Stanley Cup Playoffs Clash between Avalanche and Sharks: Lines and Game 1 Forecast
The Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks are set to face off in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Friday night, with the spotlight shining bright on this highly-anticipated matchup.
Derick Brassard, a key center for the Avalanche, is expected to return to the lineup after missing three games during the first-round series against Calgary due to flu-like symptoms. Meanwhile, the Avalanche had an injury problem heading into the game against the San Jose Sharks in the 2019 Western Conference semifinals, with specific details about the injured players unavailable.
One player who made a significant impact in the first round was Cale Makar, a college defenseman who scored his first career NHL goal in Game 3 against Calgary. On the other side, Erik Karlsson finished the first round with a franchise record of nine assists, a testament to his exceptional playmaking skills.
The Sharks' offensive firepower will be led by Logan Couture, who is tied for the league-lead in playoff goals with six and is currently on a three-game goal scoring streak. Couture has also contributed at least a goal in four of his last five contests, making him a player to watch in this series.
The series will take place at the SAP Center, with the Sharks favored on the NHL Betting Lines for the opener and the series. However, the Avalanche can draw confidence from their strong performance in the first round, where Mikko Rantanen led the team in scoring with nine points and Nathan MacKinnon collected eight points.
Philipp Grubauer, the Avalanche's goalie, posted impressive numbers in the series against Calgary, boasting a 1.90 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. The Sharks, meanwhile, set a record for most power-play goals in a playoff period during their series against Vegas, a statistic that could prove crucial in this series.
The Sharks' comeback victory in Game 7 against Vegas was historic, as they became the second team in NHL history to overcome a three-goal third-period deficit to win a Game 7. This demonstrates their resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity, a trait that could serve them well in this series.
However, the Sharks will be without Joe Pavelski, who suffered an injury during Game 7 and his absence will be a significant loss for the team. Blood was seen when Pavelski hit his head on the ice, adding to the concern surrounding his injury.
NHL Center Ice will televise the game, providing fans with the opportunity to witness this exciting series unfold. As both teams prepare to battle it out, one thing is certain - this Western Conference semifinal series promises to be a thrilling display of hockey at its best.
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