NHL Game 7 Picks - Bruins vs. Canucks

Written by Jake Thompson
Wednesday, 15 June 2011 17:21

It’s time for some NHL game 7 betting picks between the Bruins and the Canucks.

Each team has held home ice throughout this best-of-7 NHL Finals series, and now the Vancouver Canucks (69-26-6-5) will try to take home the Stanley Cup as they get set to host the Boston Bruins (61-33-6-6) in the final game of the season.  Online sportsbooks have the Canucks as -150 betting favorites and close to 60% of tracked NHL bettors are favoring Vancouver with their picks.  Boston has a strong 29-17-3-3 record on the road, but ultimately it pales in comparison to the impressive 37-11-2-4 mark that Vancouver has amassed at home this season.

The biggest news surrounding game 7 is that Vancouver left winger Mason Raymond (15 goals, 24 assists) has been ruled out after suffering a vertebrae compression fracture in his back during game 6.  With the Canucks only scoring 8 goals in the 6 games of the NHL Finals so far (with 1 coming in overtime and 2 coming late in a Boston rout), the loss of Raymond isn’t going to help the Vancouver offense get on track.  Although Vancouver has shown a nice offense and power play this season, Tim Thomas (2.02 GAA) and the Boston defense have completely shut them down all series long.

Boston has scored 17 goals in their 3 home games in the NHL Finals, but has amassed just 2 total goals during the 3 games in Vancouver.  The Bruins are taking plenty of shots, but just can’t seem to figure out Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo (2.23 GAA) when having to travel.  The power play has been a source of strength for Boston, but Vancouver has been very strong at defending the odd-man opportunities at home during the regular season.

Vancouver only scored a single goal during the only head-to-head clash between these clubs earlier in the season, and I have to think they struggle mightily to score against Thomas once again with Raymond’s injury further complementing things.  Boston is taking enough shots to where they should be able to at least match the Canucks’ scoring total, and this game seems quite likely to go to overtime.  I feel that although the Bruins will keep this one tight, Vancouver is ultimately the better overtime team (they are 2-0 against the Bruins in overtime games this season).  Playing at home will only help the Canucks with energy after a long, demanding series, and our NHL game 7 picks have to be on the home favorite.

Bruins 1

Vancouver 2 (OT)