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Jeremy Perry
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks: Game 1 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
What makes matters interesting is that with Anaheim’s win on Saturday and San Jose’s loss, the two teams flipped and now the Ducks have home-ice advantage in this series. Beyond that, the two teams enter the playoffs at opposite ends of the momentum spectrum, so we’ll have to see if that carries over into the second season.
Sharks vs Ducks Betting Analysis
Both teams play well on rest as the Sharks are 5-3 on three or more days rest while the Ducks are 6-2. Anaheim is 24-10 in their 34 home games this season when the total was 5.5 while the Sharks were 18-21 on the road with that same number.
The difference could be in the records against winning teams. The Ducks are 14-8 in their last 22 against teams above .500 while the Sharks are 8-14.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks played well against Anaheim this season, winning three of the four meetings. That’s a great sign. And while we don’t know exactly who’ll be in net for the Ducks, it probably doesn’t matter to San Jose too much as they beat both goaltenders this season.
The Sharks did struggle down the stretch of the season but many people forget that right before losing five of six, they had won eight straight games. While this team can be streaky, that eight-game winning streak – where they averaged 4.8 goals per game and allowed just 2.5 – showed that they can play with anyone.
This is an NHL matchup of two even teams with little between them. The Sharks are 31-29 in their last 60 visits to the Duck Pond. Do you really want to lay -150 with the Ducks knowing that history?
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks have hit the playoffs on a roll, which is good news after they’ve been struggling for momentum all season long. The Ducks have won nine of their last 11 games and might be playing their best hockey of the season right now. On a greater scale, they are 30-12-5 over their last 47 games. While few people are paying attention to them, that record fleshed out over the course of a regular season would have been good enough for the No. 3 seed in the West.
The main issue for the Ducks is that they’ve been banged up all year long. They are still as lead goaltender John Gibson is dealing with an upper-body injury. However, he could be ready for Game 1 and as a team, they’re about in as good of shape as they’ve been in a long time.
As for the Sharks, they lost five of six to end the year and appear to be fading. They should be concerned about goaltender Martin Jones, who has allowed three goals or more in eight of his last 12 starts. Unless he’s better, the Sharks won’t last long.
