The Boston Bruins (39-11-12) travel to meet the Vancouver Canucks (32-22-6) Saturday at Rogers Arena at 10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Bruins-Canucks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Bruins at Canucks: Projected starting goalies
Tuukka Rask vs. Jacob Markstrom
Rask puts his 23-5-6 record, 2.04 goals against average and .932 save percentage on the line against the Canucks. He has posted a 9-5-0 record, 2.15 GAA and .930 SV% in his 15 starts on the road. If you’re going to beat him, you have to beat him on the road; however, he is an impressive 10-0-2 with a 1.90 GAA and .936 SV% with two shutouts in 12 starts against Western Conference foes.
The All-Star Markstrom has posted a solid 22-16-4 record with a 2.74 GAA and .918 SV% through his 42 starts. He has been far more impressive at home, going 12-6-3 with a 2.46 GAA and .927 SV% in 21 games, with both of his shutouts coming at Rogers Arena. He’ll be looking to avenge a Feb. 4 loss in Boston when he allowed four goals on 42 shots.
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Bruins at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Bruins 3, Canucks 2
Moneyline (ML)
The BRUINS (-143) are a decent value on the road, especially due to Rask’s dominance against the Western Conference. Boston has picked up 11 wins in its past games 12 overall, and the Bruins are a strong 10-1 in the past 11 games against teams with a winning record while winning six of the past seven games overall.
The Canucks (+120) have stumbled to just two wins in their past eight, and they’re 1-5 in the past six tries against Atlantic Division foes.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bruins to win returns a profit of $7, while a $10 wager on the Canucks results in a profit of $12.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The BRUINS (-1.5, +185) have been on quite the roll lately, so they’re worth a small-unit bet on the puck line. While I think this will be a close, one-goal game, I’d probably play this for $10 if I were at a sportsbook sucking down a free beer just for a little added action. The Canucks (+1.5, -228) are too expensive if you look the other way for a little insurance.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (+100) is even-money, and a good play based on Rask and the trends of the Bruins. The Under is 5-1 in Boston’s past six games overall, and 4-1 in its past five on the road. The Under is also 5-2 in the past seven for the B’s against Western Conference foes, while the Under is 7-3 in the past 10 for Vancouver as a home underdog.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
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