Sharks at Red Wings Game 6 Odds and Predictions – Free NHL Picks 5-10-11

Free NHL Playoffs Picks and Odds – Game 6 San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 5/10/11: The San Jose Sharks have had no answer for the furry of offensive fortitude the Wings have exercised in the past couple of games and now their backs are up against the wall in game 6. Antti Niemi was rocked for three tallies in the third period of game 5, which propelled the Wings to the impractical win. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have seen a drop in their play, but it is not to say they are all to blame. The Wings have created a formidable shut down line in Miller, Franzen, and Draper that have blanked the talented offensive units for three period stints in the last two outings. No longer are these gems having their way in the Wings defensive end and flexing their muscle in the dirty areas of the ice. Penalties will have to be addressed for puck drop tonight in the motor city, the Sharks have been down a man for an entire period over the last two tilts. Penalties happen in NHL playoff hockey, but the Sharks are committing unnecessary infractions on a regular occurrence. The last thing San Jose wants is to return home with the series on the line, so I expect them to come out blazing tonight on road ice.

The Detroit Red Wings have reaped the benefits of coming out of the gates hot and will now entertain the possibility of pushing this series to a game 7 tilt, a far thought a week ago. Mike Babcock executed some brilliant line shuffling after game 3 and he now has produced three lines that are creating opportunities on any given shift. Putting Mike Modano down to the third line between young snipers in Cleary and Miller has been the most visual altercation yet. This line is excelling on both ends of the ice and the shiftiness of both young players is allowing Modano some options. Jimmy Howard has been making the big save finally, something he was not doing in the first three, and he is affording his defensemen the opportunity to be more offensive. Hendrick Zetterberg is without a doubt the catalyst that the Wings are riding in this series, his offensive fortitude and defensive prowess have been contagious for Detroit across the board.

The complimentary selection we will recommend tonight lies with the home team in the Detroit Red Wings. This series was destined for a game 7 from the get-go and I expect the series to be decided in the sunny state of California. The Red Wings were baffled by the Sharks stingy trap game and commitment to the cycle in the first three games, but have rebounded by exposing the Sharks back end. Countless times in games 4 and 5 the Red Wings caught Sharks defensemen either pinching or taking inadvertent shifts. San Jose’s defense is solid, but young, and the Wings have done an excellent job at rattling their confidence and making them think twice. Detroit has also amped up the fore check, which has created some opportunities when careless defensive passes have been intercepted in prime territory. Mike Babcock has done an excellent job at creating four lines that can all produce at any given time and that can line up well against the big Sharks line-up. The pairing of Drew Miller, Kris Draper, and Johan Franzen have done a superb job at shutting down the big Sharks unit of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Danny Heatley. Detroit boasts a powerful record at home against this Californian bunch, Detroit is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against San Jose. San Jose is 3-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit and is 8-16-1 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Detroit. Wings coach Mike Babcock is a great motivator and he will have his club ready to play tonight in front of the motor city faithful. We will consider the Red Wings pulling one step closer to executing the impossible, coming back from 3 down, by picking up a hard earned game 6 victory tonight. Cheers!

Free Pick: Detroit Red Wings -140(Moneyline)
Get expert NHL handicapping picks and predictions daily from World Champion Handicapper Sonny LaFouchi(aka The LEGEND) only on NSAwins.com