Avalanche vs. Sharks Prediction
The San Jose Sharks protected their home ice with a win in the Western Conference semifinals opener versus the Colorado Avalanche. Can San Jose do the same tonight with another victory in Game 2?
Game Snapshot
53 Colorado Avalanche at 54 San Jose Sharks
Sunday, April 28, 2019
SAP Center at 7:38PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Sharks are a -133 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Avalanche are a +113 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Sunday afternoon, 50 percent of public bets are being placed on both visiting Colorado and host San Jose. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
Avs unable to hang in Game 1
Colorado lost 5-2 Friday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at San Jose. The Avalanche struck first 2:10 into the first period on a Gabriel Bourque goal assisted by Cale Makar and Tyson Jost. The Sharks evened it up later in the first, but with 16:04 remaining in the second period Colorado grabbed the lead back on a Colin Wilson power play goal off assists from Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon. San Jose scored three times the rest of the second to take control, while adding an empty-net goal in the final minute to clinch it. Philipp Grubauer surrendered four goals on 26 shots in the defeat.
Sharks roll in series opener
San Jose was without forward Joe Pavelski in Game 1 after his head injury the previous game, but still cruised to a 5-2 victory Friday night at home over Colorado. The Sharks fell behind by a goal in the first period, but evened it at 1-1 at the 5:16 mark on a Gustav Nyquist goal with assists courtesy of Brent Burns and Logan Couture. The Avs retook the lead in the second period before San Jose tied it again midway through the second on a Joe Thornton goal off a Marcus Sorensen assist. Kevin Labanc gave the Sharks their first lead six minutes later with an assist going to Burns. With one minute left in the second, Burns made it 4-2 on a goal assisted by Sorensen and Thornton. Timo Meier added an empty-net goal with 29 seconds remaining off a Burns assist. Martin Jones made 26 saves on 28 shots in the winning effort.
NHL Betting Trends
Colorado
The Avalanche are 4-1 in their last five games as an underdog. Colorado is 36-77 in its last 113 road games.
San Jose
The Sharks are 6-1 in their last seven games as a home favorite. San Jose is 23-3 in its last 26 home meetings versus Colorado.
Prediction:
San Jose is the better team here, strong at home and have dominated Colorado at the SAP Center. I don’t see much changing here. This could end up being one of those one-sided series’ where its the favorite that actually proves to be as good in a small sample size as their regular season showed in a much larger one. Jones has his confidence back and the Sharks have plenty of playmakers up front. Go with the favorites tonight.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: SAN JOSE SHARKS -133