Posting This Late….SORRY
Blackhawks vs. Sharks Game 1
Team Records:
Chicago: 52-22-8
San Jose: 51-20-11
Sportsbook Odds:
Blackhawks: +105 +1.5 (-280) Over 5.5 (-130)
Sharks: -125 -1.5 (+230) Under 5.5 (+110)
The Western Conference final kicks off on Sunday afternoon and unlike the Eastern Conference final, it features the top two teams. Chicago, fresh off their impressive series win over the tough Vancouver Canucks visit the San Jose Sharks who are fresh off their dismantling of the two-time defending Western Conference champions, the Detroit Red Wings.
The Chicago Blackhawks packed their bags before travelling to Vancouver for Game 6 of that series in anticipation of this matchup. Game 1 on the road could be a blessing for the Hawks who have gone an impressive 5-1 on the road in the playoffs and scored 22 goals in their last four games away from home.
The Chicago offense is peaking with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, and the supporting cast of Marion Hossa, Kris Versteeg, Dave Bolland and monster Dustin Byfuglien all having their moments in the last series against Vancouver. The Hawks attack is relentless and Game 1 will set the stage for the Hawks offense vs. Sharks defense matchup.
Game 1 will be important for the Hawks’ defense. Who will Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith play against? Common sense says that the big line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley will draw the big two, but there is always a possibility that the line of Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi and Ryan Clowe will be forced to deal with Seabrook and Keith. The second defense pairing of Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson could very well be the X-factor in Game 1. If they can play sound defense, the Hawks will have a good chance of winning.
Antti Niemi has posted a respectable 2.57 goals against average in the playoffs and has a .909 save percentage. His play is reason for optimism going into Game 1.
The San Jose totally dominated the Detroit Red Wings and earned some rest in the process. Rust could be a bit of a factor in Game 1 but it is more likely that the Sharks will be primed for Game 1. The Sharks are as big, as deep, as quick, as skilled and as motivated as any team left in the playoffs, so rust will not be a factor. They are 7-1 since Dan Boyle’s own goal against the Colorado Avalanche and they are 4-0 at home in their last four games.
The San Jose Sharks boast two equally effective forward lines. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley can beat you and Joe Pavelski, Ryan Clowe and Devin Setoguchi have proven to be lethal in their own right. The size, speed and skill are a nightmare for any team to handle but if there is a team equipped to deal with these factors, it’s Chicago.
The San Jose defense is not particularly quick, skilled or deep but they have proven to be a cohesive unit. How they are able to handle the relentless Chicago forwards will be established early in Game 1 and could set the tone for the rest of the series.
Evgeni Nabokov’s playoff numbers are almost exactly the same as Niemi’s. Naby will be as motivated as any player in Game 1. It is time to shake his reputation as a weak Big Game goaltender.
The Chicago Blackhawks have played some good teams in this year’s playoffs but they have not faced a team with the pace and physical presence of the San Jose Sharks. Detroit had a miserable time in Game 1 of their series with San Jose, adjusting to the Sharks’ style. It will take the Hawks a game to adjust to the speed and size of the Sharks.
Pick: San Jose Sharks
