Sharks vs Red Wings | 2010 NHL Western Conference Semifinals Preview

The first round of the 2010 playoffs is in the books and the conference semifinals are well underway. In the West things pretty much followed suit as three of the top four seeds advanced past the first round. As we move into the semifinals here is a brief look at each series along with each team’s current odds to win their conference and the Stanley Cup.

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

Sharks                   Current odds to win the Western Conference 7-5 Stanley Cup 5-2

Red Wings           Current odds to win the Western Conference 6-1 Stanley Cup 12-1

After San Jose went down 2-1 in their first round series with Colorado, fears of another first round collapse by the top seed began to surface. The Sharks were able to exercise these demons by winning the next three to bounce the Avalanche in six games.

In game one against the Red Wings they finally got the fast start they were looking for as they beat Detroit 4-3 led by a pair of goals and an assist by Joe Pavelski. They won game two by the same 4-3 score with Pavelski once again leading the way with two more goals and an assist. This is the first time since 2006 the Sharks have been up 2-0 in a playoff series.

Detroit finished the regular season on a role to climb all the way to the #5 seed in the conference. Actually favored in their first round series against #4 seed Phoenix, it took them all seven games to get by a very persistent Coyote team winning the series clincher in convincing fashion 6-1.

The Red Wings looked to carry this momentum into the next round but may have been suffering a bit of fatigue from their extended battle with Phoenix. In their 4-3 opening game loss as they fell behind 3-0 and could never fully close the gap. In game two they had a 3-2 lead after two periods but could not stop San Jose in the third in another 4-3 loss. Facing a 0-2 hole they will have to rely on home ice and their past playoff experience to find a way to get back into this series.

Click Here for more Free Expert NHL Hockey Picks

San Jose Sharks Betting Trends:

• San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose’s last 6 games on the road
• San Jose is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
• San Jose is 5-19-1 SU in its last 25 games ,when playing on the road against Detroit

Detroit Red Wings Betting Trends:

• Detroit is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games
• Detroit is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games at home