2011 Stanley Cup Finals Series Odds and Predictions – Bruins vs Canucks Stanley Cup Finals Expert Picks

2011 Stanley Cup Finals – Boston Bruins vs Vancouver Canucks Series Odds, Predictions and Preview:Even though Boston and Vancouver don’t meet often enough to form a rivalry, to say that both teams are hungry for a title entering the Stanley Cup Finals would be an understatement. After all, the Bruins haven’t hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1972, and the Canucks have never won a championship. Throw in the fact that Vancouver is trying to bring the Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993, and players on both sides won’t have to search very hard to find motivation for this series.

After nearly blowing a 3-0 series lead in the opening round against Chicago, Vancouver’s path to the finals has gotten progressively easier. They knocked off Nashville in six games and dispatched San Jose in five. Along the way, goalie Roberto Luongo has steadily improved, and the Canucks depth on offense has proven too much for the opposition.

was also pushed to seven games in its opening round series against Montreal, but the Bruins bounced back in the second round with a sweep of Philadelphia. After getting pushed to a Game 7 once again in the conference finals, Boston finally put away Tampa Bay to secure a matchup with Vancouver. Shutouts from goalie Tim Thomas and surprising offensive outburst have carried the Bruins throughout the postseason.

Goaltending plays a significant role in any series, but it is even more critical in the pressure-packed finals. Not surprisingly, both teams are blessed with dominant goalies. Thomas and Luongo finished first and second in goals against average, and Thomas set an NHL single-season record for save percentage. Fittingly, both players boast an identical save percentage during the postseason. In other words, both Thomas and Luongo are capable of carrying their teams to victory on any given night.

On offense, the depth of Vancouver has been the story all year. From Daniel and Henrik Sedin to Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa, the Canucks have plenty of firepower to work with. It is the main reason that Vancouver scored the most points in the NHL during the regular season. During the playoffs, each series has seen a different hero. Kesler dismantled the Predators, and Bieksa delivered a series-winning goal against the Sharks. Along the way, Henrik Sedin has tallied more points (21) than any other player this postseason.

For Boston, Nathan Horton and David Krejci have done a lot of the heavy lifting during the postseason. The two have combined for 18 goals during the playoffs, with Krejci’s 10 leading all players. The Boston offense has also benefitted from the return of center Petrice Bergeron. The Bruins were in a 2-0 hole against the Canadiens in the first round when Bergeron rejoined the lineup, and the team is 12-5 since.

The X-factor for Boston could be defenseman Zdeno Chara. With his massive frame, he has the ability to alter and block shots. Not to mention the fact that his physical play has caused even the best goal scorers to struggle. Chara led the NHL in plus/minus this season (+33), and he is a big part of the reason Thomas enjoyed a career year in the net. That being said, this series is going to come down to which team can assert itself on offense.

With two of the best goalies facing off, goals could be at a premium. Power plays are going to be crucial, and there is no question that the Canucks have an edge in the category. Vancouver is converting on 28.3 percent of its power play chances during the playoffs, while the Bruins are converting at an abysmal 8.2 percent. Boston has scored on just five of its 61 power play opportunities thus far, and that simply isn’t going to get it done in the finals.

At the end of the day, there is a reason that Vancouver compiled the best record in the NHL during the regular season and won the President’s Trophy. The Canucks scored more goals than any other team, and they gave up the least. Vancouver has improved in every round of playoffs, and Luongo gives the Canucks a goalie that can go head-to-head against Thomas. Vancouver’s depth on offense and Boston’s struggles on the power play will be the deciding factors in this one.

Prediction: Vancouver Canucks Win in 6 Games
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2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals – Series Price from SBG Global Sportsbook
Boston Bruins vs Vancouver Canucks
Boston Bruins +195
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