Canucks vs Bruins: Key Matchup and Predictions for November 26, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins are set to face off on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at TD Garden, each looking to build on their recent performances. The Canucks, with a 10-6-3 record, are in fifth place in the Pacific Division, while the Bruins, at 10-9-3, are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division after securing their first back-to-back regulation wins of the season under new coach Joe Sacco.

The Canucks will see the return of winger Brock Boeser, who has been out for seven games with an upper-body injury. Boeser’s return is expected to boost the Canucks’ offense, which has been led by Elias Pettersson and Conor Garland. The duo has combined for 11 goals and 19 assists, with additional contributions from Jake DeBrusk, Kiefer Sherwood, and Teddy Blueger. Defenseman Quinn Hughes has also been pivotal, adding four goals and 15 assists from the point.

Despite the offensive strides, the Canucks’ defense has been a concern, allowing 3.21 goals per game. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen has struggled with a .901 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average. However, Lankinen has shown improvement in recent games.

The Bruins, meanwhile, have seen some positive changes since the coaching switch. They have limited opponents’ shots in their last two games but still face challenges in scoring, averaging only 2.32 goals per game. Key players like David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand will be crucial in generating scoring opportunities against the Canucks’ defense.

Predictions for the game suggest a high-scoring affair, with the Canucks’ offense expected to dominate. The Over 5.5 goals is a popular pick, given the Canucks’ ability to score and the Bruins’ recent defensive vulnerabilities. Additionally, Quinn Hughes is predicted to have a significant impact, with a bet on him taking over 2.5 shots being a favorable option.

The game will also feature several players facing their former teams, including Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen for the Canucks, and Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm for the Bruins. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

The Canucks are favored to win as road underdogs, with their strong road record and higher expected goals percentage at 5-on-5 contributing to this prediction.