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Canucks plan travel to Boston carefully

June 5, 2011


VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - There was nothing random about the Vancouver Canucks' 2,500-mile flight to Boston.

There never is when the Canucks hit the road.

Like everything surrounding a team that is two wins away from its first Stanley Cup title, the travel to the East Coast has been carefully mapped out. From how and when they get there, to when and what they eat, to the sleeping arrangements once they arrive and get ready to play the Bruins in Game 3 of the finals on Monday night.

``For us, this is not a big deal,'' Canucks forward Henrik Sedin said after arriving in Boston on Sunday afternoon. ``I don't know what Boston feels like, because they usually stay in this time zone. But we're used to this. We have to plan our day, and when to sleep and when not to sleep. We're going to be fresh tomorrow.''

All the plans have been rooted in science, with players even wearing specialized bracelets throughout early season road trips to measure circadian rhythms - internal body clocks - and how they are affected by travel.

The results are processed and translated under the leadership of the Canucks' Director of Sports Sciences, Dr. Len Zaichkowsky, a former longtime Boston University professor who has consulted with teams from the NBA's Boston Celtics to Spain's World Cup soccer club.

As a result, Vancouver has tinkered with everything from travel plans between games to who rooms together. The Canucks are trying to gain every edge possible.

``Anything that helps even a little bit is worth it,'' defenseman Keith Ballard said of the team's fatigue management program. ``We don't really have to worry about it as players. The people in charge monitor it, whether it's what time we fly or practice or eat - all that stuff. You have to find little advantages wherever you can.''

Under third-year general manager Mike Gillis, the Canucks also made significant upgrades to the amenities at home.

As part of a massive rebuild to create an oval locker room (so nobody is stuck in a corner) they added private chefs to provide meals - both at the rink and take-home options - and even a ``Mind Room'' where players can get brain training based on psychological and physiological feedback measured by computers.

How much it helps is open for debate. Some point to Vancouver's dominance in the third period this season in which the Canucks outscored opponents 100-58 before the playoffs and 24-18 in the postseason.

The Canucks won Game 1 against Boston 1-0 on Raffi Torres' goal with 18.5 seconds remaining. In Game 2, Vancouver scored the tying goal in the third and then won when Alex Burrows netted the decisive tally 11 seconds into overtime.

It's hard to argue with how the Canucks went about grabbing a 2-0 lead in the finals.

``Even if it's just a little tiny bit it's worth it,'' Ballard said,

Minimizing the effects of a tough travel schedule is very important to the Canucks, who left the Pacific time zone 15 times this season. They often had trips that took them through several clock changes, and then they endured long flights to Chicago and Nashville during the first two rounds of the playoffs.

``We're so far away, one of the worst travel teams in the league,'' said forward Chris Higgins, who was acquired from Florida on Feb. 28 and was soon asked to wear a sleep monitor bracelet on the road. ``I got here late but it's certainly something guys were talking about. They track when you fall asleep, if you wake in the middle of the night, how long it takes you to fall asleep.

``With our travel, the fatigue adds up, so the more you take care of it, the better.''

The Canucks have to travel as far east as Minnesota, south to Colorado and north to Edmonton - and that's just to play their rivals inside the expansive Northwest Division. The Bruins play most of their games in the Northeast, and the division only goes as far west as Toronto.

So that leaves them a little less accustomed to the kind of trip created by the quick turnaround between Games 2 and 3. To acclimate to the time change, the Bruins left their Vancouver hotel at 7 a.m. for an 8 a.m. flight, arriving in Boston around 4 p.m. Sunday.

``We're not going to hide the fact that we don't travel as much as they do,'' Bruins coach Claude Julien said on Sunday. ``They're probably used to this more than we are. So I think it was important for us to really look at it in a way where we had to make it the best possible way for us. Our travel was planned accordingly. We wanted to get back on Eastern Standard Time as quickly as we could.''

The Bruins left the Eastern time zone only four times all season, and have only been on Pacific Time just five times in three years. The start of the finals was their third trip out West this season, and the Bruins didn't arrive in Vancouver until late Monday, just over 48 hours before the puck dropped for Game 1.

Boston hopes to head back to Vancouver at least one more time in the series. They will have to win at least one game there to capture the Cup and become the fifth team to overcome an 0-2 start in the finals.

``It definitely takes some time getting used to with your body and the different times zones,'' Bruins forward Nathan Horton said. ``We're not so used to it playing in Boston.''

The Canucks won't pretend they are used to playing in Boston, as they are making just their third visit there in six years.

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Doubting Thomas? Not Bruins coach Julien

June 5, 2011

BOSTON (AP) - For Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien, this is not the time to start doubting Tim Thomas.

The Bruins goalie left the crease and got tangled up with defenseman Zdeno Chara early in overtime of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals on Saturday night, allowing the Vancouver Canucks to score just 11 seconds into the extra period and win 3-2.

But Julien wasn't ready to blame the goalie who is a finalist for this season's Vezina Trophy, an award Thomas also won in 2009.

``We are here right now because of his contribution, which has been really good. For us to be sitting here having to answer those kind of questions is ridiculous to me,'' Julien said after the Bruins returned to Boston on Sunday. ``He's won a Vezina Trophy already. He's probably going to win one this year - in my mind anyway - for what he's done.''

Thomas led the NHL with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage as he bounced back from a hip injury that cost him his starting job last year. He had a career-high nine shutouts in the regular season, and two more in the Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

But he also likes to come far out of the crease to cut down shooting angles, and in Game 2 he was burned when Alex Burrows pulled him out and went around him, then around the back of the net before scoring on a wraparound in overtime.

``He's got his own style, and I don't think anything is wrong with it,'' Chara said. ``It's been really successful for him. As we all know, he's probably one of the best, if not the best, goaltender in the league. So I don't see why we should change the way we play ... or he should change the way he plays.''

Julien wouldn't name names, but he said the fault wasn't all on Thomas or Chara.

``He made some unbelievable saves to keep us in the game,'' the coach said. ``So if we want to focus on that last goal, which I think a lot of other players could have done a better job, I think it's focusing on the wrong thing.''

