NHL Vegas Odds: Kings Host Sharks Looking for 2-1 Series Lead

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

by Bodog Sportsbook

The San Jose Sharks weren’t supposed to have much trouble with the injury-ravaged Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference quarterfinals, but San Jose likely will find itself down two games to one in this series if its Big 3 doesn’t start performing tonight. The Sharks are -120 favorites on Bodog Sportsbook’s NHL Vegas Odds.

Los Angeles stole home-ice advantage with a 4-0 win in San Jose on Saturday. Young defenseman Drew Doughty was the star with two goals and two assists, while Jonathan Quick made 34 saves. Doughty’s four points tied a Kings playoff record for a defenseman. San Jose goalie Antti Niemi allowed the four goals on 23 shots to lose for the first time in four postseason starts at the Shark Tank.

The Kings of course are without leading scorer Anze Kopitar, who is out for the season, and didn’t have suspended Jarret Stoll in Game 2. Stoll was booted a game for a Game 1 hit from behind on Sharks defenseman Ian White, who suffered a concussion. Both will be on the ice tonight.

So far, Sharks stars Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle have a combined zero points and minus-3 rating. Thornton and Marleau have just four shots on goal each. Dany Heatley scored a goal just 28 seconds into the playoffs but hasn't been on the score sheet since.

Only three active players in the NHL have more winning goals in the postseason than Marleau with 12. In eight first-round games over the past two years, Marleau has one goal, two assists and a minus-3 rating. And in the past six playoff games dating to last year’s sweep in the West Finals by the Blackhawks, Thornton has just one assist and a minus-7 rating.

Get the best NHL Vegas Odds at Bodog Sportsbook – always know the odds!

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antti niemi - anze kopitar - dan boyle - dany heatley - drew doughty - ian white - jarret stoll - joe thornton - jonathan quick - los angeles kings