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Much like a salesman having spent a long time trying to put together a sales proposal and looking to close the deal in order to make the sale, three NHL teams will try to closeout opponents in Game six of opening round. All three of these hockey clubs are favorites with 3-2 leads, two will to conquer on the road, while the other hopes they have a date with destiny on home ice. First up is Detroit at Nashville on NBC (that’s right a major network). Most hockey experts thought the Red Wings would have dispatched of Nashville by now; however the Predators had different ideas, having to close the season 5-0-1 (5-1 ATS) just to make the playoffs. Playing at home ignited Nashville, winning games three and four and almost pulling upset in Detroit in game five, losing in overtime.
We’re a desperate hockey team right now. We’ve been desperate the entire season. We just put ourselves right back in that same situation,” Predator goalie Dan Ellis said. “It’s a comfortable situation for us.
“We’re back home where we have the advantage of our home crowd behind us to lift us up through those tired moments. We’re going to give it every push that we can.”
Ellis made an amazing 52 saves in Game 5 loss and will try to push Nashville to 6-0 in recent home games despite being +135 home money line underdogs at Sportsbook.com. Detroit is 41-15 ATS after a win and will try to avoid a game seven scenario.
With six inches of new snow having fallen in Calgary Saturday, the Flames will try to put the chill on San Jose’s efforts to end the series. One loss away from a third straight first-round exit, the Flames know what’s at stake.
“We have to play well, that’s the bottom line,” Alex Tanguay said. “Some guys will play five minutes and some guys will play 25 minutes, but you have to make sure they’re your best.” Calgary is 13-4 ATS in home games against excellent defensive teams allowing 2.4 or less goals a game and will need superior effort to avoid eighth loss in nine outings in elimination game. Since mid-January, all five times the Flames have lost two straight, they rebounded with a victory. The task will not be a simple one for Calgary, since San Jose is 28-15 ATS on the road this year and is 13-5 ATS in road games after a two-game unbeaten streak this season. The Sharks are -130 road favorites and are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Calgary is 7-2 ATS as a home underdog. On Versus Network at 9 Eastern, Dallas will look to end the reign of Anaheim as Stanley Cup champions. The Stars need to get power play cranked up again or they could blow golden opportunity. The Stars got the upper-hand in the series by scoring on eight of their first 20 power plays, notching at least two such goals in each of the first three games. Since then they are 0-15 in man-advantage situations, including 0-5 in Game five. Dallas got to see first hand what a motivated, disciplined Anaheim team can be like in 5-2 loss in Game five. The Stars are 39-25 ATS following a loss of three or more goals. Dallas players comprehend the back and forth nature of the playoffs. “That’s part of the playoffs,” Stars forward Stu Barnes said. “You’re going to have good days and bad days. You just try to have as many good ones as possible. In a playoff series, you’re always making adjustments, trying to find an advantage, trying to be better the next night.”
The Ducks are 27-12 ATS after allowing two or less goals and are +120 underdogs. They will have one big area in their favor tonight, being 11-0 ATS off an home win scoring four or more goals this season.
Just like at car dealerships, it’s time for the closers to finish the deal.
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