And Thomas isn't going to change his style now.

``I have a pretty good idea of how to play goalie,'' he said, breaking into a smile. ``I'm not going to be taking suggestions or advice at this time. I'm just going to keep playing the way I have.''

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PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1: There's no doubt who will be the focus of the Boston fans' ire when the series resumes in Boston for Game 3 on Monday night.

Alex Burrows was caught on TV biting Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron on the finger in Game 1, and Boston fans thought the Canucks forward should have been suspended. The NHL disagreed.

As if that weren't bad enough, Burrows had two goals and an assist in Game 2, scoring the game-winner just 11 seconds into overtime for the 3-2 victory that gave Vancouver a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

So he shouldn't expect a warm welcome from the Boston fans.

``Once you're on the ice, I don't think you're going to be thinking about what they're shouting about,'' Canucks forward Henrik Sedin said. ``A lot of the people are focusing on the wrong things with him. If they want to focus on that with him, I think we're happy with that.''

Burrows had 26 goals and 22 assists in the regular season, with nine goals and eight assists in the playoffs. Canucks coach Alain Vignault said he expects the Boston crowd to be loud, befitting an Original Six city.

And he doesn't worry about Burrows' reaction.

``I expect him to respond the way he's done all throughout the year, and how he did last night,'' Vignault said. ``He's going to focus on what he needs to do on the ice. He's going to play the same way, which is very intense, physical. He's a great hockey player.''

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SCHNEIDER HOMECOMING: For Canucks backup goaltender Cory Schneider, the trip to Boston for Games 3 and 4 is a homecoming. But the 25-year-old rookie, who grew up in nearby Marblehead and played three seasons at Boston College, is not worried about any mixed loyalties from friends and family.

``They have a lot more allegiance to me than the Bruins,'' Schneider said.

Schneider admitted growing up a Bruins fan, but quickly downplayed No.1 goalie Roberto Luongo's fears he might wear a Boston hat on the Canucks bench.

``I've got a couple Red Sox hats in my arsenal but I'll probably tuck those away for the playoffs,'' Schneider said. ``Of course I was a Bruins fan growing up. They were the closest team and we had tickets so I went to about four or five games a year. I grew up watching those guys, they were my childhood team.''

Schneider has some familiarity with the TD Garden. He played in the building for the Beanpot and Hockey East tournaments while at BC.

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WELCOME, STANLEY: The temporary gray walls of the media section on ice level at the TD Garden - think cubicles for a very large office - have been decorated with giant pictures of players carrying the Stanley Cup.

Among them is Ray Bourque, the former Bruins captain who finally gave up on winning it all in Boston and accepted a trade to the Colorado Avalanche in the 1999-2000 season. Bourque played the last 14 games that season with the Avalanche, then re-signed for one last try the next season and finally won his only NHL championship.

Bourque, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004, brought the Cup back to Boston for a rally at City Hall Plaza that was attended by long-suffering Bruins fans waiting since 1972 to see it held up by one of their own.

That was the last time the Cup appeared in Boston, at least publicly.

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HAMHUIS ON TRIP: Top Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who missed his first game of the playoffs after getting hurt midway through Game 1 while delivering a check, made the trip to Boston with the team.

Hamhuis had six goals and 17 assists and a plus-minus of 29 that was third-best on the team. He had one goal and five assists in Vancouver's first 19 playoff games.

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SLAP SHOTS: British Columbia Premier Christy Clark is scheduled to relight the Olympic cauldron in downtown Vancouver two hours before Games 3 and 4. Former Canucks goalie Richard Brodeur, who led the team to the Stanley Cup finals in 1982, and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson are also planning to take part. ... The Canucks will open Rogers Arena so fans can watch Games 3 and 4.

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Bruins draws on past woes for confidence

June 6, 2011


BOSTON (AP) - Although the Boston Bruins realize they returned home from Vancouver with a daunting series deficit in the Stanley Cup finals, they already know an 0-2 hole isn't necessarily a grave.

After all, this isn't even the biggest jam they've faced in these playoffs. The Bruins were down 0-2 in the first round against Montreal - and both of those losses were at home.

``You've played 102 games up to this point,'' forward Milan Lucic said Sunday after the Bruins' cross-continent flight. ``We're not going to give up now. We haven't given up. If we would have given up, we would have gave up against Montreal in the first round, so we're definitely not going to give up now.''

The Bruins will make history in Game 3 on Monday night just by stepping on the ice for the Original Six franchise's first home game played in June. They'll get a rowdy reception from fans who are grateful to see their first finals game since 1990 - and eager to boo Vancouver's infamous Green Men superfans, who found a sponsor to send them to Boston.

Yet the Bruins must overcome a whole lot more than two Canadian yahoos in neon-green bodysuits to come back against the surging Canucks, who defended their home ice by dominating late in a pair of one-goal victories last week.

``Now is not the time to squeeze your stick and to panic,'' Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron said. ``It's time to go back to what's been giving us success. ... Squeezing our sticks is not going to help us at all. We've got to go out there, play our game, make sure we play loose, and at the same time play hard and desperate.''

The Bruins realize they've got to win four of five against the NHL's best regular-season team to claim their first title since 1972, but Boston's tenacity can't be doubted after surviving a perilous postseason.

Thanks to two clutch goals by Nathan Horton, they've already won two Game 7 showdowns this spring. After falling behind against Montreal, the Bruins calmly won two straight games to even their first-round series before winning it in seven. Boston hasn't lost a Game 3 in the postseason, either.

Before they rallied to beat the Canadiens, the Bruins had never won a playoff series in 26 tries after falling into an 0-2 deficit.

Now, Boston just has to do it twice.

``You take experience from that situation,'' Bruins forward Rich Peverley said. ``You don't get tense. You don't get impatient. You stay calm. We've been down before.''

Still, only four teams have rallied from an 0-2 finals deficit in 46 tries. What's more, the Canucks are rolling, winner of seven of their past eight playoff games with a depth and toughness that only seems to grow in the third period and beyond.

