David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and the Boston Bruins are set to face off against J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena for a cross-continent showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 22, and it’ll be televised live on CBC Sports.
Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
The Bruins (-145) are the favorite over the Canucks (+125) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Boston is 39-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 62 regular season outings, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Bruins are 18-12 SU as the road team in 2019-20.
Boston enters the match up with the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 25.0 percent of its extra-man chances this season. Additionally, it has the third-strongest penalty kill in the league, and it’s successfully killed off 84.4 percent of its penalties..
With a .932 save percentage and 27.3 saves per game, Tuukka Rask (23-12-6) has been the best option in goal for Boston this season. If Boston decides to rest him, however, they may go with Jaroslav Halak (16-12-6 record, .920 save percentage, 2.33 goals against average).
Vancouver is 32-28 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 3.5 units this season. 32 of its outings have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 19-11 SU as the home team.
The Canucks have converted on 22.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for eighth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
Jacob Markstrom has stopped 30.2 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for the Canucks. Markstrom has 22 wins, 20 losses, and four OT losses to his name and has recorded a .918 save percentage and 2.74 goals against average this year.
Boston Bruins at Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of the Canucks’ last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this year.
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in four of their last five matches.
- Seven of Boston’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 6-1 in those games.
- Boston skaters have given out the eighth-most hits in the league (23.6 per game).
