[HKY] 18-May-10

Ice picks: Tuesday's best NHL bets

By SportsDirect Inc. staff

Chicago Blackhawks at San Jose Sharks

The Sharks thought they were done with all this talk about a postseason curse. San Jose rolled over the defending Campbell Trophy winners, the Detroit Red Wings, in the conference semifinals and appeared to have shaken any hex holding them back in the playoffs.

But, after a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference final Sunday, the curse chatter is starting again. The Sharks did everything in their power to win Game 1, firing 45 shots on goal but coming up with just one power-play goal.

“There’s a lot of emphasis on Game 2 now,” center Joe Pavelski told reporters. “We have to win. On home ice you want to win at least one, definitely. We’re on our heels a little bit and we have to respond.”

San Jose’s powerful offense has sputtered in the past three games. It managed just one goal in a 7-1 loss to Detroit in Game 4 of that second-round series. Then, it netted just two goals to eliminate the Red Wings with a 2-1 victory in Game 5. Add those efforts to Sunday’s close loss and the Sharks have managed just four goals on their last 106 shots.

With Chicago boasting one of the most underrated bluelines in hockey, chances are going to be hard to come by. And with both goaltenders playing well, Game 2 could finish much like the series opener.

Pick: Under

Montreal Canadiens at Philadelphia Flyers

The Canadiens’ faith in their goaltending will not be shook. Not even after suffering a 6-0 thumping at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final Sunday.

"No concern about that whatsoever," Michael Cammalleri told the Montreal Gazette. "Jaro's (goalie Jaroslav Halak) had games where pucks have gone in on him before and he's come back and played spectacular.

"Carey's (backup Carey Price) also someone we have tons of confidence in. I don't think he's let in a goal in practice in two weeks. We love our goaltending."

But while Cammalleri isn’t stressing over the poise between the posts, he should be concerned about the Habs’ play on the other end of the ice. Montreal, which ranked 25th in the NHL in scoring, is not a good offensive club. If it wasn’t for Cammalleri and Brian Gionta catching fire in the playoffs, the Canadiens wouldn’t have made it out of the first round.

Montreal’s luck could be running out. The Habs actually outshot the Flyers 28-25 Sunday but managed just five shots on goal in the third period. Cammalleri registered only one shot for the game, failing to pick up a point for the first time in the last four games.

After tapping into a miraculous offense in the first two series, the well is running dry for the Canadiens in the conference final.

Pick: Philadelphia