The Bruins are in a bit of a drought, scoring just three goals in their past three games going back to the conference finals. They're also still smarting from their late struggles in Game 2, in which they lost for just the third time in 41 games this season when they had a lead after two periods.

Vancouver dominated the third period for the second straight finals game, with Daniel Sedin tying it midway through before Alex Burrows won it with his thrilling wraparound goal 11 seconds into overtime.

Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault realizes Boston will be eager to boo Burrows, who escaped suspension after appearing to bite Bergeron's gloved finger in Game 1.

Vigneault doesn't mind a physical series, but he adamantly defends the sportsmanship of Burrows, who dominated Game 2 with a three-point night. The coach also hasn't forgotten Peverley's nasty slash on Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa behind the play in the same game, an infraction that went unpenalized.

``I think if you look at the stat sheet at the end of the day, we're hitting as hard as they are,'' Vigneault said. ``If you look at the stat sheets throughout the playoffs, we're the team that's got the most hits. That's part of our game. Kevin didn't get hit, he got a cheap shot in the back of the knee, so that's totally different. He went down because of something that obviously you don't want to see in the game.

``But at the end of the day, we know that they're a big, physical team. We can play a speed game, but we can also play a physical-type game, which I think we've shown throughout the playoffs.''

That physical play has been most obvious against workhorse Bruins captain Zdeno Chara.

Vancouver is trying to wear out the 6-foot-9 star by sticking to a strategy of constant physical collisions, even if the Canucks take the worst of those crashes. By finishing their checks on the hulking defenseman, the Canucks believe they can wear him - and it showed in Chara's numerous misplays and turnovers.

``We have four lines that go out there and play the same way,'' said Daniel Sedin, the NHL scoring champion. ``We get pucks deep. We forecheck really hard. It wears teams down. It's been like this the whole season. It's nothing new for us. I think when we're at our best, we usually have a lot of success in the third period.''

The Sedin twins' line didn't score in the first five periods of the finals, but it broke through for the tying goal in the third period of Game 2 with a beautiful passing display after forcing a turnover by Chara, who was on the ice for more than 28 minutes.

The same Vancouver line was on the ice to start overtime - thanks to a nifty bit of gamesmanship by Vigneault, who ordered his top line onto the ice moments before the puck dropped - when Burrows scooted right past Chara, around diving goalie Tim Thomas and behind the net for the electrifying wraparound winner.

``I thought we took over (with) five minutes left in the second period,'' captain Henrik Sedin said. ``You could see they were maybe a little bit tired, and that's when we came hard at them.''

Chara and partner Dennis Seidenberg have played superbly throughout the postseason, but the Sedins weren't alone in thinking Chara appeared to tire as the game went on. Boston coach Claude Julien adamantly defended Chara's work - yet he already made a move to rest Chara during power plays by taking him out of the slot and putting him back on the point, where he'll take less punishment.

Chara isn't worried about the Bruins' mental state heading into a game they've got to have.

``We feed off our home crowd, and we have to use that,'' Chara said Sunday. ``I don't think we need to do any motivational speeches at this point. We know what's at stake, and it's the Stanley Cup finals, and it's very exciting.''

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Playoff Results - Stanley Cup

June 6, 2011

Stanley Cup Final Results


Favorites are 2-0

Favorites that won are 0-2 on the puck line

Home teams are 2-0

The 'under' is 1-0-1


Visitor Home Final Score ATS OVER/UNDER

Wednesday June 1, 2011
Bruins Canucks (-200) 1-0 FAVORITE UNDER 5.5

Saturday June 4, 2011
Bruins Canucks (-200) 3-2 (OT) FAVORITE PUSH 5

Monday June 6, 2011
Canucks Bruins

Wednesday June 8, 2011
Canucks Bruins

Friday June 10, 2011
Bruins Canucks

Monday June 13, 2011
Canucks Bruins

Wednesday June 15, 2011
Bruins Canucks

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Canucks try to take 3-0 series lead in Boston

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

at BOSTON BRUINS


NHL Playoffs – Stanley Cup Finals
Game 3 – Vancouver leads series 2-0
Puck drops: Monday, 8:05 p.m. EDT
Line: Boston -125, Vancouver +105, Total: 5

The Vancouver Canucks are just two wins away from winning their first Stanley Cup in team history after Alex Burrows netted game-winner just 11 seconds into OT, giving the Canucks a 2-0 series lead. The venue now shifts to Boston where the Bruins hope to get back into the series.

The Canucks have become the sixth straight team since the lockout to win the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals at home. Only the 2009 Detroit Red Wings failed to win the Cup after doing so. In the Expansion Era (since 1967-68 season) only two teams have failed to win the Stanley Cup after taking a 2-0 series lead (the Red Wings in 2009 and the Blackhawks in 1971). Despite struggling on the power play this series, scoring just once in eight chances, Vancouver has managed to win the first two games. The Canucks scored nine PPG in defeating the Sharks in five games in the Western Conference Finals.

Manny Malhotra returned to Vancouver’s lineup in Game 2 after missing two months with what appeared at the time to be a career-threatening eye injury. He should continue to provide a huge emotional boost for the Canucks. The 31-year old has become a team and fan favorite and many players look to Malhotra for leadership. After tying a team record with 12 points in the series against the Sharks, Henrik Sedin has failed to record a point in the first two games of this series, while Ryan Kesler has just an assist. Vancouver can’t expect to continue to win without getting a better performance from those two players. Roberto Luongo has been spectacular in the series, stopping 64 of his 66 shots faced. Alex Edler assisted on both the game-tying goal by Daniel Sedin and the game-winning goal by Burrows in Game 2.

The Bruins not only have history going against them after falling behind 2-0 in this series, but will be looking for their first win at home in the Stanley Cup Finals since Game 4 of the 1978 Stanley Cup Finals when they defeated the Canadiens 4-3 in OT. Since then, Boston has lost five games and had one that ended in a tie after a power failure stopped Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals against the Oilers at the old Boston Garden. The Bruins have really struggled on the power play this postseason, going just 1-of-9 this series and 6-for-70 this postseason. No Boston player has more than one point this series. Obviously the Bruins need some production from Nathan Horton and David Krejci, who after combining for 18 goals and 34 points in the first three rounds of the postseason, have just one combined assist this series. Tim Thomas has been solid this series, even outstanding at times, but allowed himself to be out of position on the Canucks OT goal, leaving an open net for Burrows to slide the puck into. That was the third “open net” goal that Thomas has allowed this postseason.

