline at the Ducks.

The Ducks can’t be enjoying life in the “O.C.” having lost four straight at home. That streak is likely to be extended tonight when the Vancouver Canucks visit Anaheim’s Honda Center.

This is a story of one team that has pulled away and carved out a spot in the playoff chase and another team that is in a  group of teams with a chance, but no lock, to be a playoff team. Vancouver has put together a 12-3-0 run since February to take over 5th place in the Western Conference race. They’ve done it with defense allowing just 2.3 goals per game during that stretch.

Meanwhile the Ducks are one of many teams fighting for their postseason lives. Just a week ago they were as close to the sixth place as they were to the eight and final playoff spot. Now they need a telescope to find the “final group” and they can blame that on their struggles at home where the once dominant Ducks are a pedestrian 15-15-3 on home ice this season.

The Ducks’ once top-notch goaltending has now become a cause for concern. Veteran J.S. Giguerre has struggled mightily down the stretch  He’s 3-4-1 and has allowed nearly four goals per game during the stretch. Going with backup Jonas Hiller is a possibility, but he’s lost three straight games.

Vancouver has had no such problem between the pipes. Roberto Luongo is at the top of his game going 12-2 in his last 14-games.

The Canucks have won six of their last seven games in Anaheim and are 2-0 against the Ducks this season. In addition they’ve gone 7-3-2 on the road since the start of 2009. They get my nod tonight.

Free Pick: Canucks -122

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