After plenty NHL betting experts claimed that the series was done, The San Jose Sharks exploded last night to get a vital win out of Pittsburgh and to prevent the Penguins from hoisting the Stanley Cup. After a particularly impressive performance by Martin Jones, the Sharks came out early and had this game 3-2 in just the first period. This really shakes things up for the remainder of the series as it now moves back to San Jose, where the Sharks will try to force a game 7. For the Penguins, after not being able to get it done at home, this game 6 will be a real challenge.
Penguins +1½ (-290) 5 (-125) EV
Sharks -1½ (+245) 5 (+105) -120
The NHL betting line opened up with the Sharks as favorites, especially after such an impressive performance on game 5. After having a relatively close series, both teams attacking lines were not producing as much as expected. I game 5 they had already matched the total by the first period and covered on the third. This definitively might not have taken every body by surprise as both teams were good offensively and many were expecting when it was going to be for them to finally break out scoring. Although many though it would be the Penguins.
The Sharks deserve all the praise they are getting today after such victory, and Martin Jones in particular put on an incredible performance that was a complete game changer. He had a total of 44 saves and he kept the Sharks in the lead all throughout the game. If you bet on hockey, this is the performance that you want your team to have: a brick wall on defense and precision on offense.
With the game moving to San Jose, the penguins are now poised with the task of stopping the Sharks from gaining more momentum. The crown will be loud and the Sharks will be persistent in their quest to take the lead early. The Penguins are still just one win away from the Stanley Cup and taking it at San Jose. Yet it becomes extra difficult if the Sharks momentum continues to rise. Yet, it might not be wise to bet against the Penguins on this game. There is a stat that you must keep in mind. In game 5 the Sharks shot 46 times, and the game truly was won by the Sharks thank to a miraculous performance by Jones. The Sharks shot only 22. Granted Murray could have done a much better job, but the Penguins were on top of San Jose the entire game. This game could have gone to overtime.
NHL betting experts consider that this coming game will be won by the Sharks, should they keep up with the pace they had last night. However, the Penguins are on this Stanley Cup Finals because they know how to win under pressure and how to get wins on the road. Just one more and they will be champions. This is their year. Game 6 will finish 3-2 in favor of the new champs Penguins.