I still believe this series will be a long one, but the Bruins need to break the hex that Luongo and the Canucks have put on their offense. I like their chances with the home crowd at Boston providing the spark they need. I’m taking the Bruins to win.

This four-star FoxSheets trend shows that the Bruins are due for a win:

BOSTON is 15-2 ATS (88.2%, +12.2 Units) after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6 games this season. The average score was BOSTON 4.1, OPPONENT 1.7 - (Rating = 4*).

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Monday, June 6

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Vancouver - 8:00 PM ET Boston -114 500

Boston - Over 5 500

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Bruins aim to tie series at 2-2 on Wednesday

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

at BOSTON BRUINS


NHL Playoffs – Stanley Cup Finals
Game 4 – Vancouver leads series 2-1
Puck drops: Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. EDT
Line: Boston -125, Vancouver +105, Total: 5

The Boston Bruins certainly answered the bell in Game 3, and if there was any doubt about if they were discouraged after losing two tough games to start the Stanley Cup, they answered it very decisively by defeating the Canucks by seven goals.

The Canucks fell to 2-5 all-time on the road in the Stanley Cup Finals after getting beaten 8-1 in Game 3. They will be without defenseman Aaron Rome for the rest of the series, as he has been suspended after delivering a late hit to Bruins’ forward Nathan Horton, whose season also appears to be over. The seven-goal deficit was the second-largest defeat in Stanley Cup history. After stopping 64 of 66 shots in the first two games, Roberto Luongo allowed eight goals on 38 shots in Game 3. Luongo was the first goaltender to allow eight goals in a Stanley Cup Final game since 1985, when the Flyers’ Bob Froese lost 8–3 in the Oilers’ series-clinching Game 5 victory. Luongo has to be embarrassed after his performance, and I expect him to really be focused for Game 4. After scoring nine power-play goals against the Sharks, the Canucks are just 1-for-16 with the man-advantage so far this series. Henrik Sedin has been held scoreless in the first three games, after tying a Canucks record with 12 points in the series against the Sharks.

Boston seemed to get most of its frustrations out in Game 3, totally blitzing the Canucks after a scoreless first period. Horton, who was second on the team in goals (8), GW goals (3), points (17) and plus/minus (+11) this postseason, will be greatly missed. Perhaps seeing their teammate laid out on the ice inspired them, as the Bruins played with a manic intensity after that happened in the first period. Boston won its first home game in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1978, and after scoring just two power-play goals in their previous seven games, went 2-for-4 on the power-play. Seven different Bruins’ scored a goal in Game 3 with 43-year-old Mark Recchi netting a pair.

Like Roberto Luongo in the first two games, Tim Thomas quieted his doubters in Game 3, stopping 40 of 41 shots. He has a .954 save percentage and 1.68 GAA so far this series, which will be even after the Bruins win Game 4. The Canucks still won’t be over their Game 3 blowout on Wednesday, but will be ready when the series returns to Vancouver for Game 5. For Wednesday’s Game 4, I’m taking Boston to win 2-1, and tie the series behind another outstanding performance from Thomas, who will outlast Luongo.

The FoxSheets support the Bruins pick with this trend.

BOSTON is 20-8 ATS (71.4%, +10.0 Units) against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game - 2nd half of the season this season. The average score was BOSTON 3.5, OPPONENT 2.3 - (Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also provide a three-star trend expecting the Under to occur.

Play Under - Any team against the total (VANCOUVER) - good closing team-outscoring opp. by 0.2+ goals/game in third period - 2nd half of the season, after a blowout loss by 3 goals or more in their previous game. (81-39 over the last 5 seasons.) (67.5%, +39 units. Rating = 3*).

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NHL Betting: Boston Bruins, Canucks Game 4

The Vancouver Canucks made a huge mistake that nearly kept them from advancing in their Western Conference quarterfinal series against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. The Canucks may have made a bigger mistake in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final that could ultimately cost them the title, as the Boston Bruins erupted for an 8-1 victory on Monday following a brutal hit on winger Nathan Horton that saw him leave the ice on a stretcher.

Both Boston and Chicago used Vancouver’s dirty play as motivation, something that could become a major factor again in Game 4 on Wednesday (5:00 p.m. PT, Versus). The Bruins opened as 125 favorites according to the Don Best odds screen as they attempt to even the championship series at 2-2.

The total sailed ‘over’ 5 goals in Game 3 after the ‘under’ went 1-0-1 in the first two games.

Boston closed as a 130 favorite in Game 3, scoring all eight goals after Horton was struck on an illegal hit to the head by Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome in the first period. Horton was the team’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs with eight goals and nine assists heading into Game 3, making him far more valuable than Rome who is sure to face discipline by the NHL when they hold a hearing Tuesday.

Horton suffered what has been diagnosed as a severe concussion and will miss the remainder of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Ironically, the league decided not to suspend Vancouver’s Alex Burrows after he bit the finger of Bruins center Patrice Bergeron at the end of the first period in Game 1. Burrows netted two goals and an assist in Game 2, including the game-winner just 11 seconds into overtime.

The Blackhawks won three straight games against the Canucks in the quarterfinals after a vicious hit to Brent Seabrook before losing Game 7 in overtime, 2-1. The Bruins are in much better position here because they administered a shellacking earlier in the series and may have finally gotten into the head of Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo.

The Vancouver netminder surrendered 10 goals in Games 4 and 5 against Chicago before getting benched in favor of Cory Schneider in Game 6.

Boston will need to take full advantage of this scenario and continue to pepper Luongo with shots in Game 4 as the team attempts to win for the ninth time in 10 games at TD Garden. It is hard to believe the Canucks still outshot the Bruins 41-38 in Game 3, but that is more of a testament to how good Boston’s Tim Thomas has been in net.

