The Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins face each other in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals tonight, Wednesday June 1st, in Vancouver. Boston won their only meeting of the 2011 season 3-1, in Vancouver. NHL oddsmakers have the Canucks as -195 moneyline home favourites over the Bruins (+170) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals. Be sure to check the Bruins vs Canucks NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Boston (12-6, 5-3 V) needed seven games before eliminating Montreal in Round 1 before sweeping Philadelphia in the conference semi-finals. The Bruins ousted Tampa Bay for this year's Eastern Conference title by beating the Lightning, 1-0, in a decisive Game 7 in Boston. It was the second Game 7 victory of this postseason for Boston. Boston is a team built on strong defense and solid goaltending, but the B's showed some offensive punch in eliminating the high-powered Lightning in the conference finals, scoring 21 times over the seven games. The Bruins are averaging 3.22 goals per game for the entire playoffs and have yielded just 2.50 scores per contest. David Krejci and Nathan Horton have been Boston's best forwards in this postseason. The former is leading the playoffs with 10 goals and has also added seven assists, while Horton has also notched 17 points (8g, 9a) and scored the only goal in Boston's Game 7 victory over the Lightning. Boston's defense and goaltending usually makes scoring against the club a difficult task, but the Lightning gave the Bruins more than they could handle at times in the conference finals. Even with two shutouts by Boston goaltender Tim Thomas, Tampa still managed 21 goals over the seven-game series. Thomas won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in 2009 and is considered to be the favorite for the award this year. The 37-year-old is 12-6 this postseason with a 2.29 GAA and .929 save percentage. Thomas set an NHL record with a .938 save percentage over 57 games during the regular season.
Vancouver (12-6, 7-3 H) blew a 3-0 lead to Chicago in the opening round before winning the series in Game 7. The Canucks then ousted Nashville in six games in Round 2 before beating San Jose in five tests to earn the franchise's third conference title. The Canucks used an excellent series from the Sedin twins and goaltender Roberto Luongo to make quick work of the Sharks. Vancouver captain Henrik Sedin compiled an amazing 12 points in the conference finals, notching one goal and 11 assists over the five games. Thanks in large part to that monster series, last year's Hart Trophy winner is leading all NHLers with 21 points (2 goals, 19 assists) in 18 games this postseason Identical twin Daniel, meanwhile, notched two goals and four assists against the Sharks and has eight goals and eight helpers in the postseason. Between the pipes, Luongo has gone a long way this spring towards dispelling the notion that he doesn't have what it takes to win big games. The 32-year- old netminder had a rough series in the opening round against Chicago, but it has been pretty much smooth sailing since. The Montreal native and 2011 Vezina Trophy finalist is 12-6 with a 2.29 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 18 playoff games this year. Vancouver's Manny Malhotra has been out since March 16 with an eye injury and it appears the veteran centerman will not be ready to return for Game 1. He’s expected to return at some point in this series.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings.
Bruins are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Vancouver.
Bruins are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Northwest.
Bruins are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Canucks are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff games as a favorite.
Canucks are 4-0 in their last 4 Wednesday games.
Canucks are 5-0 in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Bruins vs Canucks
When: Wednesday, June 1, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Canucks -195
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NHL Point Spreads before Bruins vs Canucks game.
The Bottom Line: The Canucks have to let Luongo see the puck and can’t crowd the net when Chara is planted there. They must pound the Bruins netminder with shot after shot and pick up sloppy rebounds. Be sure to check Bruins vs Canucks Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
