NHL fans could get a preview of the Western Conference finals on Friday as San Jose will be in Detroit, and the Red Wings have been booted from the playoffs in two straight seasons by the Sharks, so this early-season contest takes on some extra meaning.

Sharks Red Wings Odds – Friday, 7:30 PM ET

The Sharks won the first two games of a seven-game swing through the east in New Jersey and Boston, and even though many making a pay per head NFL pick will stay away from a west coast team on the East, San Jose is off to a good start. They’ll play in Nashville on Tuesday night, then have three days off until the Detroit game.

The Red Wings have to play in Columbus on Tuesday, but they’ll be trying to pick themselves up after a 7-1 loss at the hands of Washington last Saturday. The two teams were unbeaten heading into that game, but the Red Wings looked completely overmatched. Goaltender Jimmy Howard will likely be back after missing Tuesday’s game due to the birth of his first child, but he was also on the bench for the Washington game after playing the night before against Columbus. That was a mistake.

NHL odds should favor the Red Wings at home, but the Sharks are 4-1 in their last five trips to the Motor City, with four games falling under the posted total. The Red Wings will be out to prove that they’re still a threat in the West, and they’ll be motivated by their postseason losses to San Jose, so Detroit is the smart play at sports betting websites.