The race for the Northwest Division title is going down to the wire, and the Vancouver Canucks hope a pair of meetings against two of the worst teams in the Western Conference can help.

The Vancouver Canucks have an opportunity to gain sole possession of the division lead Thursday night when they host the Los Angeles Kings at General Motors Place.

GAME: Los Angeles Kings (33-36-3-8) at Vancouver Canucks (43-27-3-7)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 09 - 10:00 PM EST
LINE: 235, -255 TOTAL: 5.5
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Oddsmakers currently have the Canucks listed as 255-moneyline favorites versus the Kings, while the game's total is sitting at 5.5.

Los Angeles, which ends its season against San Jose on Saturday, is looking to damage the Canucks' division title hopes after winning 2-1 at Edmonton on Tuesday, eliminating the Oilers from playoff contention.

Wayne Simmonds had a goal and an assist to lead the Kings over the Oilers 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles cashed as +160 road underdogs as the teams played under the 5.5-goal total posted by oddsmakers.

Vancouver (43-27-10), which has already secured a playoff spot, is tied for first in the Northwest with Calgary after beating the Flames 4-1 on Tuesday behind 46 saves from Roberto Luongo.

The Canucks and Flames have two games left with Vancouver closing out the regular season at conference-worst Colorado on Saturday. Calgary is off until facing Edmonton in a home-and-home series on Friday and Saturday.

Mattias Ohlund scored two goals, including the winner to lead the Canucks over the Flames 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Vancouver cashed as -160 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
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Team records:
Los Angeles: 33-36-11
Vancouver: 43-27-10

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing Edmonton are 2-8
After a win are 3-7

Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Calgary are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Los Angeles's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Los Angeles's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 9 games when playing Vancouver
Vancouver is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games
Vancouver is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
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