Thomas stopped 40 shots in Game 3 and shook off two mentally draining losses despite outstanding efforts. He has allowed just two goals combined in his last three home games.

Vancouver’s biggest problem going into Game 4 is the lack of production from center Henrik Sedin. The 2010 Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP, Sedin has been held without a shot through the first three games, a drought that occurred only once for him during the entire regular season.

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Game 4 - Canucks at Bruins

June 7, 2011


If there is anything we learned from the Incredible Hulk is that you don’t want to make the wrong people angry.

The Canucks poked Boston in Game 1 with Alex Burrows biting Patrice Bergeron’s finger. The NHL pushed them the following day by not suspending Burrows for said incident. Vancouver’s Aaron Rome pushed the Bruins over the edge by knocking Nathan Horton into next week with a late hit when he wasn’t looking during the first period.

Losing Horton in that fashion turned out to be the catalyst the B’s needed to get back into the series. Boston rolled through the final two acts of Game 3 to destroy the Canucks 8-1 as a $1.35 home favorite.

There was a lot to like about Boston’s win on Monday night. Mark Recchi and Michael Ryder converted two of the four power plays they had into goals. Although some folks will deride the special teams goal that Ryder had since it came late in the third period when the game was already 7-1.

What was more impressive for the Bruins was how they performed on the counterattack while on special teams. Young pivot Brad Marchand scored a back-breaking shorthanded goal in the second period to put Boston up 3-0. And Daniel Paille poured a little more salt into the wound by picking up a shorty in the third period.

It’s surprising that Boston dominated this game like they did after winning just 42 percent of the face-offs they had in Game 3. But this is a Bruins team that got back to the physical play that helped get them here, outhitting Vancouver 40-31 in the game. Plus, they took the puck away 12 times against the Canucks.

Tim Thomas was one of the many Bruins to get into pushing Vancouver around, knocking Henrik Sedin down in front of the crease. Oh yeah, Thomas also stopped 40 of the 41 shots on goal that he saw.

While Thomas was having his way against the Canucks, Roberto Luongo was in his own private hell. It was surprising to see Luongo get rocked like that by the Bruins. It was even more surprising to see him opt to stay in the game.

As bad as things seemed in that game, Vancouver’s Kevin Bieksa put the series in perspective: “Still 2-1 for us. Luckily, we are not playing with an aggregate score.”

The oddsmakers give Bieksa a little credence in this spot, posting the Bruins as $1.25 home favorites (risk $125 to win $100) with a total of five as of Tuesday morning.

While Boston is feeling confident right now, they’re going the rest of the way without Horton in the lineup. That gives the Bruins a gaping hole where a sniper once stood. However, that could prove to be a benefit for the team since Vancouver was very consistent in focusing much of its pressure his way. Ryder is the logical choice to move up to the first line to replace Horton in the lineup.

Vancouver might seem like they could be shell-shocked for this game, but Bieksa’s comments make it appear like they’ve already moved on. Bettors on the series price haven’t moved on just yet. The Canucks were $2.20 faves to win the series, and ballooned to $7.50 after winning Game 2. You could have backed the Bruins at that point for a plus-535 return (risk $100 to win $535). After winning Game 3, the B’s have been knocked down to plus-270.

You’d think that scoring eight goals in a game is a rare event for the Bruins, and it is for the most part; they’ve done that just four times since the 1998-99 campaign. That includes the fact that they won 8-6 over Montreal in February. As a home favorite after scoring at least eight goals in the previous game, Boston is 1-2-1 straight up and 1-3 on the puck line. The B’s were also blown out 6-1 on Feb. 11 by Detroit this season after that win over the Habs.

Vancouver isn’t much better when coming off of a blowout like this, evidenced by the fact that they’re 1-2-1 SU and 2-2 PL as a road pup after giving up eight goals in its previous test. The ‘over’ was a smart wager since it hit in three of those four games.

The Canucks have fared well as underdogs this season, going 12-8 SU and 16-4 PL thus far. Yet they are just 1-1 SU and PL in games that they play after failing to cover the puck line as pups, with the ‘over’ cashing tickets on both occasions. That would play right into the fact that the Bruins have seen the ‘over’ go 6-2 in their last eight home playoff games.

The puck will drop on Game 4 at 8:05 p.m. EDT on Versus on Wednesday.

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Playoff Results - Stanley Cup

June 7, 2011

Stanley Cup Final Results

Favorites are 3-0

Favorites that won are 1-2 on the puck line

Home teams are 3-0

The 'over/under' is 1-1-1

Visitor Home Final Score ATS OVER/UNDER

Wednesday June 1, 2011
Bruins Canucks (-200) 1-0 FAVORITE UNDER 5.5

Saturday June 4, 2011
Bruins Canucks (-200) 3-2 (OT) FAVORITE PUSH 5

Monday June 6, 2011
Canucks Bruins (-135) 8-1 FAVORITE OVER 5

Wednesday June 8, 2011
Canucks Bruins

Friday June 10, 2011
Bruins Canucks

Monday June 13, 2011
Canucks Bruins

Wednesday June 15, 2011
Bruins Canucks

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Bruins, Canucks meet in key Game 4

June 8, 2011


BOSTON (AP) - Michael Ryder and Keith Ballard both realize the Stanley Cup finals have reached a tipping point, and they've each got a chance to push the series in their club's favor.

Either Ryder's Boston Bruins will ride the momentum from their blowout victory and even the finals in Game 4 on Wednesday night, or Ballard's Vancouver Canucks will rediscover their dominance with a third victory, earning the chance to parade the Stanley Cup around their own rink two days later.

``It's a big game, a big point in the series,'' said Ballard, a healthy scratch in the first three games. ``Both teams know what's at stake in this one.''

Ryder and Ballard are likely to be thrust into important roles when the clubs return from a combustible Game 3 in Boston.

Nathan Horton, the Bruins' top-line right wing, has a season-ending concussion after a late hit from Vancouver defenseman Aaron Rome, giving the Bruins and their fans a deep well of injury and insult from which to draw motivation for a crucial game.

