Golden Knights vs. Sharks: Game 4 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
There will be no sweeps in the conference semifinal round of the Stanley Cup playoffs as each team has at least one win in its series. Expansion Vegas looks to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Sharks in San Jose on Wednesday night.
Golden Knights vs Sharks Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
The expansion Vegas Golden Knights still have yet to lose a postseason road game in their history. They won both games in Los Angeles in the first round in sweeping out the Kings and took Game 3 over the Sharks in San Jose on Monday 4-3 in overtime to lead this series 2-1.
The Sharks were 25-13-3 at home during the regular season and 2-0 in the first round vs. Anaheim. They haven’t lost back-to-back home games since Jan. 25 vs. the New York Rangers and then, following a five-game road trip. Feb. 8 vs. these Golden Knights.
Vegas remains the +175 Sports Interaction favourite to win the West and has temporarily caught Nashville at +475 to win the Stanley Cup. The Sharks are +675 in the West and +1500 for the Cup. The total of Game 4 is 5.5, with the under a slight favourite even though seven goals have been scored in each game so far. San Jose is -135 to be the first team to score with Vegas -103.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Knights could be going for another sweep here had Jonathan Marchessault’s backhand goal past Sharks goalie Martin Jones late in the first overtime of Game 2 not been waived off due to a questionable goaltender interference call. In Monday’s Game 3, William Karlsson scored at 8:17 of overtime, his fourth goal of the playoffs, for the victory. Vegas had blown a 3-1 third-period lead. Marchessault added a goal and two assists, including on Karlsson’s winner. Vegas was 2-for-6 on the power play. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 39 of 42 shots and has a save percentage of .960 in this postseason. It was his 68th postseason win, tying Andy Moog for 10th place on the NHL all-time list. Next up is Jacques Plante with 71. Patrick Roy’s record of 151 is quite safe.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose’s Logan Couture had a great chance to win Game 3 it at 3:10 of overtime when he took a pass in the low slot from Joe Pavelski, but Fleury made a terrific glove save. Credit to the Sharks for rallying from 3-1 down in the third. Evander Kane, after missing Game 2 due to suspension, scored his fourth of the playoffs at 7:49 of the third and Tomas Hertl his fourth at 18:03. Jones made 29 saves. San Jose was too undisciplined in Game 3 in handing the Golden Knights those six power-play chances and allowing two goals with the man advantage. During the regular season, the Sharks were second in the NHL on the penalty kill (84.8 per cent) and were 10-for-12 (83.3 per cent) in the first-round sweep of the Ducks. San Jose played Game 3 without first-line forward Joonas Donskoi due to a lower-body injury suffered in Game 2. It’s not clear if he will return for Wednesday’s NHL matchup.
