BRYAN
Chicago Blackhawks at San Jose Sharks (-140, 5.5)
The Sharks thought they were done with all this talk about a postseason curse. San Jose rolled over the defending Campbell Trophy winners, the Detroit Red Wings, in the conference semifinals and appeared to have shaken any hex holding them back in the playoffs.
But, after a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference final Sunday, the curse chatter is starting again. The Sharks did everything in their power to win Game 1, firing 45 shots on goal but coming up with just one power-play goal.
“There’s a lot of emphasis on Game 2 now,” center Joe Pavelski told reporters. “We have to win. On home ice you want to win at least one, definitely. We’re on our heels a little bit and we have to respond.”
San Jose’s powerful offense has sputtered in the past three games. It managed just one goal in a 7-1 loss to Detroit in Game 4 of that second-round series. Then, it netted just two goals to eliminate the Red Wings with a 2-1 victory in Game 5. Add those efforts to Sunday’s close loss and the Sharks have managed just four goals on their last 106 shots.
With Chicago boasting one of the most underrated bluelines in hockey, scoring chances are going to be hard to come by. And with both goaltenders playing well, Game 2 could finish much like the series opener.
TAKE THE UNDER (5.5) IN THIS ONE.
OK take the Celtics +7.5....I thought this was obvious.
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