| Free NHL Pick: Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks |
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| Written by Steve Hastings | |||||||
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Friday, 21 March 2008
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 BetOnline.com has the San Jose Sharks –155 odds favorites against the Anaheim Ducks +135 odds with the over/under set at 5 goals. The Sharks are blistering hot, winners of 12 of their past 13 games, including Tuesday's 2-1 win over Los Angeles. San Jose has relied heavily on goaltending this season, but it was little-used back-up Brian Boucher giving Evgeni Nabokov a night off. Boucher improved to 2-0 this season with a 0.50 goals against average and .981 save percentage. It was a short stay in net, though, as Nabokov – a serious Vezina Trophy candidate – will probably play every game from here on out. He hasn't showed any signs of slowing down, so the Sharks will likely ride “The Iron Horse” till he drops dead.The Ducks are trying to hold off Dallas for fourth in the Western Conference, the final spot that grants home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoff spots. Anaheim is 7-2-1 in its past 10 games, including two consecutive wins. The latest was a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Like San Jose, the Ducks get things done with defence, ranking among the best five NHL teams in goals allowed. It won't be as easy as normal, though, since captain and No. 1 defenseman Chris Pronger will miss all but the last game of the regular season after being suspended. Anaheim has dominanted the Sharks this season, leading the season series 5-1. But without Pronger, San Jose has a big edge. Get your Free NHL Pick in Now! Anaheim at San Jose, Friday @ 10:30 p.m. ET Free NHL Pick: San Jose It's not too late to get into the NHL betting action. Visit BetOnline.com's world-renowned sportsbook today, and don't forget to check out the new and improved Casino!                        |
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