After almost three complete periods of scoreless hockey, the Stanley Cup betting odds favored Vancouver Canucks put in the winning goal with 18.5 seconds left in regulation. In a goalie dual with Luongo stopping 36 and Thomas 33, the game last night was the first 0-0 Stanley Cup game #1 after two periods since 1984 and became the longest scoreless stretch in NHL Playoff history beating the 19:38 record set in 1945. This marked the eighth consecutive game #1 win in the NHL playoffs by the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks opened up as a -155 favorite at home but were bet all the way up to -195 by the time the puck was dropped. Going into the Finals, Vancouver was the betting favorite to win the series at -235, but after winning 1-0 on Wednesday is now sitting at -325 to hoist the Stanley Cup (a bettor must wager $325.00 on Vancouver to win the series to profit $100.00).

If we look at the historical aspects of this series, when down 0-1 in a best of seven the Boston Bruins have a 12-32 lifetime record and are 0-9 in the Stanley Cup Finals. In the history of the NHL playoffs a team going up 1-0 is 383-178 (68%) lifetime and 55-16 in the Finals (77%). Even though the Boston Bruins played a near perfect game, if they hope to buck history and win the series they must figure out a way to get their power play back on track. At one point in game #1 the Bruins had a 5 to 3 advantage on the ice but now sit at 5 for 61 on power play chances in the 2011 NHL Playoffs. Game #2 is set for Saturday and has opened up with Vancouver favored at -200 with a total of 5.0.

Stanley Game #2 Start Time:

When: Saturday June 4th at 8:05pm EST
Where: Rogers Arena (Vancouver, British Columbia)
TV: NBC, CBC, RDS
Starting Goalies: Vancouver- Roberto Luongo, Boston- Tim Thomas
Current Odds: Vancouver Canucks -200/ Boston Bruins +170 (click for updating NHL betting odds)

Betting Dork: NBA, NHL Finals Betting Analysis with Vegas Runner

They’re just two guys sitting around talking about what two guys talk about.  But it just so happens that when Host Gill Alexander and Wiseguy Vegas Runner chat, eavesdropping could very well translate to cash in your pocket.  VR reviews how he nailed the NBA Finals pre-series line movement and discusses market perception leading up to Game 2.  Then, it’s hockey talk, as VR discusses the keys to profiting from the NHL Finals.  And yes, MLB talk, to boot.