Boston Bruins vs Vancouver Canucks

Boston's offense continues to struggle, losing two in a row, scoring a single goal each time. The offense is ranked 29th in goals scored and shooting percentage, plus last on the power play. The Bruins are on a 31-20-1 run UNDER the total. Vancouver comes off a 4-0 shutout of defending champion Florida. Canucks' defenseman Derek Forbort returned to the Vancouver lineup, while All-star goalie Thatcher Demko made his first start of the season this week, strengthening the defensive play. Take Boston/Vancouver UNDER the total. 

Vancouver is coming off a 4-3 win in Ottawa over the weekend, and the Canucks' offense is 14th in goals scored and seventh in shooting percentage. The defense is a concern, however, losing four of seven while surrendering 26 goals. They had a 5-2 loss at home as a -190 favorite to an Islanders squad that is 29th in goals scored (2.45 per game), and a 7-3 loss to an Edmonton offense that is 18th in goals scored and 28th in shooting percentage. The Canucks' defense is 23rd in goals allowed (3.18 per game) and in save percentage (.890). Vancouver is on a 9-4-1 run OVER the total. Boston has won two in a row under new coach Joe Sacco. The defense is 20th in goals given up, 19th in penalty killing, and 21st in save percentage (.895). There is plenty of offensive talent in captain Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Their five-on-five play has struggled but has looked much better under the new coach. In the last game, the Bruins controlled the shot attempts, won 55% of the faceoffs, and outshot the Red Wings 29-20. Take Vancouver/Boston OVER the total.

Boston has won two of three and is 16-5-7 on the road this season. The defense is third in save percentage and fifth in goals allowed, while the offense is Top 10 in goals scored. The Bruins are 44-13 ATS after a non-conference tilt, plus 45-16 after having won two of their last three. Vancouver has cooled off losing four in a row and six of nine. They've surrendered 22 goals in just the last four games. Boston blanked Vancouver, 4-0, when they last met and the Canucks are 5-16 revenging a loss where the team scored one or fewer goals. Play Boston as a Max Play. 

Vancouver has a +60 goal differential, the best in the NHL. They're No. 1 in the league in scoring (3.78 goals per game), while the defense is second in goals given up (2.54 per game) and fourth in save percentage (.917). The Canucks are 16-7 in non-conference tilts, plus 22-10 against teams that average 29.5+ shots on goal. Boston has split its last four games, losing 3-2 at home to Carolina as a -140 favorite along with a 4-1 loss to Calgary at home as -185 chalk in the last game. The Bruins are a modest 152-130 at home in non-conference action, so back the talented and balanced underdog. Play Vancouver.