The United Center is playing host a Western Conference tilt as the San Jose Sharks square off against the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the third and final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 26, and you are able to catch it live on NBC Sports Chicago.
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
San Jose is 43-32 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.3 units this season. Through 75 regular season outings, 41 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Sharks are 19-18 SU on the road in 2017-18.
San Jose has converted on 21.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.8 percent of its penalties.
San Jose, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.3 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .918 save percentage and 26.1 saves per game, Martin Jones (29-25-7) has been the top option in goal for San Jose this year. If San Jose chooses to rest him, however, they could go with Aaron Dell (15-12-3), who has a .913 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average this year.
Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Sharks. Burns has 60 points on 11 goals and 49 assists, and has recorded two or more points 14 times. Pavelski has 19 goals and 41 assists to his credit (and has registered at least one point in 41 games).
On the other bench, Chicago is 31-45 straight up (SU) and has lost 19.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 38 of its matches have gone under the total, while 34 have gone over and just four have pushed. It’s 17-21 SU at home this season.
Chicago has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago players have been penalized only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for Chicago. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit and has maintained a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this year.
Patrick Kane (26 goals, 46 assists) will pace the attack for Chi-town.
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five outings.
- This game features two clubs that attempt a heavy amount of shots on goal. San Jose has attempted the league’s ninth-most shots on goal (32.9) while Chicago has attempted the fourth-most (34.3).
- The Sharks are 14-12 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Blackhawks are 5-13 SU when they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- San Jose (4-3 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Chicago has participated in only two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- Chicago skaters have created 8.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.3 takeaways per game (ranked 15th overall).
- San Jose has scored 3.1 goals per game overall this season, but is averaging 4.9 per match up in their past seven games (the team’s a perfect 7-0 SU during that span).
- San Jose skaters have created 6.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.7 takeaways per game (ranked fifth).
- San Jose might hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 17-12 in one-goal games, while Chicago is only 10-17 in such games.
