Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks – 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1, Game 7 – April 30, 2014 Betting Preview and Prediction

Two years after becoming the first ever no. 8 seed to win the Stanley Cup, the Los Angeles Kings now aim to make another bit of history tonight by becoming just the fourth team in NHL history to come all the way back from a 3-0 series deficit against the San Jose Sharks.

To achieve that feat they’ll need to win in the Shark Tank – a tall order for any team.

Kings and Sharks are just one of no less than three NHL game sevens happening tonight, the first time there have been three in one night since April 22, 2003. Don’t miss out: claim a 50% deposit bonus and get your betting account in action just in time for the action.
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Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks Round 1, Game 7 Betting Preview

Series Schedule & Results

Game 1 – April 17, Los Angeles 3 at San Jose 6

Game 2 – April 20, Los Angeles 2 at San Jose 7

Game 3 – April 22, San Jose 4 Los Angeles 3 (OT)

Game 4 – April 24, San Jose 3 Los Angeles 6

Game 5 – April 26, Los Angeles 3 San Jose 0

Game 6 – April 28, San Jose 1 Los Angeles 4

Game 7 – April 30, 10:00 PM ET, Los Angeles (+115) at San Jose (-135); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines

Betting on the Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are on the verge of an epic comeback in large part because their defense has started to play like the one that conceded the fewest goals in the league this season.

[sc:NHL240 ]After allowing 17 goals in the first three games, former Conn Smythe-winning goalie Jonathan Quick has allowed just four in the last three, including his eighth career postseason shutout in Game 5.

While the Kings’ defense has stopped leaking goals, their attack which ranked in the bottom fifth in goals in the regular season has matched the Sharks’ prolific offense with 21 goals.

Anze Kopitar has been amazing all series long, leading the team with eight points. He and Justin Williams (four goals, tied for most in the playoffs) totaled three points each in the Sharks’ 4-1 Game 6 win.

The over is 5-1-1 in the Kings’ last seven games.

Betting on the San Jose Sharks

The Sharks’ Game 6 loss was a controversial one, but they should only have themselves to blame if they ultimately lose the series after leading the series 3-0. Game 7 is still in their building, where they are 15-5 in their last 20 meetings against the Kings.

Questions have swirled around the Sharks’ goaltending in this series. Anti Niemi, after winning the first three games of the series, was pulled in Game 4 and 5, then benched for Game 6, all in favor of back up Alex Stalock, who promptly lost Game 6.

Niemi will be back for Game 7, but his confidence could not be at 100% after a tumultuous series in which he allowed 16 goals in just five games.

In the meantime, the goals that fueled the Sharks’ initial wins have suddenly dried up. Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, and Joe Thornton have combined for one point in the Sharks’ three losses, and these offensive leaders will need to more (see: anything) for the Sharks to right the ship.

Still, don’t be too quick to count out an offense that ranked 6th in goals in the regular season and poured in 13 goals past Jonathan Quick in their other two home games.

Writer’s Prediction

The Sharks offense snaps out of its malaise on home-ice as they take Game 7 after being down 3-0 for the second year in a row.
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