It’s time for Round 2 in the fight for the 2010 Stanley Cup as the San Jose Sharks host the Detroit Red Wings tonight, Thursday April 29. The Wings are 3-0-1 in San Jose and the Sharks have lost four consecutive series openers, all at home.. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Sharks as -140 moneyline home favorites over the Red Wings (+120) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks Game 1 Odds & Prediction in now at BETUS.com
The Red Wings had to go to seven games before a brilliant 6-1 victory in Phoenix, on Tuesday night, eliminated the pesky Coyotes. The Wings played a big time game thanks to their big time stars who will have to play the same to get past the Sharks. The Wings' stars came up big in the opening round, led by Zetterberg, who had 6 goals and 11 points in the seven games. Nicklas Lidstrom had 2 goals and an assist in Game 7. Pavel Datsyuk scored twice in the deciding game, and Brian Rafalski had three assists. Johan Franzen had a point in all seven games "That's how it's supposed to be, right?" Coach Mike Babcock asked after the game. "Our big guys were fantastic."Those big guys, Babcock, and many of the Wings are familiar with San Jose's coach. Todd McLellan took over behind the Sharks' bench in the fall of 2008 after serving as an assistant on Detroit's Cup-winning team the previous spring."They play a similar style to us," Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg said. "We've been facing them a lot in the last few years in the playoffs. It's usually a really good series. It's well-played hockey and it's exciting for the fans." Detroit has won six of eight playoff games between the teams at the Shark Tank.
The Sharks won its last three games to beat the eighth-seeded Colorado in six games. San Jose goaltender Evgeni Nabokov allowed just a pair of goals while winning the last three games against Colorado, and Joe Pavelski topped the Sharks with five goals. They now face the Wings in the playoffs for the first time since the second round in 2007, where the Wings won it in six and raised the Cup. It was another early-round exit for the Sharks."That is our reputation right now," forward Joe Pavelski said. "You got to work extremely hard to change your reputation once something happens. A lot of us in that room have only been to the second round. I mean, a few guys won Cups. We know that experience. But it's something; you always got to reprove yourself every year." They must come out hard and fast especially in the first period. San Jose has lost four consecutive series openers, all at home. During their first round against the Avs, Joe Thornton had no goals and 3 assists; Patrick Marleau had a goal and a pair of assists, and Dan Heatley had no goals and 4 assists. That has to change for the Sharks to win. "We got it done with a lot of other people in the first round," said Heatley, who was slowed by a lower-body injury in the first round. "We just have to keep creating chances. As long as we're creating chances, we'll score some goals."
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in San Jose.
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Red Wings are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Red Wings are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in San Jose.
- Favorite is 18-8 in the last 26 meetings.
Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks
When: Thursday April 29, 2010 9:00 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Sharks -140
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks Game 1 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: Expect San Jose to try to pressure the Wings right off the hop and capitalize on Detroit's lack of rest. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks Game 1 Odds & Predictions in now at BETUS.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
