Vancouver at Boston

We've called for the home team to win every game thus far in this series and today I'm again calling for that to happen. Boston delivered a message last game that they aren't going away lightly. That win gives them confidence going into tonight and I think they ride that to another victory. Boston will be without Nathan Horton and Vancouver without Aaron Rome in this game. That hurts the Bruins more, but I don't think it keeps them from getting a win here. In fact, it may give them an emotional boost, as it did last game. Boston realizes that their game three win is for naught unless they win this one too. It remains a must-win for them and they will come out with fire. As good as Vancouver is, they have managed just 2.6 goals per game in the playoffs and 2.4 over their last five. Compare that to 3.0 and 3.2 for Boston. The defensive numbers also point to an edge for Boston (2.4 allowed in playoffs vs. 2.7 for Canucks). Since the midway point of the season, the Bruins are 20-8 vs. teams that average 3+ goals per game. I like Boston to even up the series tonight.