Later on tonight the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks will get together for Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals. If the Red Wings are able to win a fourth straight elimination game, they will be just the fourth team in NHL history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. The game will be televised on Versus beginning at 9 p.m. EST. Free picks and betting news on the game. . .
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings obviously have a history of playing in big games during the postseason. Sure, they haven't won a Cup since 2008, but many of the current players were in that series and know how to win. They have four Stanley Cup titles since 1997, easily the most in that time period. Red Wings players know when and how to show up in games like this. If Sharks goalie Antti Niemi isn't keeping his team in Game 6, Detroit easily wins. Detroit put 32 shots on goal the first two periods and had five or six quality scoring chances. In the third, Detroit took advantage when they were down, never panicking and ultimately pulling away. Expect Mike Babcock's team to show up tonight.
San Jose Sharks (-125, O/U 5.5)
After blowing a 3-0 lead, you better believe San Jose is feeling the heat. San Jose had two chances to close the series out in Motown. The last thing this group of guys wanted to do was have to fly back across the country to face Detroit in a Game 7 situation when they have a history of choking. While the Shark Tank might be fired up and rowdy tonight, best believe that place is paranoid. Captain Joe Thornton is doing his best to circle the wagons and keep his team together. When asked about if his team was nervous heading into Game 7 he said "Just ask Detroit. They lost three in a row and their confidence wasn't frayed." Not exactly, Joe. Detroit had no pressure on them because they weren't supposed to win. San Jose, on the other hand, had thee straight opportunities to close this thing out and they didn't. If San Jose doesn't win tonight, it will be the biggest choke in their storied history of coming up short.
Sharks injury: Ryan Clowe (Undisclosed) has not been cleared yet (updates at Pregamewire.com).
Predicted score — Detroit Red Wings 3, San Jose Sharks 2
What are your thoughts on the game?