Expansion teams simply do not win division titles. Nor are they legitimate championship contenders in year one. At least not until now. Vegas has completely flipped the script on the expectations for first year teams. NHL playoff lines have the Golden Knights as one of the top Stanley Cup favorites. And its not an accident. Vegas was deliberately built with skill and speed. Not to mention excellent goaltending. But to reach the promised land they must defeat San Jose. And beating the Sharks is no given. San Jose and Vegas will compete for a slot in the Western Conference Final.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks Round 2 Game 1
Date and Time: Thursday, 26th April 2018 at 3:00PM EST
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada and SAP Center, San Jose, California
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharks | +1½ (-255) | 5 (-115) |  |
| Golden Knights | 1½ (+215) | 5 (-105) | |
| |||
Golden Knights vs. Sharks TV Coverage: Check Listings
NHL Fans get ready
Vegas and San Jose will matchup in a best of seven series. The first two games will be at Vegas. Games three and four will be at San Jose. If necessary game five returns to Sin City. For game six the Shark Tank would host. And if a seventh game is needed Vegas would get it on home ice. Vegas was the two seed in the Western Conference. Winning the Pacific Division with 109 points catapulted them there. San Jose was third in the Pacific with 100 points.
Vegas Golden Knights
Balance was the key to Vegas’ success in the regular season. What is surprising is how well their defense played in the first round. Goaltender Marc Andre Fleury is a key asset with the NHL playoff lines. In a clamp down series the Golden Knights were able to adapt. Transitioning from up tempo to shutdown mode impressed all. William Karlsson was impressive with one goal, one assist and a plus one. Just ten goals were scored in the tight four-game series vs. LA. Yet Karlsson was still able to contribute. He led Vegas with 43 goals in the regular season.
Anaheim Ducks
San Jose swept the Anaheim Ducks in the opening round. Until the February trade deadline, the Sharks were inconsistent. Then Evander Kane arrived from Buffalo. Since Kane’s arrival the team has thrived. Kane catches the attention of enemy defenders. This frees up teammates for opportunities. In the first round of the playoffs the Sharks were the second highest scoring team. Tomas Hertl, Marcus Sorensen and Kane led with three goals each. Goaltender Martin Jones was lights out with a .970 save percentage.
Vegas Numbers
Vegas had the upper hand in this sportsbook matchup. Three wins in four games went to the Golden Knights this year. Included in that was two wins in two games at home vs. the Sharks. Over the total hit in two of the four games. One of the two tilts in Vegas went over the number.
Matchup to Watch
Vegas is getting a reasonable price with the NHL Playoff lines. San Jose is no slouch but Vegas holds a big edge in goal. Marc Andre Fleury should prove to be the difference maker in this matchup. Fleury posted an eye-popping save percentage of .977 in the first-round sweep of the LA Kings.
Golden Knights vs. Sharks NHL Playoff Lines Picks
Vegas to win the series in six games is the pick. Expect the Golden Knights to reach the Western Conference Final!
NHL Betting Online Pick: Vegas Golden Knights
NHL Betting Online Series Prediction: Golden Knights in six games
Check out highlights of Vegas clinching its series against the Kings!