Sharks vs. Ducks Prediction
The San Jose Sharks put in a dominant Game 1 performance as a road underdog Thursday night to take a 1-0 series lead over the Anaheim Ducks. Can San Jose make it two wins in a row tonight as the series continues?
Game Snapshot
63 San Jose Sharks at 64 Anaheim Ducks
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Honda Center at 10:30PM ET
TV: NBCSN
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Ducks are a -135 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Sharks are a +115 underdog, while the total is set at 5 goals. As of Saturday afternoon, 62 percent of public bets have sided with host Anaheim. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for all the latest info.
Kane outstanding in playoff debut
Evander Kane is stilly only 26 years old, but this is already his eighth NHL season dating back to his first two seasons as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers. But until Thursday night, he had never played in a playoff game. Coming over from Buffalo in a trade deadline acquisition, Kane made the post of his first playoff game as he scored two goals in the 3-0 victory. He was outstanding in 17 regular season games for San Jose with nine goals and five assists, so seeing him carry it over to the postseason is encouraging. After a scoreless first period, Kane scored the first two goals in the second to stake the Sharks to a 2-0 advantage. Brent Burns added a goal and San Jose rode a strong defensive effort from there.
Jones on top of his game
San Jose goalie Martin Jones turned away all 25 shots sent his way to help lead his squad to the 3-0 road win in Game 1. The Sharks of course can’t expect a shutout every game from Jones, but if he is locked in during this series the Ducks will continue to get more frustrated they can’t put anything past the netminder on a consistent basis. Jones went 30-22-6 this season in 60 games played. He posted a 2.55 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Jones will be the biggest factor as to whether San Jose can survive Anaheim and advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
NHL Betting Trends
San Jose
The over is 8-1 in the last nine San Jose games when its opponent scores two or less goals in the previous game. The road team is 4-0 in the last four meetings. The over is 5-1 in the last six Sharks games played on one day of rest.
Anaheim
The Ducks are 0-4 in their last four games against San Jose in Anaheim. The under is 6-1-3 in the last 10 meetings in Anaheim. The Ducks are 4-0 in their last four games after scoring two or less goals in their previous game.
Prediction:
I think I have to ride with the Sharks again. The Game 1 victory was decisive enough that it could show San Jose has Anaheim’s number this series. Jones was stellar, Kane showed himself as a top scoring option and the Sharks have been great in games at Anaheim lately. Also, if you bet on both the Maple Leafs and San Jose tonight as underdogs you’ll only need one to hit in order to end the night with plus money. And if both road teams wins, well then it would be a fantastic night.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: SAN JOSE SHARKS +115