Stanley Cup Betting Preview: Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks

How They Got Here: The Avs slumped quite a bit down the stretch this season, losing seven of their final nine games. Because of that, they’re the only team in the Western Conference playoffs to not have at least 100 points to their credit. However, they’re not short on talent or confidence and feel as though they can take out anyone in the NHL over a seven game set.
Player To Watch: Rookie Matt Duchene had himself a heck of a year, scoring 24 goals and picking up 31 assists. Though there’s no doubting that C Paul Stastny is the man to keep in check for the Sharks, Duchene is the one that can really do damage on the second line if no one is paying attention.
Goalie Outlook: The goaltending options on this team aren’t fantastic, but G Craig Anderson is going to be the man that is between the pipes for the majority of the playoffs barring a collapse. The good news is that he picked up a ton of experience in his 71 appearances this year, but the bad news is that a 38-32 record isn’t anything to write home about.
Key To Victory: There isn’t a team with a bigger shot discrepancy in the Stanley Cup playoffs than the Avalanche. They only rank 29th in shots per game at 27.9 and isn’t all that much better on the defensive end of the ice, allowing 32.1 shots per game (25th).

San Jose Sharks

How They Got Here: It feels like we’re in this position every single season, but the Sharks had a great regular season and captured the top seed in the West on the final day of the season. Even though they’ve never played for a Stanley Cup, many in San Jose feel that this is once again the year in which the Sharks could be the toast of the town.
Player To Watch: We’re going to highlight an entire line here. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dany Heatley combined for 254 points on the season, and they’re largely accepted as one of the most lethal lines in hockey. These three also stuck together in the Olympic Games as the featured line on the Gold Medal Canadian hockey team.
Goalie Outlook: G Evgeni Nabokov would rather forget about those Olympics, but he still went 44-26 on the season in the NHL, making him one of the scariest goaltenders in the league. He’s got a ton of playoff experience, and has what it takes to lead a team on his shoulders to the Cup.
Key To Victory: Just don’t choke! Putting their own hands around their neck has been the only thing separating the Sharks and a chance at a championship, and barring a collapse of epic, self-destructive performances, San Jose should be able to get deep into this tournament.

The Final Word: Nothing ever seems to come easily this time of year for the Sharks. They’ll find a way to get past the Avalanche, but it’s not going to come without a very stiff fight from a young team with a lot of heart and spunk.