One of the great rivalries in hockey gets another game tonight when the San Jose Sharks take on the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL Playoffs. The game is scheduled for a 10:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on the NBC Sports Network. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Kings favored to pick up the win in this one.
NHL Playoff Odds
Kings -145, Sharks +129
San Jose was able to steal one in the opening game of this series, now all the pressure in the world is on the LA Kings. A loss here by Los Angeles would be catastrophic to their chances of winning the series and making a run toward the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Sharks have to be feeling great about just splitting in this series, even if they do lose tonight. Picking up a win on the road in the opening two games of a playoff series has its advantages, and it has somehow worked out perfectly for them in this series. Then again, San Jose was one of the best road teams in the league this season, going 28-10-3 away from home.
In fact, the Sharks became the first team in 17 seasons to finish under the .500 mark during the regular season at home, but still qualify for the playoffs. The Sharks could win here and go up 2-0 in the series, but with their struggles at home, who knows what could happen in the series.
Los Angeles is looking to win to leave home with a split. They were strong inside Staples Center this season and need to find a way to pick up the win here. It’s worth noting the Kings trailed 3-0 to San Jose in the 2014 NHL Playoffs, but they were able to come back and win in seven games.
Those were the last games played by San Jose in the post season, having missed last year.
Los Angeles gets the job done here as they press enough, but not too much, in order to pick up the win at home.
Free Pick: Los Angeles
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