Gameday: Vancouver at Boston - Stanley Cup Final, Game Four

The Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins will meet Wednesday night in game four of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden in Boston.  The Canucks currently lead the series two games to one, having won games one and two at home by scores of 1-0 and 3-2, respectively, before losing game three 8-1 at the hands of the Bruins Monday night.  That game Monday was an absolute massacre; the Bruins won every battle, beat the Canucks to every puck, and just flat out dominated them from the start of second period onwards. Tonight is the biggest game of the series so far, as the Canucks try to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series heading back to Vancouver for game five, while the Bruins look to guarantee that one more game will be played in Boston by equalizing the series at two.

For Boston, Tim Thomas will receive the nod in goal, as he has for every game this postseason.  Thomas made 40 saves on 41 shots Monday, and overall he is second in the NHL in both postseason GAA (2.21) and save percentage (.932); both are indicative of how awesome he has been during these playoffs.  He is also tied for second in the NHL is postseason shutouts with two.  On the injury front, the Bruins will be without star winger Nathan Horton, who suffered a severe concussion in game three after a late hit by Aaron Rome and has been declared out for the rest of the Final.  It is expected that Tyler Seguin will return to the lineup for Claude Julien in Horton's spot, after he was a healthy scratch to make room for Shawn Thornton in game three.

Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault is likely to give the call to Roberto Luongo, who has started all but one of the Canucks' games this postseason.  Prior to his eight-goal debacle Monday, Louie was in the top three in GAA and save percentage, but now is sixth in both categories (2.44 and .919, respectively).  He leads all goaltenders in the playoffs in both wins, with 14, and shutouts, with three. Outside the crease, the Canucks will be without defenseman Aaron Rome, who has been suspended for the remainder of the postseason for the hit that knocked Horton out.  Keith Ballard is expected to take his place.  Vancouver will also be without defenseman Dan Hamhuis (groin/leg/ankle) and winger Mikael Samuelsson (shoulder), who are both out for the season.

Puck drops for this one 8:15-ish.