BOSTON — Michael Ryder and Keith Ballard both realize the Stanley Cup finals have reached a tipping point, and they’ve each got a chance to push the series in their club’s favor.

Either Ryder’s Boston Bruins will ride the momentum from their blowout victory and even the finals in Game 4 on Wednesday night, or Ballard’s Vancouver Canucks will rediscover their dominance with a third victory, earning the chance to parade the Stanley Cup around their own rink two days later.

“It’s a big game, a big point in the series,” said Ballard, a healthy scratch in the first three games. “Both teams know what’s at stake in this one.”

Ryder and Ballard are likely to be thrust into important roles when the clubs return from a combustible Game 3 in Boston.

Nathan Horton, the Bruins’ top-line right wing, has a season-ending concussion after a late hit from Vancouver defenseman Aaron Rome, giving the Bruins and their fans a deep well of injury and insult from which to draw motivation for a crucial game.

Ryder is thought to be coach Claude Julien’s most logical candidate to replace Horton alongside center David Krejci, while Ballard is likely to fill in for Aaron Rome, who is suspended for four games.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” said Ryder, who had a goal and two assists in Boston’s 8-1 rout on Monday. “I played with Krejci before, and with (Milan) Lucic on and off at times. Yeah, I feel comfortable there. I’m not sure what Claude has planned, but if I get put in that position, I’ll have to step it up.”