Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/16/2014
Thursday, April 17, 10:30 PM on NBCS, CBC
SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
The San Jose Sharks come into their series against the Los Angeles Kings as the higher seed from the Pacific Division, but most people are expecting another classic series like the one they had in the second round in last year's playoffs. The Sharks finished this season with 111 points and are the No. 2 seed, while the Kings are the No. 3 seed after finishing up with 100 points.
The Kings will have plenty of confidence going into this series because they were able to win three of the five regular season meetings. San Jose won the most recent game between these two teams, though, when they pulled off the 2-1 victory on home ice earlier this month.
The Kings only allowed 2 goals per game this season, which was the best in the NHL. However, their 2.4 goals per game was the 26th worst mark in the league.
The Sharks' overall team stats during the regular season were as good as any other team in the NHL. They had the sixth-best scoring team, the fifth best goals against numbers and the sixth-best penalty kill in the league.
Los Angeles' All-Star defenseman Drew Doughty has been dealing with an injured shoulder, so it will be interesting to see if he can play at his usual top level in this series. The Sharks' Joe Pavelski is known for being a big-game player, so he is certainly the player to look out for from San Jose in this series.
ATS Trends
Los Angeles is 23-18 straight up on the road this season
Los Angeles is 9-18-14 against the over/under on the road this season
San Jose is 29-12 straight up at home this season
San Jose is 15-23-3 against the over/under at home this season
Injuries to Watch
Los Angeles
04/14/14 D Drew Doughty Shoulder probable Thursday vs. San Jose
San Jose
04/15/14 D Scott Hannan Upper Body is upgraded to probable Thursday vs. Los Angeles
03/26/14 RW Adam Burish Hand out indefinitely
03/22/14 LW Raffi Torres Knee out indefinitely
Guy's Pick: Take San Jose
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