Sharks vs Ducks odds – Sharks must overcome failure of the past
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Sharks vs Ducks odds give the nod to San Jose, a team that won the Presidents’ Trophy this season but has a history of postseason failures. The Sharks face Anaheim, which won the Stanley Cup two years ago. This is the first time two California teams have met in the playoffs since 1969, and it has fans watching these sports betting lines wondering if the Sharks are actually for real this year.
Sharks vs Ducks odds: San Jose’s stars need to deliver this time around
- WHO: Sharks vs. Ducks odds
- WHAT: Best-of-seven series
- WHEN: Game 1 is on Thursday at 10:30 PM ET
- WHERE: HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA
- KEY STATS: San Jose won four of six against Anaheim this season
- PICK: Sharks in six
The Ducks won seven of their last 10 heading into the playoffs, and the young trio of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan power the offense that was 14th in goals scored. Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger marshall a defense that was 17th in goals allowed, but they had some problems in goal as Jonas Hiller took the No.1 job from Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
Giguere won the Conn Smythe for the Ducks when they lost to New Jersey in the ’03 Finals. Hiller, on the other hand, has never played a playoff game, and settling his nerves will be key to Anaheim getting off to a good start.
The Sharks captured the Presidents’ Trophy by one point over Boston, and they did it with balance, finishing third in goals allowed and seventh in goals scored. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau lead the team from the middle of the ice, but Devin Setoguchi’s breakout 31-goal campaign was huge to the Sharks’ success.
Defenseman Rob Blake had his best season in three years, and he teams with Dan Boyle on the point—an impressive one that contributed to the third-ranked power-play in the NHL. Evgeni Nabokov had another quietly solid season between the pipes, but he needs to replicate that form in the playoffs.
Stanley Cup odds are putting their faith in San Jose, which won four of six against Anaheim this season. The key matchup could come from arenas, instead of players. The Sharks won an NHL-best 32 games at home, while the Ducks were a stellar 22-15-4 on the road—better than their home mark.
DON’S PICK: The Sharks’ big players—Thornton Thornton, Marleau and Nabokov—must be better than their most recent playoff showings. The Ducks won’t go down without a fight, but their problems at home will come back to bite them. Bet on the San Jose Sharks in the first round of NHL betting.
For more Sharks vs. Ducks odds and other sportsbook lines, bookmark the Betting edge at BetOnline.com.
Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
