Boston Bruins at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and predictions
The Boston Bruins (34-12-12) take on the Vancouver Canucks (37-16-6) in a battle between the top teams in each conference Saturday at Rogers Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Bruinsvs. Canucks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Bruins have hit a rough patch as they’ve lost 5 of 7 after a 3-2 overtime setback to the Calgary Flames Thursday. The good news, though they have tasted defeat, they’re still tallying points as only 2 of those L’s were in regulation. RW David Pastrnak, though he has slowed down a bit, still has goals in 3 of the last 5 games and 36 on the year.
Speaking of hard times, the Canucks have lost 4 straight, and all of them were by multiple goals. They have been outscored 22-12 in that span. The Seattle Kraken took them down, 5-2, Thursday night. C J.T. Miller had a goal in that one, and he has 5 goals in the last 3 games.
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Bruins at Canucks odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:25 a.m. ET.
Bruins at Canucks projected goalies
Linus Ullmark (16-6-5, 2.72 GAA, .912 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Thatcher Demko (30-12-1, 2.48 GAA, .917 SV%, 5 SO)
Ullmark has lost 4 straight, and he allowed 8 goals in his last 2 starts. He stopped 57 of 65. He really wasn’t tested in a 4-0 shutout of the Canucks Feb. 8 as he stopped all 17 shots he saw.
Demko has been awesome this year, and he’s 2nd in the league with 21 goals saved above expected. He has lost 3 in a row, though, and he allowed 4 goals in 2 of those. He did so against Boston Feb. 8, as well, stopping 20 of 24 shots fired his way.
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Bruins at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Canucks 4, Bruins 3
The Canucks are reeling, but they maintain a 4-point lead over Dallas for the top spot in the West. Boston is clinging to a 1-point advantage on the New York Rangers in the East. Coming home from a 3-game road trip will be what the doctor ordered for Vancouver. Coach Rick Tocchet should be one of the favorites for the Jack Adams Award, and he’ll refocus the squad for a big win Saturday.
Take the CANUCKS -110.
I don’t like either side of the sword here.
The Bruins have won 3 straight, but the Canucks are a young, ascending team. They’re going to be hungry, and I look for multiple lamps lit in the 1st. Each of the last 3 meetings have had 2+ goals in the opening frame.
Take OVER 1.5 TOTAL GOALS IN THE FIRST PERIOD (-125).
While Boston has won the last 3, the total has gone Under in the last 2 meetings. That’s because Vancouver combined to score 1 goal in those 2 tilts. That’s not going to happen here, and I look for a back-and-forth battle.
