Sharks Given -400 Odds to Advance to Western Conference Final After Taking 3-2 Series Lead

• San Jose Sharks claimed a 3-2 lead in their second-round NHL playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche by posting a 2-1 win in Game 5 on Saturday night
• With the win, the Sharks have vaulted to massive -400 favorites to return to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016
• Avalanche have won four of seven against San Jose on home ice, but best betting value is likely found in wagering on Sharks to close out the series with a win in Game 6 on Monday night

The San Jose Sharks took control of their second-round NHL playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night, eking out a 2-1 win to grab a 3-2 series lead, and have been rewarded on the NHL series prices.

They now sit as -400 favorites to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Avalanche vs Sharks NHL Playoff Series Price

*Odds taken on May 5

See-Saw Series Continued with Sharks Victory in Game 5

The Sharks’ win in Game 5 continues a trend that has seen these two teams alternate between wins and losses over the first five games.

However, San Jose was clearly in the driver’s seat on Saturday night, dictating pace and controlling play for lengthy stretches while outshooting the Avalanche 39-22, the widest margin so far in the series.

Indeed, things could have been much worse for the Avalanche were it not for the spectacular play of Philipp Grubauer. The German netminder stood tall in the face of the onslaught, turning aside 37 of 39 shots, including 17 saves in the second period alone.

Grubauer was spectacular, but we couldn’t get him the win.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ncvV8DBbtL

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 5, 2019

However, the Avalanche are going to need a lot more than Grubauer’s spectacular goaltending if they are to get back into this series. The club entered Game 5 as a +100 underdog on the NHL series prices, but failed to capitalize on limited scoring opportunities, and now lags at a distant +300.

The Avalanche came up empty handed on a trio of power plays while giving the Sharks ample opportunity to cash in by taking five penalties on the night, resulting in a momentum-killing power play marker by Tomas Hertl late in the second period.

Now facing elimination on home ice in Game 6 on Monday night, the Avalanche face the massive challenge of tallying consecutive wins over Sharks for just the second time since March 2014, dropping 13 of 19 overall to San Jose during that stretch.

Avs Hold Edge in Recent Clashes With Sharks on Home Ice

But all is not lost for the Avalanche. Colorado turned in an impressive two-way performance in a 3-0 win over the Sharks in Game 4, and have knocked off San Jose in four of seven home dates overall.

While there is little value currently to be found in taking the Sharks to win the series as a -400 bet, the game line odds for Monday’s Game 6 matchup at Pepsi Center offer some intriguing betting options.

Winners of nine of their past 10 on home ice, the Avalanche return to Denver pegged as narrow -120 favorites to even up the series and force a Game 7 with a victory on Monday night.

Colorado has limited opponents to two or fewer goals in eight of those contests, while Grubauer has been red-hot at home, backstopping the club to victory in eight of his past nine appearances.

Sharks Emerging as Attractive Bet to End Series on Monday Night

But the best value is likely found in the +100 odds favoring the Sharks to close out the series with a win on Monday night. The Sharks attack clearly demoralized Colorado on Saturday night, which was made clearly evident by the lack of fight displayed by the Avalanche when Grubauer got into a shoving match with Joe Thornton late in the game.

Grubauer shoves Thornton, who takes a whack at him in response and we have a meeting pic.twitter.com/nfqg44ahBO

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) May 5, 2019

The Avalanche’s best players have also gone MIA. Nathan McKinnon mustered just one shot on goal and a lackluster effort in Saturday’s loss, ending an eight-game point streak, while Mikko Rantanen was also held off the scoresheet, and has yet to find the back of the net through the first five games of the series.

And while Grubauer has clearly proven yet again that he deserves to be an NHL starter, he cannot be expected to singlehandedly lead this Avalanche squad back to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2002.

Pick: San Jose Sharks to win Game 6 (+100)