Vancouver at Arizona

Vancouver is five points out of a playoff spot and cannot afford to lose many games the rest of the season after suffering a tough 3-2 shootout loss at Colorado last night. The Canucks will try to slow down the Coyotes, who have won four straight and are battling for playoff position themselves. The Canucks also look to avenge two overtime losses to Arizona this season, including a 3-2 defeat just last week. Thatcher Demko is expected to make his second start of the season in goal for the Canucks after he made 39 saves in a 4-3 loss to Buffalo. The underdog has won six of the last eight meetings and the Coyotes have won only 15 of their last 54 Thursday games. Vancouver is getting good value in a near must-win situation, so play the Canucks.