It has been a crazy 24 hours for Canadian Belmont betting enthusiasts also gambling on the NHL. Firstly, the NHL shocked the sports betting world by agreeing to allow a Canadian company to purchase the Atlanta Thrashers and move the team to Winnipeg for the start of next season. Than to top themselves, the NHL kicks off the Stanley Cup final between two teams trying to break long Stanley Cup droughts tonight in Vancouver. Here is a preview of the Stanley Cup Finals.

This year’s Stanley Cup Final is the first time in four years that a Canadian team has made it to the Stanley Cup, as the President’s Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks battle original six franchise the Boston Bruins. On paper, this series looks like a mismatch, as the Canucks dominated the NHL with an impressive 117 points during the regular season, and grew into an elite level team as the playoffs have progressed. Boston on the contrary, had a decent regular season, but similar to the Canucks grew to be more dominant as the playoffs progressed.

After five days of layoff, the Bruins and Canucks finally get back to action tonight. Game one in Vancouver marks the first game in the Vancouver since the 1994 Stanley Cup season in which the Canucks lost in seven games to the New York Rangers. On the other side of things, the Boston Bruins haven’t seen the Stanley Cup finals since 1990 when they were swept in four games by the overwhelming Edmonton Oilers.

Tonight, something has to give, as both teams have gone undefeated in the playoffs after winning game one of a series. What’s more, history shows that the team to win game one of the finals, usually goes on to win the final. For Canadian hockey fans, let’s hope Vancouver wins game one tonight.