Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks Game 4 Preview
Where: SAP Center, San Jose
When: Tuesday, April 18, 2017, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Edmonton Oilers (+115) vs. San Jose Sharks (-135); total: 5.0 – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: NBCSN
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Betting on the Edmonton Oilers (+1.5)
The Oilers are a step closer to advancing to the second round of the playoffs after a 1-0 win in Game 3 over San Jose. Positioned to win the series at home in Game 5, the Oilers attempt to get another win at the Shark Tank later tonight before the series shifts back to Edmonton.
The Oilers have won all their last three trips to San Jose dating back to the regular season and big part of their success there was the team’s defense, as they haven’t allowed just three goals total in that stretch.
Cam Talbot could be recognized as the MVP of this series once it ends with the goaltender going an exceptional job in front of the net. Talbot, who stopped all of San Jose’s 23 shots in Game 3, has posted a shutout in back-to-back games and will look to continue with his strong play.
Talbot, however, could use a healthier support from the offense that has scored just five regulation goals thus far these playoffs.
There has to be more coming from the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who are the Oilers top two goal scorers back in the regular season. McDavid has a goal and an assist so far on the series, while Draisaitl has yet to record a point.
Betting on the San Jose Sharks (-1.5)
The Sharks need to bite back—particularly on offense.
After consecutive shutout losses to the Oilers, it’s pretty clear that finding goals has been the biggest issue for the Sharks, who were 19th in the regular season in goals for per game (2.67).
The Sharks have to generate as many shots as possible and put more pressure on Edmonton’s Talbot, who faced just 16 shots in Game 2. The Sharks did better in Game 4, outshooting Edmonton, 23-22, but the puck just won’t trickle through. With that, its’ high time for the Sharks’ big guns to show up.
Brent Burns, who led the Sharks in the regular season with 29 goals, is silent through three games of the series with zero points to show. Joe Pavelski, meanwhile, has just a point in the first round. Both will have to step up, especially with Joe Thornton apparently not in 100 percent form with a knee injury.
San Jose is just 0-for-8 on the man advantage the last two games and the Sharks have to capitalize on power play opportunities, considering how good Talbot has been for the Oilers this series.
Martin Jones, meanwhile, is holding his own against the Oilers’ offense. He’s just been unlucky with the Sharks suffering a scoring drought. Jones has allowed just five goals on 77 shots faced so far in the first round.
Writer’s Prediction
San Jose (-135) ties the series with a 3-2 win.
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