World Cup betting players would compare San Jose to Spain, who haven't finished better than fourth at this event. Spain won at Euro 2008, but the Sharks have yet to make it to the Stanley Cup finals, and they're down two games to none as they head to Chicago for Game 3 on Friday.

Bet Blackhawks Sharks - Friday, May 21, 8:00 PM ET

The Blackhawks are -155 favorites at home, where they are only 3-3 so far in the postseason. The line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien have dominated this series, combining three goals and eight points in the first two games of the series in San Jose. Their counterparts in San Jose, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau have imploded, especially Thornton, who appears to be frustrated under the tight checking of Chicago's Dave Bolland. Thornton is now -10 in the playoffs, which is second-worst in the league.

Goaltending has also been a story as Chicago's Antti Niemi (1.50 GAA, .958 save percentage) has outplayed San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov (3.07 GAA, .884 save percentage). But Niemi hasn't been as good at home as he has been on the road, while Nabokov has been good away from home, excluding a five-goal haul against Detroit in Game 4 of their series with the Red Wings.

Unless the Sharks' big line matches the production of Chicago's big line, this series won't make it back to the West Coast. Marleau scored both goals in a 4-2 loss in Game 2, but his linemates need to step up.

Sports betting pick: Chicago -155