Tonight the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins meet up in what is a very critical game for both teams tonight at 8 PM EST on Versus TV. Vancouver will look to nearly slam the door shut on this series as they have an opportunity to take a 3-0 NHL Stanley Cup lead. To put it lightly, if Vancouver wins tonight this series is all but wrapped up.
Prices for Game 3
The Bruins are anywhere from -120 to -130 on all of Pregame's trusted sportsbooks. While it's a very favorable line for a home team that is facing crisis like Boston, I still think there is some major value on the Canucks in this game. Vancouver is sitting at EVEN MONEY and above at the same books carrying the Boston line.
The total is somewhat interesting in this contest. The opening game of the series had a total start at 5.5 that was juiced fairly well on the UNDER. Oddsmakers have been able to adjust to that opening number by having the past two games at just 5. The OVER tonight is what is drawing a lot of juice. And if we look at the number of bets and the percentages currently being bet, we see the total is sitting fairly even.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins have to be shaking their heads so far. In both games, which were played in Vancouver, the Bruins were right there. Boston had chances to win both games and to come away down 0-2 has to sting. I think the best thing for Boston is that this game is being played so close to the previous one on Saturday night. I know they lost just 11 seconds into overtime, but getting right back on the ice, especially at home, has to be a good sign for the Bruins tonight. Tim Thomas has played exceptional hockey in between the pipes in the opening two games but doesn't have anything to show for it. I don't think it's panic time yet for the Bruins, and I think they can win tonight. The Boston crowd has done well for them during the post season and some of the veteran players aren't upset just yet.
"We'll be disappointed, and we're allowed to be," Bruins' Mark Recchi said.
"But we'll take a lot of positives out of these games. When we get off
that plane, we'll forget all about it. We'll worry about Monday, and
doing our job at home."
That's the type of attitude the Bruins must take to tonight's game. As they say, the series doesn't get interesting until one of the teams wins a game away from their home ice. Boston has a great opportunity to win the next couple of games at home.
Vancouver Canucks
Obviously the Canucks feel like they are in a good situation. Vancouver has DOMINATED both third periods in this series. The league's best team during the regular season held serve at home and comes to Boston up 2-0. Tonight's game could set apart the difference in this series. The Bruins have been able to play fundamentally sound hockey and have pushed Vancouver to the brink a couple of times. Each time, however, the Canucks were able to rebound and score late in the game to win. Only four teams in NHL history have rallied from an 0-2 finals deficit in 46 situations.
Boston must win four of the next five games to beat Vancouver, winners of seven of their past
eight playoff games. The Bruins have come back from an 0-2 deficit to win a series just once in 27 attempts in their history — the only time it happened was in the first round of this postseason
against Montreal. The Sedin twins were able to strike, finally, in Game 2 and they are going to have to show up tonight if the Canucks are to take a 3-0 lead. Even more important will be Roberto Luongo, who has been rock solid for the Canucks, stopping all but two of the 66 total shots he has faced.
Official play: UNDER 5 goals (+105)
Both goaltenders have played exceptional in this Finals series and the defenses have been just as good. I think Boston has a shot to win this game but I also think Vancouver can win on the road. Not being comfortable with either side, I think the total is the best bet here tonight. With great goalies and outstanding defense being played, I'm expecting a low-scoring affair.
Comments — What are your thoughts on tonight's game?