In Pittsburgh, the red-hot Penguins will try to hold off the San Jose Sharks, who are looking to bust out of their slump. BetOnline.com has the San Jose Sharks –120 odds favorite against the Pittsburgh Penguins +100 with the over/under set at 5 goals. If the Penguins are considered hot, then Evgeni Malkin must be considered scorching. Pittsburgh has excelled despite the absence of Sidney Crosby.
The team has won three straight and six of its past eight games, and a great deal of thanks should be heaped on Malkin. The young forward has carried the load and then some, recording 30 points in the 15 games Crosby has sat out with a wonky ankle. Even more surprising, though, has been the play of Ty Conklin. Because of injury, Conklin replaced highly touted draft pick Marc Andre-Fleury. Ty Conklin has played so well he's even being mentioned in Vezina Trophy discussions.
The Sharks, on the other hand, are trying to stop a tailspin. Thursday's 3-1 win over Philadelphia snapped a five-game losing streak. San Jose is in the midst of an eight-game road trip, so beating the Flyers could be a huge confidence booster. Even more inspiring was the play of Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek. The youngsters were being counted on to carry much of the scoring load this season, but both started the season dead cold. Both scored against Philly and have shown signs of life recently. Jonathan Cheechoo has three goals in four games, and 12 goals in his past 17 (he scored only five in his first 37 games). Michalek is riding a seven-game point streak.
Still, about the only reason San Jose is winning hockey games right now is Evgeni Nabokov. Nabokov always gives the Sharks a chance to win, but they're simply not a good hockey team right now. The Penguins, however, are rolling. Get your Free NHL pick in Now!
San Jose Sharks at Pittsburgh Penguins, Sunday @ 3:00 PM EST
Free NHL Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins
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