Boston Bruins Vs. Vancouver Canucks – Stanley Cup Final Preview
On Wednesday, June 1 at Rogers Arena, the Vancouver Canucks will battle against the Boston Bruins in the 2011 Stanley Cup final opener.
Even though the Bruins have not won one since 1971, they have five Stanley Cup championships to their name. Tim Thomas has been their best goaltender in the game right now and he faced two Game 7s in this postseason alone. Although Boston does have some players who can light the lamp, they are mainly a defense orientated team. Along with seven assists, David Krejci has a playoff leading 10 goals. With Nathan Horton Krejci shares a line. Both have been Boston’s two biggest clutch players. Horton has three game winners, and all of his eight goals have been in victories.
Since entering the league in 1970 sporting a 0-2 Finals mark losing to the New York Islanders in 1982 and the New York Rangers in 1994, Vancouver has never won a Cup. Since its last victory in 1972, Boston is 0-5 in Cup Finals. In the NHL during the regular season, Vancouver has the top ranked offense and defense. Henrik is top in playoff scoring with 21 points as the Sedin twins, Daniel, and Henrik, are playing quite well.
In this matchup a psychological element could play heavily as both teams have more demons to eliminate in the Finals.
In online sportsbook the over/under total is at 5.5 for this match whereas the Vancouver Canucks are a -200 moneyline favorite.
DonBest.com picks the Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks seemingly have the upper hand, as is demonstrated by the fact that they are minus 225 favorites to hoist the Cup coming into this series.
Askthebookie.com picks the Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are favored by askthebookie simulations partly because they have a +3 edge in shots on goal and are projected for 35 shots on goal vs. 32 shots for the Bruins.