Ryder is thought to be coach Claude Julien's most logical candidate to replace Horton alongside center David Krejci, while Ballard is likely to fill in for Aaron Rome, who is suspended for four games.

``I'm not sure what's going to happen,'' said Ryder, who had a goal and two assists in Boston's 8-1 rout on Monday. ``I played with Krejci before, and with (Milan) Lucic on and off at times. Yeah, I feel comfortable there. I'm not sure what Claude has planned, but if I get put in that position, I'll have to step it up and make sure I help those guys out as much as I can. I'm not Nathan Horton, but I can try to do what I can out there.''

Nobody is sure what to expect - except slushy ice - when the teams return to TD Garden on what's expected to be a 90-degree day in downtown Boston.

Rome's hit changed the tenor of a tight, defense-dominated series that featured just six total goals in the first two games - and just two by the Bruins in the first seven periods.

Boston returned from the first intermission determined to win big for Horton, scoring eight goals in the next 40 minutes as the game degenerated into a prolonged brawl with nine misconduct penalties and 118 penalty minutes in the third period alone.

``The times we play the best are when there's been a lot of emotion in a very physical game,'' Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference said. ``(That's) what our sport is all about - finding that line, playing hard. We're allowed to be physical. That's part of the fabric of our sport. We understand that it is a very fine line. A hit like that doesn't mean the guy is a bad guy or anything. They are split-second decisions, but they're split-second decisions that obviously can affect lives.''

While the Bruins agreed it seemed a bit indelicate to credit Horton's devastating injury for improving their play, that's exactly what happened. In just two periods, Boston produced the highest-scoring performance in a finals game in 15 years, battering Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo - who allowed goals on each of Boston's final three shots - and holding their NHL-best power play scoreless in eight chances while Boston goalie Tim Thomas made 40 saves.

The Canucks largely discounted the defeat. They've been routed before in this postseason, losing consecutive games to Chicago by a combined 12-2 after taking a 3-0 lead in that first-round series.

Vancouver is most concerned about its suddenly slumping power play, 1 for 16 in the finals after being so dominant in the first three rounds.

``Five-on-five, I think we're doing a good job, but we need to score on our power play,'' NHL scoring champion Daniel Sedin said. ``We've done it all year, done it in the playoffs, (but) it hasn't been good for the first three games. We need to be better. It's costing us games right now. You don't have to score on the power play, but you have to at least gain some momentum for your team. We're not doing that right now.''

While brushing their collapse, the Canucks also decried the severity of Rome's suspension, noting apparently worse hits that went unpunished earlier in the postseason. Rome was a victim of such a hit in the Western Conference finals, missing two games after San Jose's Jamie McGinn checked him into the boards from behind.

``Aaron isn't a dirty player,'' Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault said. ``Never has been, never will be. It was a hit that unfortunately turned bad.''

The Canucks uniformly rallied to Rome's defense Tuesday after their off-day skate at Boston University. Daniel and Henrik Sedin both said a suspension wasn't warranted, claiming the hit was legal.

No matter the interpretation, the Canucks are down two starting defensemen after losing Dan Hamhuis in Game 1 to an apparently serious lower-body injury.

``You feel bad for both guys who have worked their whole life to get here, and now it's taken away,'' Vancouver defenseman Sami Salo said.

The Bruins will draw motivation from sources other than Horton, who left the hospital Tuesday and told teammates he was feeling much better. Boston is only halfway to its goal of erasing Vancouver's 2-0 series lead with at least one more cross-continent trip looming this season.

``We can't get comfortable,'' said Lucic, who got a congratulatory text from Horton on his 23rd birthday Tuesday.

``We can't go into the next game with the mindset that the goals are just going to go in,'' Lucic added. ``If you win by seven or you win by one, it's just a win in the end, and you go into the next game 0-0 against the same team. Everything is wiped out and cleaned out. As much as you can't dwell on a loss, you can't dwell on a win.''

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Bruins' Horton, Canucks' Rome done for Cup

June 7, 2011


BOSTON (AP) - Nathan Horton will miss the rest of the Stanley Cup finals with a severe concussion, and Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome also is finished after the NHL suspended him for four games Tuesday for his blindside hit on the Bruins forward during Game 3.

Horton had just passed the puck early in the first period when Rome lowered his shoulder and left his skates to flatten him, delivering what the Bruins saw as the kind of hit the league has tried to eliminate after several players sustained severe concussions.

The NHL wasted no time stepping in, quickly announcing Rome would not return to the series.

``Two factors were considered in reaching this decision,'' Mike Murphy, the league's senior vice president of hockey operations, said in a release. ``The hit by Rome was clearly beyond what is acceptable in terms of how late it was delivered after Horton had released the puck, and it caused a significant injury.''

The 26-year-old Horton, the right wing on Boston's top line, apparently was knocked unconscious, hitting his head on the ice Monday night and staying down for several minutes while medical personnel attended to him.

He left Boston's 8-1 victory on a stretcher and was taken to a Massachusetts General Hospital. Coach Claude Julien said Horton stayed overnight for observation and left Tuesday morning.

``Obviously glad to know that it's not as bad as you always suspect,'' Julien said. ``For him to be out ... obviously (there's) a long road to recovery, but hopefully he gets better soon.''

Boston forward Milan Lucic, Horton's fellow wing on the Bruins' top line, said he had communicated with Horton by text message.

``He's feeling good, feeling a lot better,'' said Lucic, who turned 23 on Tuesday. ``He sent me a birthday wish, so it's good he remembered my birthday after a concussion.''

If the Stanley Cup is awarded before Game 7, the NHL said Rome's suspension will carry over to the start of next season.

While Horton is a key offensive player for the Bruins, the 27-year-old Rome is a depth defenseman for the Canucks, usually playing in their third pairing. He has one goal and 37 penalty minutes in the postseason.

``Obviously, it's not even-up when you look at those players' impact on the game, but it's our job to deal with it,'' Boston defenseman Andrew Ference said. ``It's not the same, but that's the way those things usually work.''

