Stanley Cup Final 2016: Odds, Props, Predictions for Penguins vs. Sharks

After the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, it was all about the San Jose Sharks finding a way to establish themselves as a factor in the series.

They dropped the first two games of the series because the Pittsburgh Penguins controlled play and were the faster and more decisive team.

The Penguins and Sharks switched venues in Game 3, but there was little that changed in the way the game was played. The Penguins carried the play to San Jose at the Sharks' home SAP Center, and they had a 42-26 advantage in shots on goal. They had several opportunities to put the game away, but couldn't put the puck past San Jose goalie Martin Jones at the most crucial moments.

While the Penguins seemed to have the best of it for the majority of the game, the Sharks came out on top when Joonas Donskoi scored the game-winning goal in overtime. The Sharks are back in the series as a result of that 3-2 victory, and they can square the series at two games each if they win again at home Monday night.

The oddsmakers are favoring Peter DeBoer's team to do just that. The Sharks are 20-27 favorites according to Odds Shark, while the Penguins are 61-50 underdogs.

The Penguins may not have to do much to get the result they want. Center Matt Cullen believes the Penguins are on the right track when it comes to Game 4.

Cullen told Dan Rosen of NHL.com:

"

We were a shot away, a bounce away, and we had plenty of opportunities at the end of the third and in overtime to win it. I don't think it was a dominant performance by any team. They played like a team that had their backs against the wall and I thought we responded, I thought we met the challenge pretty well, but I think there's another level. I think we can be better.

"

While the Penguins know they played well in Game 3 and could easily have a 3-0 lead at this point, the Sharks also understand that.

Joel Ward, who scored tying goal in the third period that sent the game into overtime, knows how close his team came to falling into a deep hole.

"It's a big turnaround," Ward told Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "It could have gone the other way if we would have lost. It would have been a tough hole, but now with the win here it gets us back in the ballgame pretty good and we have another opportunity at home to even up the series."

Matchup	Series Standings	Time (ET)	TV	Prediction
Pittsburgh Penguins at San Jose Sharks	Pittsburgh, 2-1	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, TVAS	San Jose, 4-2

The Sharks need to find a way to get Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns and Logan Couture going. Pavelski has not scored a point in the first three games of the series, and while he remains the leading goal scorer in the postseason with 13, the Sharks clearly need him to turn things around soon.

When Pavelski has been on the ice in even-strength situations, the Sharks have had an advantage in puck possession. 

"I have no doubt he's going to break through here. He has all year for us. It's just a matter of time," DeBoer told Nicholas Cotsonika of NHL.com.

If the Sharks can get Pavelski going, as well as Burns and Couture, they should have an excellent chance in Game 4. Burns was on the verge of scoring the go-ahead goal in Game 4, but his goal-mouth shot in the second period was smothered by Penguins goalie Matt Murray.

Prediction

The Sharks were forced to play catch-up once again in Game 3. The only lead the Sharks have had in the series came as a result of Donskoi's game-winner in overtime.

The Sharks have been chasing the Penguins throughout the series and have not been able to dictate the pace in any game. Getting an early lead would help the Sharks assert themselves and show the Penguins how they are capable of playing.

Getting an early goal from Pavelski, Burns or Couture would help them do that. If one of their stars can give them the lead, the Sharks will have a chance to play their best hockey of the series.

Look for that to happen. The Sharks will finally take a lead early in the game, and they should be able to secure a 4-2 victory that ties the series.

Goal-scoring prop

While the Stanley Cup Final does not offer bettors the wide array of prop bets that are common to the Super Bowl and other major events, bettors can wager on the leading goal scorer for the series.

Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby of the Penguins are the favorites at odds of 5-1, according to Oddschecker. Pavelski has the shortest odds of any Shark player at 7-1.

The choice here is Ward, who scored in Game 3 and has scored clutch goals in the first three rounds for the Sharks. Ward has the toughness and determination to go to the front of the net, and he also has the skill to deflect shots and jump on rebounds.

If Ward ends up as the leading goal scorer in the series, those who back him will get a return of 14-1 for their investment.