The San Jose Sharks will take their second of three straight shots at eliminating the Detroit Red Wings in their 2011 Western conference semi final series on Tuesday. While the Sharks looked good while building a three-game series lead, all five contests have been decided by just one goal and the last two have gone in Detroit’s favor. San Jose will not want to go to a seventh and deciding game against a veteran team that knows what it takes to be a champion, but they will be in tough to get the job done in the hostile Joe Louis Arena.
San Jose Sharks @ Detroit Red Wings
Tuesday May 10, 2011 – 8:00 PM ET
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Online Sports Betting Odds: Detroit – 120
The Red Wings have been one of the toughest teams to beat on home ice over the past few years, and another sellout crowd will try to help them earn a decisive game seven and avoid leaving the MLB betting Tigers as the city’s only hope this spring.
NHL Betting Preview: San Jose Sharks
While the offense has been consistent throughout the postseason, the Sharks have had trouble at their own end in allowing eight goals in consecutive losses after conceding just five combined through their first three wins. San Jose will need to tighten up at it’s own end in front of Antti Niemi to avoid letting a three-game series lead evaporate, and will need to play with a greater sense of urgency after letting up somewhat over the past couple of games. Slowing down the line of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Tomas Holmstrom will be a key factor, while the Sharks’ powerplay will need to get going after being blanked the past two NHL games.
NHL Betting Preview: Detroit Red Wings
After struggling through the first three losses, that top line of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Holmstrom has really found its rhythm including a five-point night in their 4-3 game five win. The addition of Nicklas Kronwall at their own end has provided an immediate physical presence that has changed the complexion of the series the past couple of games, while goaltender Jimmy Howard continues to exceed pay per head expectations with his strong play. Howard has been the team’s best player for most of the series as Detroit has been outshot in three of the five games, including a 42-22 margin in game five.
NHL Betting: Matchup & Pick
The Sharks lead Detroit in scoring for the series 14-13 and two of their wins have been clinched in overtime, which is testament to just how close this series has been. Red Wings’ head coach Mike Babcock will have the final change again and after finding the right forward combinations in consecutive wins he will watch as his team books a game seven to decide the series back in San Jose.
Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Detroit Red Wings - 120