Horton has eight goals and nine assists in the playoffs for Boston, which trails 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Wednesday night. He's second in the NHL postseason with plus-11 rating, and he already became the first player in NHL history to score a game-winning goal in a Game 7 twice in the same postseason run.

He skates alongside center David Krejci and Lucic on the Bruins' top line. Julien said rookie Tyler Seguin, a healthy scratch Monday night, is a candidate to replace Horton for Game 4.

Horton has been a hero in the postseason for Boston, which is in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 21 years. Horton scored the winning goal in overtime in Game 7 of the first round against Montreal - and again in the Eastern Conference finals, getting the only goal in Boston's 1-0 victory over Tampa Bay late in the third period.

Horton is in his first career postseason after spending his first six seasons with the woeful Florida Panthers. The former No. 3 overall draft pick has 168 goals and 180 assists in 502 games.

Horton was Boston's second-leading goal-scorer this season with 26, finishing fourth on the team with 53 points.

Vancouver already lost defenseman Dan Hamhuis to an undisclosed injury in Game 1 of the finals, but the Canucks are deep on defense, with veteran Keith Ballard sitting out the first three games as a healthy scratch.

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Canucks don't consider themselves villains

June 7, 2011


BOSTON (AP) - The last time Henrik Sedin looked, the Vancouver Canucks' hats were blue, not black.

The Canucks don't see themselves as the villains in the Stanley Cup finals, even after a series of contentious plays that have inspired anger and indignation in the Boston Bruins heading into Game 4 on Wednesday.

Defenseman Aaron Rome's big hit on Boston's Nathan Horton in Game 3 was just the latest incident in a postseason that included Alex Burrows' infamous finger-bite in the series opener last week.

The Canucks work hard and strive to hit hard after being criticized for soft play in past postseasons, but they insist they don't play dirty.

``I know the guys we have in the room,'' said Sedin, the Vancouver captain. ``We're honest guys. We're hardworking guys. We're a tight group. If people on the outside say what they want to say, that's fine. I don't think people see us like that. In Boston, maybe.''

Still, the postseason has featured several ugly moments for the Canucks.

Raffi Torres delivered a nasty hit on Chicago's Brent Seabrook in Game 3 of the first round, and the Blackhawks used it as a rallying point to win the next three games in the series before the Canucks closed out the defending champions in Game 7.

Vancouver's next two series against Nashville and San Jose were fiercely competitive, and the Canucks didn't back down. Before their run to the Presidents' Trophy this season, Vancouver often was thought to be too finesse-oriented and not tough enough to win in the crucible of playoff hockey.

The finals have been filled with trouble for the Canucks. After Burrows escaped suspension following the opener, Vancouver agitator Maxim Lapierre infuriated the Bruins in Game 2 by pointing his finger at Patrice Bergeron's mouth to taunt the Boston center.

Boston's Milan Lucic and Mark Recchi returned the gesture to the Canucks in Game 3, yet Horton's severe concussion and Rome's subsequent ejection and four-game suspension overshadowed it.

The Canucks have learned they can't win a Stanley Cup with clean hands, so they're not backing down from dirty work.

``I don't think we put too much stock into what people have thought of us in terms of good or bad guys,'' said center Manny Malhotra, who played nearly 15 minutes Monday night in his second game back from a serious eye injury. ``We understand there's going to be a lot of hoopla around the team, whatever people want to call us. The biggest thing that matters is what we're saying in the room.''

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THE JACKET: The Bruins have awarded a vintage team jacket to the player contributing most to each game during the playoffs, copying the age-old hockey tradition of passing around silly trophies or apparel signifying hard work - everything from hard hats to sledgehammers.

The Bruins jacket was in Nathan Horton's locker after Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals, and that's where it's likely to stay until Horton returns to the dressing room.

``It's his job to give it away now, so we thought it was appropriate to leave it with him,'' Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference said.

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POWERLESS PLAY: Weren't the Boston Bruins supposed to be the team with the broken power play?

Instead, the Vancouver Canucks' vaunted power play has lost its way in the Stanley Cup finals.

Led by the Sedin twins' peerless playmaking, the Canucks had the NHL's best power play during the regular season and again in the postseason until hitting a 1-for-16 slump in the first three games against the Bruins.

Vancouver's power play went 0 for 8 in its embarrassing 8-1 loss in Game 3, yet the Sedins seem certain nothing is broken.

``Mistakes, that's the only thing,'' captain Henrik Sedin said. ``We're not moving enough. We've been unpredictable all year because of the way we've been moving on the power play. Right now, we're moving the puck, but we're not moving players into their box. That's what we need to do.''

After entering the finals in a 5-for-61 skid, the Bruins' power play has outscored Vancouver's man-advantage unit, getting two goals in Game 3. Boston also scored two short-handed goals against the Canucks' power play.

Vancouver's game changes when it can't get production from its most dangerous offensive weapon. While the Canucks were right behind Boston among the NHL's best 5-on-5 teams during the regular season, they relied on the power play for 72 of their league-best 262 goals.

``We give them all the momentum,'' said Henrik Sedin, who hasn't been his usual sharp self on faceoffs. ``We kill all the momentum we get from the power plays. You're not going to score on every power play, but you need to get some for your team. If you're on the bench and watching them score on the power play, that's a killer.''

Defenseman Dan Hamhuis, a power-play contributor, has missed the last two games with an injury, but the Canucks won't ascribe their struggles to one player - and besides, the Sedins clearly run Vancouver's power play.

Vigneault doesn't want to overreact to the Canucks' struggles, realizing the Sedins and Ryan Kesler haven't lost their skills in a six-day span. Kesler appears to be struggling with an undisclosed injury, although he made no excuses after spending roughly 45 minutes with team trainers following Game 3.

``We're not that far away,'' Vigneault said. ``We're pretty close. We're making some good things out there. Sometimes when it's time to shoot, we're passing, and when it's time to pass, we're shooting. We're just a little bit off.''

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BALLARD'S TURN: Although Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault wouldn't confirm it, Keith Ballard appears to be the next man up in the Canucks' quest to finish the playoffs before they run out of defensemen.

