Game 6 Free Stanley Cup Predictions: Vancouver Canucks vs Boston Bruins
If the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final has taught us one thing it is the fact that history and momentum mean absolutely nothing! The writing appeared to be on the wall for the struggling Vancouver Canucks but a strong total team effort has them within one win of Hockey’s Holy Grail.
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Vancouver Canucks (54-19-9) at Boston Bruins (46-25-11)
Date/Time: Monday, June 13, 2011, 8:00 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: RDS (HD), NBC (HD), CBC (HD)
Canucks lead series 3-2
Canucks vs. Bruins Betting Lines from Bodog.com
Spread: Bruins -1.5 (+220)
Moneyline: Canucks +120: Bruins -140
Over/Under: 5 goals
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The series shifts back to Boston on Monday night where Vancouver has been outscored 12-1 in the two games in the series and where Bruins have won four straight games (the last two in uber-convincing fashion).
The Vancouver Canucks never panicked despite being overwhelmed in Boston – the belief in the locker room never wavered despite consecutive beat downs. I predicted then Vancouver’s defensive issues would take another game or so to straighten out but Alex Edler asserted himself with an impressive 10 hits and a strong physical presence while rookie Chris Tanev stepped in for an ineffective Keith Ballard and played solid, mistake-free hockey which was a nice surprise.
It appears that the talk of Vancouver’s defensive demise was a tad premature – depth and confidence wins out again!
Perhaps the biggest story that came out of Vancouver’s Game 5 win was the play of Roberto Luongo. After two brutal games in Boston Lou responded with his fourth shutout of the playoffs (all on home ice). Luongo has been prone to blow ups but he has also been known to bounce back in incredibly impressive fashion as evidenced on Friday night!
Henrik Sedin is still pointless, the Canucks as a team generated only 25 shots in Game 5 and the power play remains stagnant (1 for 25 in the series). How is Vancouver leading the series? Thank goodness for a solid forecheck (Vancouver outhit Boston 47-27 in Game 5), speed and most importantly the Max Lapierre/Raffi Torres/Jannik Hansen line. They were dominant in Game 5 and could be the difference on Monday night.
The Boston Bruins have their backs against the wall but they can take solace in the fact that they are a totally different team on home ice than they are away from TD Garden Arena. Truth be told, they have totally outclassed Vancouver in Boston! Boston must reignite their physical brand of hockey, exert home-ice dominance and hope to get to the previously flappable Roberto Luongo.
Boston’s defense has continued its stellar play – even in their three losses of the series, the Bruins have given up just a total of five goals. Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg have been masterful at shutting down the Sedins and Tim Thomas has been absolutely amazing in the series in stopping 164 of 170 shots directed his way. If Boston is to force a Game 7, it will be the defense and goaltending that leads the way.
Boston doesn’t need a ton of offense but they do need some. After 12 goals scored in Games 3 and 4, they were unable to get anything going offensively in Game 5. The power play can take some of the blame – after breaking out of an absolutely horrendous slump to go 3 for 7 in Game 3, the team has slipped back to brutality going zero for 10 in the last two games. Skating, hitting and imposing their will is Boston’s game.
Let’s see if they can get that edge back on home ice. [ad-4437448]
Betting Prediction: History certainly favors the Canucks in Game 6 – Boston is 2-6 in their last eight opportunities to force a Game 7 and 2-17 in series’ that they trail 3-2 while Vancouver is 6-1 in their last seven games when having a 3-2 series lead.
The home team has won every game of this series so far but that’s about the only trend that you can draw upon. The Final has been unpredictable with momentum swings dominating the headlines.
As for a winner of Game 6, I would lean Vancouver’s way but not confidently. I’m taking the Under with confidence however – the goaltenders will once again be the stars.
NHL Betting Trends:
Over is 6-2-2 in VAN last 10 road games.
VAN are 6-2 in their last 8 Mon. games.
VAN are 15-6 in their last 21 road games.
Under is 20-5-4 in BOS last 29 vs. Northwest.
Under is 6-1-2 in the last 9 meetings.
Under is 6-2-2 in the last 10 meetings in Boston.
Pick: Under – 5 goals
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