Red Wings at Sharks Game 1 Odds and Predictions – Free NHL Picks 4-29-11

Free NHL Playoffs Picks and Odds – Game 1 Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 4/29/11: The Detroit Red Wings have had some time to rest, heel, and reflect, but most importantly they have been afforded the time to examine the San Jose Sharks game. The Red Wings disposed of the lowly Phoenix Coyotes quite easily in four straight games, a series that showed how good this team becomes once postseason competition comes into effect. They flexed their muscle in not giving the Coyotes room to maneuver and operate, they also were the most productive club in terms of power play production. Johan Franzen led the club with two power play notches and an assist, the Swedish stout has come to be known for his game excel in the playoffs and he will be a force to reckoned with in the second round. Pavel Datsyuk led the club as a whole in production, he finished with 6 points in 4 games and had a ridiculous +6 rating in the series sweep. For such a dynamic player he had a rather average postseason, but the speedy winger is peaking just at the right moment and the Sharks will have fits trying to contain him. The Red Wings have a rich history with the San Jose Sharks, a positive one at that. The Red Wings have never lost a playoff series to the Sharks, but they will be entering this series with San Jose without home ice advantage. If you ask any player of the Wings they would say it is no big deal. The Red Wings are an excellent road hockey club and they have great coaching to put them in the most ideal spots while on the road.

The Sharks have come a long way this season and now will enter into a mega series with the Detroit Red Wings tonight at the Shark Tank. San Jose sat out of the playoff picture at the all-star break and their hopes of making a push towards postseason competition definitely hung in the balance. They were not the Sharks club seasons past at the all-star break, they got away from their formidable fore-checking pressure and systematic transition offense game. They were one dimensional in that they relied heavily on their offense and little on the back end, the offense needed the all-star break just to catch their breath. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau led an assault on the entire second half of their schedule and they were without a doubt the most dynamic combination in the league for those three and a half months. They propelled the Sharks into the second seed in the western conference ranks, a complete after thought at the mid-point of the season. The rest of the hockey club also increased their production, which took some of the pressure off of the normal, everyday contributors.

The complimentary selection tonight lies with the OVER(Check the latest NHL Odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) . Both of these clubs have lethal scoring weapons that are threats to score each time they take the ice. Both clubs are in the upper echelon in playoff scoring thus far, the Detroit Red Wings have only four games under their belt. The Sharks are always scoring machines at home as they have the league’s best scoring percentage at HP Pavillion Arena. The total has gone OVER in 11 of San Jose’s last 16 games and has gone OVER in 8 of San Jose’s last 11 games when playing at home against Detroit. Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi has been questionable, at best, and I expect the Red Wings to have their opportunities against a vulnerable Sharks goaltender. The Red Wings game hinges on loose rebounds and great position around the net, Niemi has been having issues controlling his rebounds all playoffs long so the Red Wings will have their shots. The Sharks know that this is the year to win as most of their long standing stars are not under wraps for the 2012 season, so the Red Wings are the most daunting challenge for them on the way to the cup. I expect this series to be up and down and fast paced, the opportunity for goals is significant. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games on the road and has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit’s last 9 games when playing San Jose. We will consider these two exceptional hockey clubs providing for an entertaining series, expect the OVER to hit tonight. Cheers!

Free Pick: OVER 5.5
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