Sharks vs. Golden Knights: Game 5 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
As back-and-forth as the Western Conference semifinal series between the Golden Knights and Sharks has been, it sure feels like this will go seven games with it currently knotted 2-2. Game 5 of this NHL matchup is Friday night in Las Vegas.
Sharks vs. Golden Knights Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
Despite being an expansion team, Vegas already has one of the best home-ice advantages in the NHL because their fans go nuts for the only professional team in town (NFL’s Raiders arrive in a few years). Think of how crazy it will be Friday in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend and the night before the Kentucky Derby. A win here guarantees the Knights a minimum of one more home game, either Game 7 of this series against the Sharks or two at least in the Western Conference Finals vs. the Predators/Jets winner.
The teams have alternated victories in this series following San Jose’s 4-0 win Wednesday that assured the Sharks of a Game 6 back home. That was also easily the lowest-scoring game of this series – the only one to go under the total – and the first time Vegas has been shut out in franchise playoff history (OK, only eight games).
On the updated Sports Interaction series line, Vegas is -147 and San Jose +125. The favoured exact series result is Knights in seven at +200. The long shot at +300 is Sharks in seven. At +275, Vegas is no longer the West favourite. San Jose is +350 for the conference title.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose was one of the best defensive teams in the NHL this season in terms of goals allowed and on the penalty kill and both were on display in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory. Martin Jones was the game’s No. 1 star with 34 saves. It was his second shutout of the 2018 playoffs and the sixth of his postseason career. The Sharks also killed off all five Vegas power plays, while scoring with the man advantage once themselves. Marcus Sorensen (fourth of playoffs), Joonas Donskoi (second), Tomas Hertl (fifth) and Joe Pavelski (second) all scored. Logan Couture and defenceman Brenden Dillon each had two assists. Donskoi was back in the lineup after missing Game 3 with a lower-body injury. The Sharks might – might – get back centre Joe Thornton for Game 5. He has been out since Jan. 23 with a knee injury but is close.
Vegas Golden Knights
Wednesday’s loss was only the fourth time this season that Vegas had been blanked and first time since Feb. 19, a 2-0 home defeat to Anaheim. The Knights were fifth in the NHL in scoring during the season and 10th on the power play but came up short on five tries in Game 4. Marc-Andre Fleury allowed four goals on 34 shots. He was spectacular in Round 1 vs. the Kings and in Game 1 of his series but has now surrendered at least three goals in three straight games. Cause for concern? Vegas is 5-2 in its past seven games following a loss of at least three goals. They last time were beaten that soundly was 7-1 in a meaningless regular-season finale in Calgary and then won Game 1 vs. the Kings.
