Online Sports Book Overview
The pace in this series has been feverish. The older Red Wings seem to be more than able to keep up with the younger San Jose Sharks. But as people continue to bet Kentucky Derby online, it is becoming obvious that the Sharks have the advantage in this series in goaltending and defense. NHL fans have drooled over the Detroit Red Wings’ defense for years, but that same defense has been in place for a long time and it is getting old. The younger and stronger Sharks’ forwards are winning the battles in the corners, and in front of the Detroit net.
A 5dimes review of the moves made by the San Jose Sharks in the offseason shows a team that identified what it thought were its short-comings and addressed them. The most glaring short-coming seemed to be in goal. Long-time Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov was released, and the Sharks picked up Stanley Cup winning goaltender Antti Niemi from the Chicago Blackhawks. It took a while for Niemi to get into a groove, but once he did he became the very thing the Sharks needed.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are going to have to concede the fact that Jimmy Howard is, at best, a good NHL goaltender. He is not, unfortunately, an elite goaltender capable of winning a Stanley Cup. Howard gives up too many rebounds and gets himself out of position too often to be a consistent playoff winner. The defense in front of him is backing in because of the pressure being put on by the Sharks forwards. However, watching the Detroit and San Jose forwards work against each other has been a treat in this series. The Sharks forwards are very fast and very strong, while the Detroit forwards are extremely smart. The combination has made for some good hockey, but it is all still falling on the side of the Sharks.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks may have been right about replacing Nabokov, but Antti Niemi sure took long enough to prove them right. Early in the season, it looked like Niemi was ready to be a one-hit wonder in the NHL. But he has shown that, just like Billy Smith and Grant Fuhr, he is a playoff goalie. He shines brightest when the prize is in sight. The Sharks defense in front of Niemi has been able to keep the shooting lanes clear so the goalie can see the shots from the point. The Sharks are winning the battles in the corners, and their passing in this series has been second to none. The Sharks kind of look like the Red Wings used to back when the Wings were winning Cups.
The Bottom Line
The Red Wings are going to need to do some major overhauling this offseason if they want to compete next year. The defense is old and the goaltending is average. But it is still hard to imagine the Red Wings getting swept in a playoff series, especially in their own building. Maybe one last blast before the Red Wings are dismantled is in order.
Pick: Detroit Red Wings
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