Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins odds, picks and predictions
The Vancouver Canucks (34-11-5) and Boston Bruins (31-10-9) tangle Thursday in a battle between division leaders. The opening faceoff at TD Garden is slated for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Canucks vs. Bruinsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Canucks, who own a Pacific Division-leading 73 points, returned from the All-Star break with a 3-2 win at the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday. The win kept alive a streak for Vancouver, which has not lost in regulation since Jan. 4. Since then, the Canucks are 10-0-2.
The Bruins came out of the break with a 4-1 home loss to the Calgary Flames Tuesday. The loss marked the Atlantic Division leader's first multi-goal setback since Dec. 22. Boston is 12-3-3 over its last 18 games.
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Canucks at Bruins odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:54 a.m. ET.
Canucks at Bruins projected goalies
Thatcher Demko (27-8-1, 2.43 GAA, .920 SV%) vs. Linus Ullmark (15-6-2, 2.78 GAA, .915 SV%)
Demko started Tuesday and allowed 2 goals on 24 shots. He's coming off a fine January that saw his go 9-1-0 with a save percentage of .926.
Ullmark would be making his 1st appearance post-break. Last season, he clocked 29 saves on 31 shots in his 1st effort of the 2nd half (Feb. 14 vs. Dallas Stars).
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Canucks at Bruins picks and predictions
Prediction
Bruins 4, Canucks 3
Boston is looking for its 4th straight home win against Vancouver. The Bruins are 3-1 over their last 4 overall games against the Canucks.
Boston certainly had a clunker coming out of the break. But that's a green check mark on its side for this one. Twice this season the Bruins have played at home after suffering a multi-goal loss the game before. The club won both games and by an average of 2 1/2 goals.
Yes, the opponent here is a good one. But the schedule makers did the Canucks no favors with this road trip coming out of the break. Expect some weariness in this 2nd time out.
BACK THE BRUINS -135.
The extra juice here is soaking up too much potential value on the Bruins. AVOID.
The Over has gone 16-7-3 in Vancouver's road games.
The Canucks and Bruins both rank in the NHL top-4 in goals allowed. Both sides have some expected-goal numbers that spell a fading of the defensive numbers both have posted thus far.
