After two games in San Jose, in which the Sharks could not take advantage of their home support, the Western Conference championship series moves back to Vancouver. The Canucks will look to close out a series... maybe.
The city of Vancouver will be ready to celebrate on Tuesday when the Canucks have their first chance since 1994 to return to the Stanley Cup Finals. After losing Game 3, the Canucks responded with a 4-2 win in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead.
San Jose Sharks
After ending their eight-game Conference Championships losing streak in Game 3, the Sharks had a chance to even the series in Game 4, but fell apart in the second period. San Jose faced three separate five-on-three situations and allowed a goal in each of them. Trailing 3-0, the Sharks were unable to get back into the game and now face elimination for the second time this postseason. The Sharks have not received much production from key players Dany Heatley, Devin Setoguchi and Joe Pavelski. That trio has combined for zero goals, three assists and have a combined minus-7 rating for the series. Joe Thornton will play in Game 5 despite what appears to be a significant shoulder injury that he suffered midway through the third period in Game 4.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks power play continues to shine in this series, as they scored three more in Game 4 and have nine in the series. The nine power-play goals is a team record for a playoff series. Henrik Sedin set a Canucks single-game playoff record with four assists and tied a team single-game playoff points record with four points. Brother Daniel recorded three assists in Game 4, marking the fifth time brothers scored at least three points in the same playoff game. After combining for just seven points in their series against the Predators, the Brothers Sedin have combined for 15 points in the Conference Finals.
Betting stats
The Canucks had a chance to end both the Conference Quarterfinals and Semifinals in five games at home, but lost both games. Watching Game 4, it looked like the Canucks broke the Sharks spirit. I look to Vancouver in the betting odds and see them winning on Tuesday and reaching the Cup Finals for the first time in 17 years, this play is confirmed by Dave Lawrence and backed by NHL betting trends:
VANCOUVER is 25-8 ATS (75.8%, +11.9 Units) after covering 3 of their last 4 against the spread this season. The average score was VANCOUVER 3.7, OPPONENT 2.4 - (Rating = 2*).