The Detroit Red Wings try to climb out of their 0-2 hole tonight, Wednesday May 4th, when they host the San Jose Sharks for Game 3 of the Western Conference semi-finals. NHL oddsmakers have the Red Wings as -150 moneyline home favorites over the Sharks (+135) with the over/under listed at 5.5 goals. Be sure to check the Sharks vs Red Wings NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
San Jose (6-2, 3-0 V) has notched a pair of 2-1 victories against Detroit so far, taking the opener in overtime before grabbing a two-games-to-none lead in the series on Sunday. Benn Ferriero tallied the OT game-winner in the opener for San Jose and Niclas Wallin recorded the biggest goal in Game 2. Wallin, a 36-year-old defenseman, scored early in the third period to stake his club to a 2-0 lead, and San Jose withstood a late Detroit rally to emerge with the win. Antti Niemi turned aside 33 shots for the Sharks. It was the fourth playoff goal of Wallin's NHL career and all of them have been game-winners. His previous three postseason goals were all overtime winners. "At the end of the day, the two teams are pretty darn even," said San Jose head coach Todd McLellan. "I think you're going to continue to see this. It's going to be a bounce or a break that goes one way. But if anybody should let their guard down, whether it's us or them, the other team is going to make them pay."
Detroit (4-2, 2-0 H) has come back from down 2-0 to win a series five times in its history. The last time was in the 2002 conference quarterfinals against Vancouver. Jimmy Howard made 35 saves in defeat and Henrik Zetterberg posted the lone goal for the third-seeded Red Wings. "I thought we skated better and had more opportunities. We just weren't good enough. They won more battles than we did," said Detroit head coach Mike Babcock. Brian Rafalski sat out Tuesday's practice with an undisclosed issue, but Babcock said the veteran defenseman will play tonight. Rafalski has two goals in six playoff games this spring. Detroit and the Sharks have met four times in the playoffs and each club has won two series. Detroit last ousted San Jose in six games during the 2007 conference semifinals. The Red Wings, who will also host Game 4 on Friday, had a mediocre 21-14-6 record as the host during the regular season, but they were 2-0 at the Joe in the opening round against Phoenix.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Detroit.
Sharks are 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 25-12 in the last 37 meetings.
Sharks are 8-20-1 in the last 29 meetings in Detroit.
Red Wings are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a favorite.
Red Wings are 8-2 in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.
Red Wings are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Sharks vs Red Wings
When: Wednesday, May-04-11, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Red Wings -150
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NHL Point Spreads Sharks vs Red Wings game.
The Bottom Line: Red Wings are deeper and better at home. Be sure to check Sharks vs Red Wings Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
