The San Jose Sharks are almost in a must-win situation in Stanley Cup odds on Tuesday as they host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
They can’t expect to win this series if they head to Chicago down two games to none. That is why they have to win Tuesday’s Stanley Cup betting matchup against the Blackhawks.
Stanley Cup odds list the Sharks as -140 favorites to win Game 2. If they don’t find a way to beat Chicago goaltender Antti Niemi they may end up losing again. They threw 45 shots at the Chicago goaltender in Game 1 and still lost. “We had our chances to score, there were a lot of pucks lying on the ground, second opportunities,” Sharks center Joe Pavelski said. “We didn’t find a way to get it up and get it by (Niemi).”
The Sharks top line of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau scored San Jose’s only goal but they were also on the ice for Chicago’s two goals. It was typical of this line that has been all or nothing this year in Stanley Cup odds games. “What you’re probably asking me is the fact that they were on the ice for two goals against, and got nothing five on five. That happens sometimes.” San Jose head coach Todd McLellan said, “I didn’t think they were poor. I thought they gave us 22 hard minutes. But with that said, I think we’ll need a little bit more heading into Game 2.”
Chicago has a little more scoring, a little bit better goaltender, a little bit better coach and overall they may be just a little bit better team in this Stanley Cup betting series. Chicago is 10-1 in their last 11 games as an underdog. The Blackhawks are 10-4 in their last 14 games following a win.
The Blackhawks are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in San Jose. The Sharks are 6-1 in their last 7 playoff games as a favorite. The Sharks are 46-20 in their last 66 Tuesday games.
Looking at the total in Stanley Cup odds total, the Over is 3-1-1 in the Blackhawks last 5 road games. The Under is 4-1 in the Sharks last 5 Conference Finals games. The Over is 5-2-2 in the last 9 meetings in San Jose between the two teams.