The San Jose Sharks have lost the first two games of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but according to SBG Global sportsbook odds, the former are due for victory in game 3 of the series:
Penguins +1½ (-270) 5½ (+120) +120
Sharks -1½ (+230) 5½ (-140) -140
Fans betting on hockey will agree that the previous two games went down as very close contests. Game 1 went without a goal until around the 12 minute mark, when Penguins Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary scored within a minute of each other. The second period was all San Jose and the Sharks managed to tie the score with Tomas Hertl scoring off a power play and Patrick Marleau’s tying goal from an assist by Brent Burns and Logan Couture. Nick Bonino made the difference in the third period and Pittsburgh took the first one home 3-2 at the Consol Energy Center.
Game 2 was even tighter, for those SBG Global sportsbook fans who wondered if that could even be possible. Both teams managed to go scoreless for the entirety of the first period this time out. The Penguins once again drew first blood when Phil Kessel took advantage of a series of blunders courtesy of San Jose’s defense and scored at 8:20 of the second period. It seemed as if that was the silver bullet to put the Sharks away for the second time in a row, but Justin Brawn sent the game into overtime with a late goal in the third period. However, San Jose’s hopes were dashed with a Conor Sheary goal at 2:35 of OT to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead in the series.
It’s safe to say that both games could have easily gone either way, and the Sharks kicked into an entirely new gear in their period of game 2. On the one hand they came up short again, but in the other, they also came within an inch of tying the series – which now moves to the SAP Center on Saturday. Of course, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, so San Jose must absolutely win game 3 not only to avoid a home loss which would be fatal for their Stanley Cup expectations, but also to get finally get on the board.
The Sharks have been quite consistent playing at home, and the Penguins have only won once in their last 13 visits to San Jose. Moreover, San Jose is 8-1 in their last 9 games playing after two days off, and 4-1 in their last 5 games played on a Saturday. Speaking of which, Saturday’s all right for wagering, and people betting on hockey can do so at SBG Global sportsbook.