Vancouver-canucks vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

Canucks host up-and-down Bruins

The Vancouver Canucks welcome the Boston Bruins to Rogers Arena on Saturday night in a clash of two teams navigating contrasting fortunes. The Bruins, eager to bounce back from a rough start to their Western Conference road trip, will face a Canucks squad building momentum after a strong recent performance.

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Bruins Struggle to Find Stability on the Road

The Boston Bruins entered their five-game road swing with momentum, boasting a 7-2-0 record under interim head coach Joe Sacco. However, their form unraveled quickly with back-to-back blowout losses:

• 8-1 at Winnipeg
• 5-1 at Seattle

Thursday’s game against the Kraken highlighted Boston’s issues, starting with penalty trouble in the opening six minutes. Despite generating 34 shots to Seattle’s 21, the Bruins managed just one goal, courtesy of captain Brad Marchand on a penalty shot. Sacco acknowledged the team’s efforts but admitted they need to be more clinical and disciplined.

“After the first six minutes of the game where we were short-handed three times, I thought our 5-on-5 game started to come around,” Sacco said. “We generated opportunities, but it just didn’t go in the back of the net.”

Adding to their woes, Boston lost center Elias Lindholm to an upper-body injury midway through the Seattle game. His status remains uncertain, leaving the Bruins with a depth concern as they prepare for a grueling stretch in Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Marchand, who is riding a five-game point streak (four goals, two assists), emphasized the importance of defensive stability.

“If you give up five goals, I guess it’s a positive to say we got a lot of shots,” Marchand said. “But they had a lot of Grade-A chances. We can’t give up that many goals. It definitely doesn’t make me feel better about the game.”

Boston’s road struggles are apparent in their 6-7-1 away record this season. Saturday’s game offers them a chance to regroup and even their road trip tally.

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Canucks Build Momentum Despite Home Struggles

The Vancouver Canucks enter the matchup as a team searching for consistency, particularly at home, where they hold a 5-6-4 record. However, their overall form suggests a team on the rise, having gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.

Vancouver snapped a two-game skid on Thursday with a dominant 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers, showcasing a strong team effort. Goalie Kevin Lankinen earned his third shutout of the season with 27 saves, while contributions came from across the lineup:

• Jake DeBrusk, a former Bruin, scored his 14th goal of the season.
• Brock Boeser celebrated his 500th NHL game with a goal.
• Carson Soucy added his first tally of the season.

Head coach Rick Tocchet praised the performance, calling it a step toward building a team identity.

“It was a game where everybody contributed,” Tocchet said. “Good team identity. A lot of good efforts from a lot of different guys. I thought the defensemen were scrappy, and obviously ‘Lanks’ had a great game.”

The Canucks’ depth was further boosted by the return of alternate captain J.T. Miller from personal leave. Miller registered two assists, highlighting his importance to the lineup both on and off the ice.

“(Miller) brings so much, so many different angles,” said defenseman Tyler Myers. “What he does for our lineup, balancing it out, and what he does for the room with his leadership and his presence.”

Key Players to Watch

Boston Bruins

• Brad Marchand: With points in five consecutive games, Marchand remains Boston’s most reliable offensive threat during a difficult stretch.
• Goalie Situation: With defense being an Achilles’ heel, Boston’s goaltender will need to step up to stop a dynamic Vancouver offense.

Vancouver Canucks

• Jake DeBrusk: Leading the league with seven goals since Dec. 1, DeBrusk is flourishing in Vancouver after signing a seven-year deal in July. His knack for scoring timely goals makes him a game-changer.
• Kevin Lankinen: The goaltender’s stellar form provides Vancouver a strong defensive backbone, as seen in his latest shutout.

Matchup Keys

1. Defensive Discipline:
   • The Bruins must avoid early penalties, as they’ve been repeatedly burned by opposing power plays.
   • The Canucks’ defense must replicate their effort against Florida, limiting Boston’s chances.
2. Special Teams Efficiency:
   • Boston needs to convert on power plays and stymie Vancouver’s opportunities with disciplined penalty killing.
3. Third-Period Execution:
   • Both teams have struggled with third-period collapses, making late-game resilience a deciding factor.

Outlook

For the Bruins, Saturday’s game is an opportunity to course-correct amid a turbulent road trip. Their defensive struggles, third-period woes, and injury to Lindholm pose challenges they must overcome to avoid slipping further. Meanwhile, the Canucks are eyeing consistency, with recent contributions across the roster pointing to a cohesive team identity.

With players like Marchand and DeBrusk leading their respective squads, the game promises high stakes and intense action. A win for Vancouver would solidify their resurgence, while a victory for Boston could reignite their momentum on this pivotal road trip.

Prediction: A closely contested matchup that hinges on goaltending and defensive discipline. Vancouver’s home record may be a concern, but their recent form and team balance give them the edge in this encounter.