The San Jose Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday April 14, as the Sharks hope for a deep run into the playoffs. The teams met four times during the regular season, with each winning twice. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Sharks as -240 moneyline favs to beat the Avs (+200) with the over/under listed at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: 2010 NHL Playoffs: Colorado Avalanche vs San Jose Sharks Predictions in now at BETUS.com
The Avs finished as eighth seed and won’t have much of a chance, after going 3-7 in their last ten. They main reason they are even in the playoffs is because of some stellar goaltending by free-agent signee Craig Anderson. The 28-year-old appeared in a franchise-record 71 games and won 38 of them, posting a 2.63 GAA and .920 SVPCT along the way."You've got to play a strong defensive game," Anderson said when asked about his team's first-round series. "It's going to be a 1-0, 2-1 battle in the playoffs, and we've got to be prepared for that." Avs center Paul Stastny had a five-game points streak snapped on Sunday, while Ryan Stoa scored in back-to-back games. " Coach Joe Sacco said “They're a team that, in the past, haven't lived up to their expectations, but they may use that as motivation. They'll be challenging themselves to get out of the first round, and we'll be doing our best to prevent that."
The Sharks finished the top seed in the West and will have home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. They are 8-2 in their last ten and peaking at the right time. But, they’re playing a team that was supposed to finish last in the West, instead they made the playoffs. "We'll have our hands full," Coach Todd McLellan said of the Avs. "Colorado is young, energetic and enthusiastic hockey team. They have some veterans like (Adam) Foote and (Darcy) Tucker to stabilize that energy. They will come out and play extremely hard. I'm sure they will use (the underdog role) as a rallying point." They have great goaltending from Evgeni Nabokov , who also appeared in 71 games, and finished with a 2.43 GAA and a .920 SVPCT. Sharks center Patrick Marleau finished the season with 44 goals, a career high.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Home team is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
- Favorite is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
- Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in San Jose.
- Avalanche are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings.
- Avalanche are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in San Jose.
- Sharks are 7-1 in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Colorado Avalanche vs San Jose Sharks
When: Wednesday April 14, 2010 10:30 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Sharks -240
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Colorado Avalanche vs San Jose Sharks Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Sharks are going to come out hard and fast to prove their point. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Colorado Avalanche vs San Jose Sharks Odds & Predictions in now at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
