With the second round of the road to the Stanley Cup now traveled, the predicting part of this sport is not getting any easier. We usually expect to see one dark horse team come out of nowhere to make a run, but it could well be suggested that all the teams still in this thing fit that bill to a T. The Carolina Hurricanes are probably the biggest story of all, beating the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals and now 3-0 up on the Islanders in their second-round series.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are also a great story, sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning and playing the sort of defense that usually wins championships. The Colorado Avalanche were one of the big stories in the West after ousting the #1 seeded Calgary Flames in Round 1. Things are not going quite as well in this series, though, as they come into Game 4 versus the San Jose Sharks in a 1-2 series hole. They are in must-win territory and are favored by 1 ½ in this one, with the O/U set at 6.
How to Bet Sharks vs Avalanche 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Spread & Game 4 Prediction
The 🔢 ahead of Game 4.
🗒: https://t.co/PwHPOBSrEl pic.twitter.com/zHPGkCMBSA — x – San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) 2 de mayo de 2019
- When: Thursday, May 2 at 10 PM EST
- Where: Pepsi Center, Denver
- TV: NBCSN
- Radio: Altitude Sports
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- 2019 NHL Playoffs Spread: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (Total 6)
Bruins vs Blue Jackets 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Pick for Game 4
Why bet on the San Jose Sharks?
Compared to their opening round series versus the Vegas Golden Knights, the San Jose Sharks are in a very sweet position. In the first round, they found themselves in a 1-3 hole after Game 4, but they rallied to win the series in 7 games, including an unbelievable comeback in Game 7, which included a win in OT. There were some who believed that the Sharks suddenly looked like a team of destiny, but after losing 4-3 in Game 2 of this series, it became clear that moving on was not going to be easy.
San Jose did steal back home ice advantage with a 4-2 win in Game 3 on the road, and they can put the Avalanche on the brink of elimination with a win in this one. San Jose have now won 5 of their last 6 meetings with the Avs, so it is perhaps a little surprising to see them in as the dog for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.52
- Shots: 32.96
- PP/PK Percentage: 23.40
Defense
- Goals: 3.20
- Shots: 28.85
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.85
Why bet on the Colorado Avalanche?
The Avalanche created the perfect blueprint for success in their opening round series with the #1 seeded Calgary Flames. They went into Calgary for the opening two games and got the steal that gave them the home-ice advantage. The Avalanche then held serve in their own building before going back to Calgary and taking out the team that they had put in the 3-1 hole.
They looked set to deliver more of the same here, but a 4-2 loss on home ice, their first in the playoffs, now has them in a must-win situation. The Avalanche have won 8 of their last 9 games at home, so if they are going to win anywhere, it will be in Denver.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.17
- Shots: 32.97
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.56
Defense
- Goals: 2.99
- Shots: 31.92
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.12
Sharks vs Avalanche 2019 NHL Playoffs Betting Trends
- Sharks are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games against Colorado
- Sharks are 8-3 ATS versus Colorado over the last 3 seasons
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose’s last 6 games on the road
- Avalanche are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Colorado’s last 7 games against San Jose
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
This is probably the first time that the Avalanche have experienced any real pressure this postseason, as their role of the underdog removed a lot of that pressure. I think they might just struggle to react to it, which is why I have them losing Game 4 in a close one.
Score: San Jose Sharks 3 – Colorado Avalanche 2
