Stanley Cup Finals Pick: Canucks Going in For The Kill Against Boston
Monday, June 13, 2011
By Gordon P. Quinn
The Vancouver Canucks are one win away from claiming their first Stanley Cup championship in their 40-year franchise history. Coach Alain Vigneault's club has won three games in the series - all in British Columbia. As for their record in Beantown, well, the Canucks have been clobbered - losing both contests by a combined score of 12-1. Vancouver will try to secure the first road win of the series when it plays for the Stanley Cup in Game 6 on Monday. Should the Boston Bruins emerge triumphant; the series will shift back to the Pacific Northwest for Game 7 on Wednesday.
Boston is hoping to avoid being bounced in the NHL's final round for the sixth time since winning the Stanley Cup in 1972. Tim Thomas saw his shutout streak come to an end at 110 minutes, 42 seconds when Maxim Lapierre tapped in defenseman Kevin Bieksa's wide point shot in the third period. The All-Star netminder has stopped 774 shots in the playoffs - second most in playoff history behind Kirk McLean, who stopped 820 in Vancouver's run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994. Boston is 9-3 at home in the playoffs. While admittedly not the highest priority for coach Claude Julien, his next playoff win will move into sole possession of first place in franchise history. He is currently tied with Don Cherry with 31 wins.
The Bruins have opened as 145-Moneyline favorites on Bet Online Sportsbook’s Live NHL Playoffs Odds.
Roberto Luongo was roundly questioned and critiqued following a pair of brutal efforts in Games 3 and 4 of the series. The goalie rebounded in style by turning aside all 31 shots he faced in a 1-0 victory in Game 5 on Friday night. Defenseman Chris Tanev played well in his Stanley Cup debut. After taking the place of an ineffective Keith Ballard, Tanev even set up Tanner Glass with what - by all rights - should have been the first goal of the game. With a gaping net, Glass couldn't settle the puck and was unable to unleash a quality shot.
East Vancouver native Milan Lucic did not register a shot in Game 5 for the Bruins. He has one goal and one assist in the series. Reigning Hart Trophy winner Henrik Sedin has yet to secure a point in the Stanley Cup Finals. By comparison, he collected 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) in the first three rounds.
Boston went 0-for-4 for the second consecutive game to fall to 3-for-21 for the series and 6-for-78 in the playoffs. For its part, Vancouver continued to struggle with the man advantage in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Canucks are 1-for-25 on the power play.
Ryan Kesler will play, but didn’t skate with the team on Sunday. If he isn’t 100%, Vancouver’s offense already on shaky grounds may continue to struggle. Only ten Canucks have recorded a point in this series.
Luongo should fare better than his last two outings in Beantown but Bruins will be too much at home nevertheless.
Bet on NHL Hockey games with Bet Online Sportsbook, click here!
The Pick: Boston Bruins.
Related Articles
- Game 7 NHL Finals Pick: Boston Bruins vs Vancouver Canucks
- Stanley Cup Finals Picks: Ultimate Prize on the Line in Vancouver
- NHL Playoffs Betting: Preview of The 2011 Stanley Cup Final
- Stanley Cup Pick: Bruins Poised to Even Series Against Reeling Canucks
- NHL Hockey Futures Betting Odds for 2011-12 Stanley Cup
Category
Tags
alain vigneault - boston bruins - chris tanev - don cherry - keith ballard - kevin bieksa - maxim lapierre - milan lucic - roberto luongo - ryan kesler
