Ducks vs. Sharks Prediction
The San Jose Sharks were the underdog coming into their series with the Anaheim Ducks, but have instead racked up three straight victories. Will San Jose manage to close out the series with a sweep at home in Game 4 tonight?
Game Snapshot
63 Anaheim Ducks at 64 San Jose Sharks
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
SAP Center at 10:30PM ET
TV: Golf Channel
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Sharks are a -175 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Ducks are a +155 underdog, while the total is set at 5 goals. As of Wednesday afternoon, 64 percent of public bets have been placed on host San Jose. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Second period barrage lifts Sharks to easy win
Game 3 was an opportunity for Anaheim to get back in the series at an arena it had some recent success in, but instead it was San Jose that dominated from the second period on. The Ducks evened the score at 1-1 in the first period, but the Sharks scored seven unanswered the rest of the way including four in the second period to grab a commanding lead. The most impressive part is that eight different San Jose players scored a goal. Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi paced the offense with a goal and two assists each. Evander Kane, Timo Meier, Joe Pavelski and Marcus Sorensen all had a goal and an assist. Eric Fehr and Tomas Hertl also recorded a goal. Martin Jones was tested early and often in goal for the Sharks despite the blowout and came up big with 45 saves on 46 shots.
Gibson gets pulled
Anaheim goalie John Gibson had a solid 2017-18 season with a 2.43 goals-against average and .926 save percentage, but he has had a rough series through three games. After allowing three goals in each of the first two games, he was lit up for five goals on 24 shots before getting yanked in the second period of Game 3. The Ducks will likely turn back to Gibson tonight since backup Ryan Miller gave up three goals on 12 shots and wasn’t any better. But if Gibson falters again, the hook could be quick.
NHL Betting Trends
Anaheim
The Ducks are 0-5 in the last five meetings. The road team is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
San Jose
The under is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings in San Jose. The Sharks are 5-0 in their last five games after scoring five or more goals in their previous game.
Prediction:
Part of me really wanted to pull the trigger on Anaheim since it is a good team and due for a win. But with the way the Ducks lost the last game in humiliating fashion and the fact that John Gibson is playing far from his best hockey, I have to take San Jose here. It is the safer pick, the Sharks are at home and the only team of the two currently playing strong hockey.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: SAN JOSE SHARKS -175