Ballard is the logical choice to replace Aaron Rome in the Canucks' lineup for Game 4 on Wednesday night. Ballard said he hadn't been told whether he would play.

``I would prepare the same way either way,'' said Ballard, who was injured Boston wing Nathan Horton's teammate in Florida during the previous two seasons. ``I'm ready to go whenever I get a chance.''

Ballard is scoreless with a minus-2 rating in nine playoff games, and he sat out the first three games of the Stanley Cup finals as a healthy scratch. When the Canucks lost Dan Hamhuis to an apparently serious injury in the finals opener, Vigneault passed over Ballard in favor of Andrew Alberts, who has played the last two games.

Ballard is likely to get a chance to start earning the $4.2 million he's making this season. Although the Canucks have arguably the NHL's deepest defense corps, rookie defenseman Chris Tanev is the only other spare part available to Vigneault.

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NOTES: In Game 3, the Bruins became just the third team to win a finals game by at least seven goals since NHL teams began competing exclusively for the Stanley Cup in 1927. Pittsburgh's 8-0 victory over Minnesota on May 25, 1991, is the biggest blowout in finals history. The Bruins also scored two short-handed goals in Game 3, the first finals team to do so since Minnesota on May 23, 1991, in the same series against the Penguins. ... Bad news for the Bruins if the series goes seven games: Home teams are 14-2 in the Stanley Cup finals since 2009 and 26-8 since 2006. ... Canucks G Roberto Luongo allowed eight goals for just the third time in his career. Vigneault offered to take him out before the third period, but Luongo declined. He gave up three goals on the Bruins' final three shots. ... Weird stats: The Bruins are 10-4 when outshot in the postseason, and they're 9-1 when they score the first goal.

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Date WLT Pct Net Units Record
06/06/11 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail
06/04/11 0-*1-*1 0.00% -*500 Detail
06/01/11 1-*1-*0 50.00% 0 Detail
Totals 3-*2-*1 60.00% +500

Wednesday, June 8

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Vancouver - 8:00 PM ET Boston -115 500

Boston - Over 5 500

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Bruins go for 3rd straight win over Canucks Friday

BOSTON BRUINS

at VANCOUVER CANUCKS


NHL Playoffs – Stanley Cup Finals
Game 5 – Series tied 2-2
Puck drops: Friday, 8:05 p.m. EDT
Line: Vancouver -170, Boston +150, Total: 5

For the second straight game, the Boston Bruins sent the Vancouver Canucks limping off the ice with their tail between their legs. They have now outscored Vancouver 12-1 in slapping around the Presidents’ Trophy Champions in the past two games, which is the largest goal-differential in Stanley Cup Finals history over a two-game span.

Tim Thomas was AGAIN spectacular in Game 4, stopping all 38 shots for his third shutout of the postseason. Thomas has now stopped 141 of 146 shots this series for a save percentage of .966 and a GAA of 1.26. Thomas has set a single-season playoff record for wins (14) passing Andy Moog, who had 13 in 1990. His 38-save performance Wednesday makes the first Bruins goalie with a shutout in the Stanley Cup Finals since Gerry Cheevers on May 18, 1978. Eight different players scored goals and earned points for the Bruins in their past two games, with Michael Ryder leading the pack with two goals and two assists. The 14 wins for the Bruins also sets a team single postseason record previously done in that 1990 season. Claude Julien sets a Bruins single postseason record with 14 wins as a coach and his 31 career playoff wins with the Bruins ties Don Cherry's team record.

After stopping 64 of 66 shots in winning the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, Roberto Luongo has been terrible in the past two games. The Canucks goaltender allowed 12 goals on 58 shots in Games 3 and 4 (.793 save pct). In Game 4, Luongo was pulled for the third time in the playoffs after allowing four goals on 20 shots. The Bruins had no luck on the stick side in the first two games of the series but have scored five goals in that direction in the past two games. Wednesday, Rich Peverley’s stick-side goal was the last that Luongo allowed before being pulled with 16:11 to play. The only thing worse than Luongo in the past two games, has been the Canucks offense this entire series. After scoring 20 total goals and going 9-for-24 on the power play in their five-game series win over the Sharks in the Conference Finals, Vancouver has scored just five goals in this series and are a woeful 1-for-21 on the power play, going scoreless in their past 15 chances with the man advantage. After combining for three goals and 15 assists against the Sharks, the brothers Sedin have combined for one goal and one assist (both coming from Daniel) in this series. Henrik Sedin was fourth in the NHL in scoring during the regular season with 94 points. After scoring seven goals and collecting 13 points in nine games leading up to the Cup Finals, Ryan Kesler has just one point this series.

Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury. Boston's Nathan Horton is out for the remainder of the series with a severe concussion he sustained from a hit by Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome in Game 3. Rome is also out for the remainder of the series after being suspended four games for that hit.

With the Bruins win in Game 4, that means this is the third straight year the home team has won the first four games of the Finals. On the plus side for Boston, Tim Thomas has been nearly perfect in Game 5s in his playoff career. He is undefeated with a 0.67 GAA and a .977 save percentage (3 GA on 130 shots in 268:22) in the four Game 5s he's played in. That includes a shutout of the Hurricanes in 2009 and stopping 44 of 45 shots in a double-OT win over Montreal this season. However, the home team is 15-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals since 2009, and the Canucks have been simply humiliated in the past two games. I expect an inspired Vancouver team to be lead by a hostile home crowd, and head back to Boston up 3-2. I’m taking Vancouver to win, with Luongo and the Sedin twins redeeming themselves with memorable Game 5 performances.

FoxSheets show two trends siding with the Canucks.

VANCOUVER is 21-4 ATS (84.0%, +14.5 Units) in home games after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread over the last 2 seasons. The average score was VANCOUVER 3.8, OPPONENT 2.1 - (Rating = 2*).

VANCOUVER is 43-16 ATS (72.9%, +16.7 Units) after 1 or more consecutive unders this season. The average score was VANCOUVER 3.2, OPPONENT 2.3 - (Rating = 2*).