Golden Knights vs. Sharks Prediction
The Las Vegas Golden Knights can eliminate the San Jose Sharks from the postseason with a victory tonight in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Can Las Vegas record the win as the small underdogs?
Game Snapshot
57 Las Vegas Golden Knights at 58 San Jose Sharks
Thursday, April 18, 2019
SAP Center at 10:08PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Sharks are a -120 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Golden Knights are a +100 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Thursday afternoon, 72 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Las Vegas. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Golden Knights win in shutout fashion
Las Vegas cruised to a 5-0 shutout victory Tuesday night at home over San Jose to take a 3-1 series advantage. Max Pacioretty opened the scoring 1:11 into the first period on a goal assisted by Mark Stone. Shea Theodore made it 2-0 with 47 seconds remaining in the first with assists going to Reilly Smith and Pacioretty. Pacioretty scored his second goal of the game with 7:27 to go in the second period on the power play off assists by Stone and Theodore. With 13:23 to play in the third period, Alex Tuch added a goal to make it 4-0 on assists courtesy of Nate Schmidt and Pacioretty. Jonathan Marchessault completed the scoring later in the third with assists by Schmidt and Smith. Marc-Andre Fleury was impressive all contest and saved all 28 shots sent his way for the shutout.
Sharks unable to muster a goal
San Jose went meekly on the road in Game 4 as it lost 5-0 at Las Vegas to fall behind 3-1 in the Western Conference quarterfinals series. The Golden Knights scored twice in the first period, once in the second period and twice more in the third period to dominate the entire contest. Martin Jones started the contest, but was yanked after surrendering two goals on the first seven shot attempts. Aaron Dell minded the net the rest of the way and allowed three more goals on 20 shots. The Sharks registered 28 shots in the losing effort with Tomas Hertl leading the way with five shots.
NHL Betting Trends
Las Vegas
The Golden Knights are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings. The underdog is 1-4 in the last five meetings.
San Jose
The home team is 4-1 in the last five meetings. San Jose is 3-7 in its last 10 home games.
Prediction:
I thought long and hard about this game and was fully prepared to take the Sharks to stay alive as we clearly haven’t seen the best they have to offer, but ultimately I couldn’t pull the trigger. Las Vegas is the much hotter team and playing with some swagger, whereas San Jose has a very real goaltending problem with Jones announced as the starter again despite clearly having confidence issues. San Jose might be favored, but I see the Golden Knights as the right play to close this series out on the road.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: LAS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS +100