NHL Picks – Sharks Attempt to Bite Back Against Chicago

The San Jose Sharks were unable to send their raucous home town fans happy on Sunday afternoon in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. The Chicago Blackhawks were not most people’s NHL free pick to win Game 1 but proved that they truly are a team on a mission.

Chicago Blackhawks @ San Jose Sharks
10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, May 18, 2010
HP Pavillion, San Jose, California
On: Versus (USA) and TSN (Canada)

Chicago leads series 1-0

Chicago Blackhawks: +120

The Chicago Blackhawks proved on Sunday afternoon that they are indeed in it to win it. They fought off five power plays against, 45 shots on goal and a hostile San Jose crowd to take a 1-0 series lead. They played with trademark speed, skill and heart in Game 1 and now they will be looking to deepen the hole that the Sharks are already in.

Chicago’s top line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien were all over the ice during Game 1 proving that they are ready to carry on the impressive play that saw them eliminate the Vancouver Canucks in six games. Although there were only two goals scored, every one of the supporting cast got into the act on Sunday. Only Brent Sopel and Ben Eager failed to register at least one shot on goal.

Perhaps the most important thing that came out of Game 1 for the Blackhawks is the play of their defense and Antti Niemi. The Blackhawks defensive corp. was able to keep the much bigger San Jose team outside where rebounds could not be taken advantage of. When a quality scoring chance was given up, Antti Niemi was there to slam the door – 44 times!

Puckline: Chicago: +1.5 (-245): San Jose: -1.5 (205)

San Jose Sharks: -140

The San Jose Sharks did all that they could in Game 1 of the Western Conference final and definitely have something to build off going into Game 2. San Jose fired 45 shots at Antti Niemi but were only able to beat him once. The Sharks had five power plays to the Hawks none. One would think that the law of averages will reward the Sharks for their good effort in Game 1 at sometime during this series.

The San Jose offense will be fine. Jason Demers scored the Sharks only goal on Sunday in a game in which both top lines were effective. The second line of Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi and Ryane Clowe actually outshot the first line of Heatley, Thornton and Marleau by a 17-8 margin. The second line is looking to be a major factor in this series by the looks of it as well. Despite Thornton, Marleau and Heatley being a combined minus six during the game the Sharks played OK and perhaps deserved a better fate on home ice.

Defensively, the Sharks held their own against a relentless Chicago attack. Chicago got their chances but the defense was there more often than not to clear away rebounds of clear the front of the net for Evgeni Nabokov. Nabokov was unquestionably the second star of the game behind Antti Niemi.

Game 2 should be another dandy! Game 1 did not materialize into the “feeling out process” that many had predicted. These two teams are going full tilt already in this series and are providing some very entertaining hockey. It is time for the San Jose Sharks to be rewarded for their hard work in Game 1 and improve upon their impressive regular season and playoff home record. Look for the series to go Chicago all tied up.

NHL Free Pick: San Jose Sharks -140