The Boston Bruins (-220), the league’s top penalty killing team, host the Vancouver Canucks (+180) and their clutch power play offense at TD Garden on Sunday. The total is 6.5 (O: -105, U: -115)Both teams will be playing on back-to-back days. The Canucks are 1-2 without a day off, while the Bruins are 1-1. Vancouver (4-8-3) is coming off a 3-2 loss against the Maple Leafs yesterday.
The Canucks committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller each scored once for the Canucks. Spencer Martin had 31 saves in the loss.Boston (13-2-0) is playing the first of four games at home after a 3-1 win over the Sabres yesterday, their third win in a row. Patrice Bergeron scored twice to lead the Bruins. Keith Kinkaid saved 30 of 31 shots in the win (.967%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 2-1 (SO) victory for the Canucks in December. Brock Boeser scored Vancouver’s only goal. Thatcher Demko got the win, saving 35 of 36 shots (.972%).
FACING OFF
Vancouver is averaging 3.40 goals per game for the season, 10th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Bruins team that is allowing just 2.20 goals a game (1st).
Meanwhile, Boston has found the net a league-best 3.93 times a game on average and will be looking to exploit the Canucks’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 4.00 goals per game (30th).
The Canucks’ fifth-ranked power play offense (26.92%) will be put to the test against the Bruins, who are the league’s best penalty killing team (94.44%).
Boston, meanwhile, has scored on 24.53% of their power play opportunities (9th), which the hosts will be seeking to add to against Vancouver’s NHL-worst 61.22% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 18 and 17 points this season, Elias Pettersson and Horvat have been the top skaters for the Canucks. Horvat is among the league leaders with his 13 goals (2nd). In the net, Demko (1-7-2) is Vancouver’s top goaltender.
He has a 4.01 GAA and a .874% save percentage.David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 23 points (3rd in the league). He has nine goals (8th in the league) and 14 assists (8th).
Linus Ullmark (10-1-0) has the best goals against average for Boston at 1.95, second-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .936%, third-best.
HOME AND AWAY
Vancouver is 2-5-2 away from home this season. Boston is undefeated at home this season in eight games.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Over 6.5 Goals (-105)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
