The Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks are going to clash at TD Garden tonight in what we believe to be a competitive matchup that’s ripe for the bets.
The Bruins, slight favorites at -125 on the moneyline, are looking to fend off a fairly dominant Canucks team listed at +105. Both teams come in with a decent amount of momentum which is undoubtedly setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
The moneyline just goes to show the tight nature of this game.
Boston, coming in at 10-9-3, holds the home-ice advantage, but don’t sleep on Vancouver (10-6-3) who has shown some resilience as of late, going 6-4-0 straight up over their last 10 games.
The over/under sits at 5.5 goals, which means the bookmakers think this will be a fairly low scoring game. However, it’s a number both teams have approached or exceeded frequently in the last few games.
Vancouver’s recent games have averaged a whopping 6.1 goals, while Boston’s total has been slightly lower but still competitive.
With the odds under our belt, it’s time to see what we can do with our bet slips. There’s plenty of opportunity in this matchup.
The Bruins are anchored by the dominant David Pastrnak. He leads the team with 19 points in 22 games which puts him in the upper third of the NHL. He’s not the best, but pretty sharp.
Pastrnak's consistency will be vital for tonight, as Boston has struggled offensively. They’ve scored 1 goal less per game over their last 10 contests compared to their season average.
Jeremy Swayman's goaltending is somewhat of a concern as well, with a dismal .887 save percentage and a 3.3 goals-against average. This isn’t all on him, though. Defensive lapses could spell trouble against Vancouver's strong attack.
Injuries further complicate Boston's situation. Alec Regula and Hampus Lindholm are sidelined and they’re key players on this lineup. Their absence might expose the Bruins' defense to more pressure, something they can ill-afford given recent form.
The Canucks boast an effective offensive core which is led by Quinn Hughes. He’s tallied 19 points with 15 assists this season. He’s a threat whenever he’s on the ice.
While their scoring depth is there, goaltender Kevin Lankinen has been the real standout. He’s posting a solid .901 save percentage and is a beast between the pipes. However, the absence of key players like Thatcher Demko and J.T. Miller could limit their ability to sustain any amount of offensive pressure. Do the Bruins have what it takes to capitalize on this?
Vancouver has shown they can outscore other teams when needed, which is simply underscored by their last 10 games averaging 9.2 goals combined. If their top line clicks tonight and Hughes dictates the tempo, the Canucks will be a tough out.
That’s a lot to unwind, but there’s some money to be made if you read between the lines.
The Bruins, while struggling recently, have the experience and home-ice edge to turn things around in the game tonight. Vancouver’s injuries to key contributors may tilt this game in Boston’s favor. We expect the Bruins to tighten defensively and take advantage of their opportunities.
BettorsInsider Prediction: Bruins 4, Canucks 3.
As for our best bet, we’ll take the Bruins moneyline (-125). Their slight edge in depth and the comfort of playing at home make them the better pick. This might be too close to take the puckline, but the moneyline is a pretty good deal even at negative odds.
If you’re looking at totals, the over 5.5 goals is worth considering given both teams' recent high-scoring trends.