Kings vs Sharks NHL Spread/Handicapping
The San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings get back at it Tuesday night after a thrilling Game 3 at the Shark Tank saw the home team win yet again in the series. The home teams have won all three games so far this series and both teams are undefeated at home in the postseason this year.
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Los Angeles Kings (33-17-3-4) at San Jose Sharks (90-18-3-4)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Where: HP Pavillion at San Jose, San Jose, California
Broadcast: RDS, TSN, NBCSN
Kings lead series 2-1
Kings vs. Sharks Betting Lines from Sportsbook.ag
Los Angeles Kings +1½ -290 +119 Ov 4½ -135
San Jose Sharks -1½ +245 -131 Un 4½ +123
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Sharks Look to Hold Serve and Even Series Against Defending Champs
The Sharks have been dominant all season on home ice, going 17-2-5 in the regular season that included two wins over Los Angeles. Penalties at key stages have been the difference in the last two games – discipline looks like it will be key Tuesday night.
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The Los Angeles Kings came close to breaking the “home team streak” in Game 3 but penalties – one at the end of regulation and one in overtime were directly responsible for the Sharks gaining momentum and scoring the winner. Los Angeles did some good things in Game 3 but discipline at precisely the wrong moments was the difference.
The Kings only got one past Antti Niemi in Game 3 after scoring six in the first two games of the series. They generated an OK 27 shots but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow even when Sharks forwards Logan Couture and Martin Havlat were in the dressing room receiving treatment for various ailments.
But we know that this team doesn’t need a whole lot of scoring to succeed – Jonathan Quick can lead them to victory all by himself. Quick has stopped 101 of 106 shots in this series including 38 in Game 3 for the Kings, a .953 save percentage so far in the three games. He has a 1.49 goals against average in his last four games and is officially looking like that keeper that led the Kings to the Cup last year. [ad-4437448]
The San Jose Sharks continue to be a force on home ice. They have lost just twice in regulation all year long – unbelievable! The biggest reason for the home success has been a potent power play that has been far more efficient at the Shark Tank than on the road. San Jose has scored on an NHL-best 28.4 percent of power plays at home during the regular and postseason compared to just 13.6 percent on the road. In the playoffs the Sharks are 8-for-20 on the power play at home including two goals in Game 3 and just 1-for-16 on the road, including 0-for-7 the first two games in Los Angeles. San Jose is home again Tuesday night where they have looked like world beaters all year long.
Antti Niemi was typically solid in Game 3 – nothing less should be expected on Tuesday night. He is 5-2-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .926 save percentage in his last seven games. Los Angeles will bring it in Game 4 and there is nobody the Sharks would rather have between the pipes that Mr. Niemi.
Betting Prediction
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A few trends to consider:
• LA are 1-9 in their last 10 road games.
• Under is 8-2-2 in LA last 12 overall.
• Under is 5-1-3 in SJ last 9 vs. Pacific.
• Over is 5-1-2 in SJ last 8 home games.
• Under is 5-2-3 in SJ last 10 Tue. games.
• Home team is 12-1 in the last 13 meetings.
• LA are 10-26 in the last 36 meetings in San Jose.
The San Jose Sharks outplayed the Los Angeles Kings in Game 3 and maybe should have deserved a better fate than they received in Game 1 and 2. Truth be told, they have been the better of the two teams in the series so far by a slight margin. Jonathan Quick has been the difference maker for the Kings.
Expect Quick to be spectacular again but for his offense to let him down Tuesday and for the Sharks to eke out another close, low scoring win. How can you bet against a team that has lost twice in regulation all year? I know I can’t!
Pick: San Jose Sharks -131
