Winning the first game of any playoff series, especially in the Finals, is important, but it doesn’t always mean much in the grand scheme of things. The Pittsburgh Penguins got their Stanley Cup Final off to the best possible start with a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks in Game 1. That’s all well and good, but they also know that if the Lightning can come out and win Game 2, they will steal home ice advantage as they head back to San Jose for the next 2 games of the series. The Sharks will have arrived in Pittsburgh with the hopes of coming away with the split, so they will still have the opportunity to accomplish that mission on Wednesday night. Given how the opening game of the Final went, this looks as though it’s going to be a close series, so be sure to keep an eye on the live NHL odds, as they may change as this one goes along.

How To Bet The Sharks vs Penguins Stanley Cup Game 2 Odds, Pick & Game Info

When: Wednesday, June 1 at 8 PM EST Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh TV: NBCSN Radio: Sharks and Penguins Live Stream: NBCSN NHL Odds: Penguins -145

Why bet on the San Jose Sharks

The Sharks may a game down in the final, but you can bet that they won’t be sweating it. They lost the first game versus the Blues in the Western Conference Final, and they have gone 5-1 after taking a defeat during this playoff run. They also showed some real grit and determination in the opening game of this series after coming back to tie things up after going 2-0 down. What they cannot do is get in the habit of going behind in games to this Penguins team, as you cannot always count on the big comeback night in and night out, especially against a team that can score for fun. The good news for the Sharks is that they won the special teams battle in Game 1, and continuing that trend will give them a chance to win.

Why bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins

While the Penguins will be pleased with the Game 1 win, they have to be a little concerned about not being able to put the Sharks away when up by a pair of goals. They certainly created enough chances, firing 41 shots on goal, and they will continue to have success as long as they can maintain that high level of offensive intensity. The power play has helped carry the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final this season, and the fact that they went 0-3 is not a real cause for concern right now. Pittsburgh also showed some real determination, as it would have been easy to panic after giving up the 2-goal lead, but a late Nick Bonino goal ensured a winning start to the Final.

My Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Things could get very interesting if the Sharks can win Game 2 of the series, but I like the Penguins to come out and grab the 2-0 lead. I will also be looking at the OVER for this one when I hit my online betting account.San Jose Sharks 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 4