A win for the Dallas Stars at home tonight means they advance, a loss for the San Jose Sharks means the beginning of the end. The Stars have a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Semi-finals best of seven series and they’re looking to sweep. Oddsmakers at Betway.com have the Stars as 2.10 home favs over the Sharks 2.85 with the over/under posted at 5 goals. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at Betway.com
The Stars knocked out the reigning Stanley Cup Champs, the Anaheim Ducks, and now they have a chance to sink the heavily favored Sharks. If they win tonight they will make the Western Finals for the first time since 2000 and it’ll be their first series sweep since 1999. The Stars offense is one of the hottest in the playoffs right now. They have nine players with two or more goals and six players with four or more assists. Brendan Morrow leads with five goals while Mike Ribeiro is their top producer with 13pts. Goalie Marty Turco is shining brightly in net; he’s 7-2 with a 1.86 GAA along with one shutout. Their power play has a goal a game in three games or 11 tries while their penalty kill has allowed only one goal all series. They’ve almost doubled their shots on net since Game 1 which increases their chances of scoring. They’ve averaged 3.20 GAG in their last five while their opponents are averaging 2.00 GAG. The Stars are 3-1 SU on home ice.
The Sharks were heavy favorites to challenge for the Cup, but since they forced a Game 7 against Calgary and now they risk being swept, it may be time to revamp the Sharks. They’ve been outscored 5-10 in three games while their power play has been only able to score one goal. Their penalty kill has let them down big time, they’ve been out hustled and beaten by the toughness of the Stars. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov was great in the regular season, but has struggled in these playoffs. He’s 4-6 with a 2.59 GAA with one shutout. He’s allowed 26 goals in 10 games played. Joe Pavelski, Jonathan Cheechoo and Ryane Clowe have four goals apiece while big man Joe Thornton has 7pts. Only three teams have ever come back from a 0-3 series deficit and they’ve suffered just one sweep in franchise history, done by Detroit in the 1995 conference semifinals.
Recent Trends to Consider
- Sharks are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
- Sharks are 1-5 in their last 6 road games.
- Sharks are 0-5 in their last 5 vs. Pacific.
- Sharks are 0-6 in their last 6 Conference Semifinals games.
- Stars are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Western Conference.
- Stars are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Pacific.
- Stars are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite.
- Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
GAME: San Jose Sharks (53-27-6-6) at Dallas Stars (52-32-4-3)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, April 30 – 9:00 PM EST
LINE: Betway.com TOTAL: 5
PICK: Dallas 2.10
The Bottom Line: The Stars made all the right moves at the trade deadline and it’s paying off. They’re scoring goals like crazy and Turco is playing his best hockey in years. The Stars aren’t going to start slipping now. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at Betway.com
