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2016 NHL Futures – Series Picks
Looking for Sharks vs. Penguins free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NHL Futures.The Stanley Cup Finals are set. The Penguins and Sharks will represent their respective conferences as they battle for a shot at hoisting the trophy. Cappers Picks covers all 2016 NHL Playoff series – so check back as we’ll be adding more.
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NHL Betting – San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Finals Series Preview and Picks
Things haven’t been easy this postseason for either of these teams.
The road involved many road steals and clutch goals late.
Still, the road ends here for the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins needed 7 games to take down the Lightning while the Sharks used 6 games to take down the Blues.
Both teams are built with savvy veterans and star players who can put a game on their back and change the whole complexion of the series.
Who’s got the edge? Let’s break it down.
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues Series Lines
- San Jose Sharks +120
- Pittsburgh Penguins -140
San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Series Schedule
- MON MAY 30, 2016 8:00 PM CBC, NBC, TVAS
- WED JUN 1, 2016 8:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- SAT JUN 4, 2016 8:00 PM CBC, TVAS
- MON JUN 6, 2016 8:00 PM CBC, TVAS
- THU JUN 9, 2016 8:00 PM CBC, NBC, TVAS
- SUN JUN 12, 2016 8:00 PM CBC, NBC, TVAS
- WED JUN 15, 2016 8:00 PM CBC, NBC, TVAS
San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Series Forwards
While Sydney Crosby usually gets all the attention for the Pittsburgh forwards, it hasn’t been him who has been the difference this postseason.
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Phil Kessel, who was acquired from Toronto, has been about as clutch as possible during these playoffs. Kessel sits with 18 points as he has tallied 9 goals and 9 assists in the process.
Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino are his linemates and have been stellar too. Bonino has 12 assists while Hagelin has 5 goals and 7 assists. This line has been a giant threat all postseason long and will be a major key here in this series.
The Sharks offense has used the scoring in bunches strategy this postseason and it’s worked out tremendously. They have been able to steal momentum with quick strikes and multiple goals in a short time frame.
Joe Pavelski has been the biggest factor in that. This postseason, he has tallied 13 goals. 4 of those goals have been game winners.
Logan Couture has racked up 24 points total this postseason and he’s been the set up guy for the Sharks. He’s put up 16 assists.
Verdict: Both of these teams have so many weapons. They key here will be the secondary lines. The stars like Pavelski and Crosby will come out and perform, but it’s the lower lines who need to step up.
The edge goes to the Penguins here. They are a little bit deeper with their depth.
San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Series Defense and Goaltending
The Pens defense is headlined by Kris Letang.
Averaging nearly 29 minutes of ice time per game this postseason, while tallying 2 goals and 8 assists in the process. Letang is one of the best two way players in the league and has came up clutch on both ends of the ice many times this postseason.
Pittsburgh’s goalie situation has been interesting. The 21 year old Matt Murray has been dominant, going 11-4 and stealing the show from the regular season starter Marc-Andre Fleury. Murray has just a 2.21 GAA this postseason and while he was benched one time, he has been given the nod after his stellar performance against Tampa Bay in Games 6 and 7.
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The Sharks Ben Burns is a mirror image of Kris Letang. The Sharks defenseman has 20 points with 6 goals and 14 assists. Burns is logging the minutes too, sitting with 25 minutes of ice time per game.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic is going to be a huge key in this series. He’s been lockdown defensively, blocking shots and turning turnovers into counter attacks. He’s everywhere inside the blue line and has shown the ability to shut down the opposing team’s star players.
In net, Martin Jones has been magnificent. Jones has came up clutch all postseason long and has especially been good down the stretch of games. Jones will be facing a team that loves to pepper the goal, so holding the Penguins to just one shot and not allowing rebounds will be crucial here.
Verdict: With so many two way threats on both teams, this is almost an even battle on the defensive end. Burns may be a little more of a threat than Letang, but both teams are very deep which will force a lot of different players to step up.
The goalie competition is equally the same. Murray and Jones are playing with confidence right now, nothing will be easy for the offenses.
Sharks vs. Penguins Free Series Predictions:
This series is going to be a fun one.
These are two teams who have so many similarities that they will certainly be momentum switches every minute.
Edge wise, the Penguins get it because of the experience factor. Pittsburgh has gotten extremely hot and thanks to their 21 year old netminder, it’s their cup to lose right now.
Pittsburgh Penguins in 6
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