NHL: These Sharks Have Bite
If ever a game had the Bill Murray feel of "Groundhog Day" this was it. San Jose had trudged to a 2-0 lead against Detroit in Western Conference semi-final but trailed 3-1 with 13 minutes to go and Sharks fans were beginning to get that "here we go again" feeling. However, just like Murray who was trying to change the outcome of the day, San Jose went to work and not only altered the contest, but tilted the series completely in their favor with a 3-0 lead. For tonight's potential series clincher, the Sharks are actually the underdogs at Sportsbook.com.
The Sharks are long known for failing to meet postseason expectations and there would have been no disgrace in losing at Detroit, since the Red Wings were desperate for a victory. Nevertheless, as the Stanley Cup playoffs unfold, this San Jose squad has a different look and feel. Instead of fleeing from adversity, they have embraced it.
Talented center Joe Thornton has carried around the nickname "No Show Joe" back from his Boston days, for his inability to produce after the regular season like he did during the regular season. In Game 3, he made the pass that set up Patrick Marleau's goal in overtime. Thornton also had a goal to go along with game-winning assist in 4-3 victory and his squad is 12-2 off a road win scoring four or more goals this season.
Detroit is shocked to be in this position. "It's a tough pill to swallow," Coach Mike Babcock said.
The Red Wings understand what lies ahead and have the mentality of a champion. "We're looking at it as what a great feeling it would be if we could be the team to do that again," captain Nicklas Lidstrom said Wednesday referring to the two teams in NHL history that have come back to win series down 3-0. "In doing that, you can only look at the next game and not the four games."
The Toronto Maple Leafs, in the 1942 finals against Detroit, and the New York Islanders, in the 1975 quarterfinals against Pittsburgh, are the only teams in NHL history to win a series after trailing 0-3.
Detroit is a -130 money line fave with total Ov5.5 at Sportsbook.com, yet they are 8-14 revenging a loss as a home favorite this year and have lost three of four playoff matchups at "The Joe". The Wings are 20-6-2 UNDER as home favorites less than -150.
San Jose is 13-2 in the road sweaters after four or more consecutive times surpassing the oddsmakers given total and is 8-2 OVER after playing two straight games where seven or more total goals were scored this season.
Game 4 is on TSN at 7:30 Eastern and San Jose isn't looking at history. "I don't think we were out to convince anybody. We knew we were a different team," McLellan said. "I guess what we have to do is prove that to the hockey world." The StatFox Power Line shows San Jose -109
