In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks take the ice at the SAP Center in a Western Conference showdown. The game will get going at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 1 and it can be caught live on NBC Sports Network.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Chicago (+145) is entering this one as the underdog to San Jose (-165), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Losing -1.6 units for moneyline bettors, San Jose is 34-30 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division so far this season, isn’t too far off from to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (46-36). Through 64 regular season contests, 38 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 18-12 SU at home this year.
The Sharks have converted on 21.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.5 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five outings at home. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 4.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 26.4 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Martin Jones (21-23-7) has been the best option in goal for the Sharks this year. If the Sharks choose to rest him, however, the team may roll with Aaron Dell (14-11-11 record, .912 save percentage, 2.71 goals against average).
The Sharks will continue relying on offensive production from Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. Burns (51 points) is up to 10 goals and 41 assists and has recorded multiple points on 13 separate occasions this year. Pavelski has 16 goals and 34 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 33 contests.
Chicago is 27-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 63 regular season outings, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Blackhawks are 12-19 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their past five contests. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Crawford owns a 16-12-2 record, while registering a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
Patrick Kane (23 goals, 35 assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at San Jose Sharks Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- San Jose (4-3 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Chicago has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The total has gone under in four of Chicago’s last five games.
- Two clubs that have pounded opponents’ goalies with shots, Chicago has attempted the league’s second-most shots on goal (34.7) and San Jose has attempted the ninth-most (32.9).
- Over Chicago’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
