Sharks Still -120 Favorites to Advance After Losing Home Ice to Avs

• The Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks are tied 1-1 in their second round playoff series
• Nathan MacKinnon has 11 points in seven games which is second-best in the playoffs
• Three of the next five games will be played at the Pepsi Center in Colorado
  

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With a 4-3 win in their Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 series against San Jose, the Avalanche have now tied the series 1-1.

The Sharks were big favorites after winning Game 1, but all that has changed after losing Game 2.

San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche Series Odds

*Odds taken April 29, 2019

The Avalanche are finally being given some respect after knocking out the Calgary Flames in five games and now tying the series with the Sharks.

Is there value in betting the Cinderella story despite being listed at EVEN odds? The answer is an emphatic yes.

An assist from Grubauer.
A huge effort from Calvert.
An empty net game-winner from MacKinnon!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/0Is4OJS1Tn

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 29, 2019

Colorado Has Best Player in Series

It’s not basketball, so the team with the best player doesn’t always have a decided advantage, but in this case it certainly helps to have Nathan MacKinnon. He has 11 points so far in the playoffs and his 1.57 points per game ranks second in the post-season.

It’s early, but he’s a clear frontrunner for the Conn Smythe Trophy awarded to the playoff MVP.  His speed caused Calgary significant problems and it’s giving San Jose fits as well.

Nathan MacKinnon a BEAST.

And he's reached another level in the playoffs.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/AD4SsLNSRh

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 25, 2019

The issue in this series is, the Sharks defense is built more for offense than stopping a player with Mackinnon’s blend of speed and talent. As the series wears on, expect him to keep having a big impact on the result of games.

Avalanche Now Have Home Ice Advantage

The biggest issue for Colorado is their play away from the Pepsi Center. Away from home this season they won only 17 of 41 games, clearly the worst of any playoff team.

After splitting the opening two games though, they now have home ice advantage. Three of the next five games will be played in Denver, which gives Colorado the slight edge going forward.

San Jose won only 21 of 41 games on the road this season and now they’re stuck playing the bulk of the series away from the Shark Tank.

There was nothing like it before.

And really, there's been nothing like it since. #PlayoffMode pic.twitter.com/1v3JUmzQd7

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 28, 2019

Can Joe Pavelski Return & Make an Impact?

Another big problem for the Sharks is the status of Joe Pavelski. He was badly injured in Game 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights, and while the play resulted in a five-minute major that helped San Jose advance, it did take him out of the lineup.

He’s yet to play in the series and is listed with a head injury. So even if he can return, will he be at 100% and contribute like he did in the regular season and in years past in the playoffs?

Here is the Cody Eakin five-minute major for cross-checking on #SJSharks captain Joe Pavelski #VGKvsSJS pic.twitter.com/mEGVgzpcOb

— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) April 24, 2019

With a key player missing for the Sharks, the best player in the series on the Avalanche and three of the next five being played in Colorado, it’s time to start taking the underdogs seriously before the price swings even more.

Pick: Colorado Avalanche (EVEN)