Red Wings vs Sharks Series Odds and Predictions – 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals – Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks Series Odds, Predictions and Preview: Detroit and San Jose were staples near the top of the NHL’s Western Conference throughout the regular season. The Sharks ultimately got the better of the Red Wings by a point, finishing with 105 to Detroit’s 104. However, both teams landed top-three seeds in the postseason and are set for what could be a high-scoring, back-and-forth series in the second round.

The Red Wings wasted little time advancing to the conference semis. They dispatched the Phoenix Coyotes with a four-game sweep, scoring at least four goals in each game. The Sharks had a little more trouble in their series, needing six games to advance past the Los Angeles Kings. Goaltending was the biggest issue for the Sharks, and they surrendered 18 goals in the final five games of the series.

During the regular season, the strength of both teams was their offenses. Detroit finished second in the NHL in terms of goals scored with 261, and the Sharks weren’t far behind with 248. Neither team was dominant on the defensive end of the ice, but San Jose was better than the Red Wings. Detroit gave up 241 goals compared to 213 for the Sharks.

Both teams have plenty of star power as well. Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk are among the big weapons on offense Detroit brings to the table, and Henrik Zetterberg will provide an added boost as he returns from an ankle injury. The Sharks counter with potent scorer Patrick Marleau and one of the best setup men in the game in Joe Thorton.

Neither team can count on their goaltending to carry them. San Jose’s Antti Niemi finished the year with a respectable 2.38 goals against average, but he struggled in March at the end of the regular season and continued to have issues in the opening round. In fact, he was pulled twice against the Kings. Detroit counters with Jimmy Howard, who was far from impressive during the regular season, finishing with a 2.79 goals against average. That being said, he gave up three goals or less in all four games against Phoenix. If he can continue to do that, the Red Wings offense can do the rest.   

With all the weapons for both teams on offense and all the question marks in the net, goals should be plentiful in this series. The Red Wings were a little better on offense during the regular season, and they are certainly playing better than the Sharks entering this matchup. There is a reason that Detroit is perennial contender for the Stanley Cup, and the Sharks are famous for collapsing in the postseason. Given all the playoff experience up and down the Detroit roster, San Jose is going to have trouble keeping up in a best-of-seven series.

Prediction: Detroit Red Wings Win in 6 Games

2011 NHL Playoffs – Series Prices from SBG Global Sportsbook
San Jose Sharks vs Detroit Red Wings
San Jose Sharks -105
Detroit Red Wings -115

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