NHL Playoff Betting Preview on San Jose vs Anaheim/Nashville

Last season was one that could best be labeled forgettable for the San Jose Sharks, as issues on and off the ice contributed to a lackluster performance that saw them miss the playoffs. There was a lot of talk about redemption and doing the right things heading into this season, and the Sharks backed up that chatter with a solid regular season. They were given a tough opening round draw, as they were matched against an LA Kings team that has won the Stanley Cup twice in recent years. The Sharks may have gone into that series as the underdog in the NHL betting odds, but they did not play that way, dumping the Kings in just 5 games. They are going to have another tough opponent, and potentially another Pacific Division foe, to face in the second round, as it looks as though they may be on a collision course with the Anaheim Ducks. After stumbling out of the gate, the Ducks have won 3 straight to take a 3-2 series lead over the Nashville Predators. You can bet on the outcome of that series, as well as the Round 2 match-up.

A In Depth Analysis on the NHL Playoff Betting Preview on San Jose vs Anaheim/Nashville

Five reasons the #SJSharks eliminated the Kings and advanced to the second round. https://t.co/x9grN5WU4R pic.twitter.com/apwpesvzgo

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 24, 2016

Why Bet on the Sharks to Win the Series?

There is no other way to describe it other than to say that the Sharks totally shelled the Kings in the opening round. We all knew that this was a team that could score goals, and they proved it by netting 16 of them during the 5 games of the opening round. The power play, which was top 5 in the regular season, was also solid, as 5 of those 16 goals came via the man advantage. If the Sharks are being honest, they would probably admit that they would rather NOT face the Ducks in round 2. Anaheim won 3 of 4 versus San Jose in the regular season, shutting them out in 2 of those games. That said, they also lost 2 of 3 to Nashville, so there is no easy road to the Western Conference Final for San Jose.

Will the Sharks face Anaheim or Nashville in Round 2?

It looked for a moment as though this series would be all Predators, as they marched into Anaheim and stole the first 2 games of the series. Even a split in their 2 home games would have left Nashville sitting pretty, but they lost both, and then went back to Anaheim where they were hammered in Game 5. That last game, which the Ducks won 5-2, felt like a real statement game for Anaheim, and you have to think that they are now going to wrap this series up in 6. If they can manage to do that, you know they will like their chances against a Sharks team that they owned in the regular season.

Expert Betting Pick and Series Prediction

No matter who the Sharks face in Round 2, I think they are in trouble. I do think they would have a shot against Nashville, and may edge it in 6 or 7, but if it’s Anaheim, I like the Ducks in 5.