NHL: Fresh Start for Sharks Against Red Wings

While Detroit fell at the hands of San Jose last season, it will be the Sharks looking to start anew after struggling to put away the Kings in the opening round of the playoffs. Al Dannity breaks down their series and looks ahead to the two Eastern Conference Semi Finals games coming up this weekend.

Sharks can regain swagger
Things got a bit ropey out in San Jose. For the second year in a row, the Sharks made far tougher work of their first round opponent than they should have. Like 2010, the Sharks eventually righted the ship. It may have taken six games to dispose of the Kings but they don’t need to worry about that anymore. Instead the Sharks can look forward to another meeting with the Red Wings.

Detroit swept Phoenix in four games, giving them a week’s rest before taking on San Jose. I don’t expect rust to be a factor, instead I like the Red Wings to start with more energy than the hosts in the opening game. As the series goes on however the Sharks should steady themselves and do enough to progress. It might require at least one road win but San Jose should make it to the Western Conference Finals.

Caps getting hot
We’ve been here before. The Capitals did all that was asked of them in the first round, dispatching the Rangers in five games, to cruise into the conference semi finals. Nobody’s daring to mention a possible Cup run yet. Everyone’s wary because they are far from perfect. Yet here they are. The team with the best record in their conference and they are taking on an opponent inferior in talent and far more tired. This should be a no-brainer yet the doubts remain. Beating the Tampa Bay Lightning won’t resolve them. All of the Capitals know that until they lift the Stanley Cup, the doubters will still be there. I have just one question for NHL betting fans ahead of this series: Do you think Tampa Bay will win this series? If not then there’s only one decision you need to make.

Expect plenty of goals
Tim Thomas has developed a habit of giving opponents plenty of second-chance opportunities. Despite that gaping flaw at the wrong time of the year, nobody doubts that Boston hold a huge advantage in goaltending entering their series with the Flyers. Philadelphia’s goaltending situation is nothing short of disastrous. Gabriel Morency thinks they would be as well off with an ECHL goalie, that’s how bad things have got. Still, Philadelphia managed to overcome Buffalo despite the presence of Ryan Miller. We are looking at a potential seven game shootout for a shot at the Eastern Conference Finals. NHL fans can look forward to some pulsating action in this series.