| 2009 NHL Playoffs: Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks Game 6 |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Monday, 27 April 2009
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 The Anaheim Ducks look to become the eighth No.8 seed to knock off a No.1 seed, since 1994, as the Ducks lead the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in the Western Conference best of seven series. This All-California series Game 6 takes place tonight, April 27, in Anaheim where the Ducks blanked the Sharks 0-4. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Sharks as -125 moneyline road favs over the Ducks (+110) with the over/under posted at 5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoff Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks Pick in now at Sportsbook.comThe Sharks regular-season NHL leaders finally seem to be heating up a bit. They gave their most comprehensive effort of the series in their first elimination game, getting goals from all three forwards on their top line, Patrick Marleau, Devin Setoguchi and Joe Thornton, who had a goal and two assists while playing with a noticeable bad temper for the first time in the series. They connected once on three power plays and their penalty kill was a perfect 0-3. Veteran Jeremy Roenick knows the importance of a do or die game. "That's what I try to instill in everybody," Roenick said after his club's skate Sunday at the Shark Tank. "Be afraid that this is your last game. Be worried, and then go out and do something about it. ... We carried most of the game again (in Game 5), but we've got to find a way to put the puck in the net. We had a lot of chances." Goalie Evgeni Nabokov hasn’t been as good as his opponent’s goalie, but he was solid in net for Game 5. He’s 2-3 with a 2.57 and has allowed 13 goals in this series. San Jose also got a boost from a new line of Jeremy Roenick, Jonathan Cheechoo and Torrey Mitchell, who skipped Sunday's practice to rest up for Game 6. The Ducks will have to rely on veterans that got them the cup two years ago. They haven't been consistent winners all season long, leading to their low seeding, but the veteran core led by defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger has been in tougher situations. "I think everybody in this room realizes that this is part of the process," said Ducks rookie forward Bobby Ryan, "You dwell on (Game 5) for two hours, but then you put it behind you. That's the beauty of the playoffs. When you're in the lead, you're going to get another shot to end it two days later." They’ve made it this far by getting outstanding goaltending from Jonas Hiller. He’s currently 3-2 with a 1.77 GAA and he’s allowed nine goals in this series. The Ducks know the Sharks will come out with bite for Game 6. "Their backs are against the wall," Pronger said. "They have to win, or they are done. That's a dangerous position to be in, and we understand that. You saw the way they came out. How we played in the third period (of Game 5), that's how we have to play from the start. You know (Marleau and Thornton) will get their points eventually. It's up to us to shut them down. Hopefully we can do a better job of it Monday." Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NHL Playoff Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks When: Mon, April 27, 2009 10:30 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Ducks +110 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoff Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks The Bottom Line: The Ducks have to play strong and hard right off the bat to eliminate the Sharks. Let’s hope Nabokov has a bad night. Go Ducks! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoff Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks Pick in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit                        |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 27 April 2009 ) | |||||||