In a game featuring two of the league’s top penalty-kill units, the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks take the ice at the SAP Center in a Pacific Division matchup. The match will get started at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 4, and fans at home can view it live on NBC Sports California.
Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose is 7-5 straight up (SU) and has netted 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team produced during last year’s regular season (46-36). Through 12 regular season outings, eight of the team’s games have gone under the total, while three have gone over and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team’s 4-3 SU at home.
The Sharks have converted on 19.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 89.4 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.3 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.2, the third-lowest figure in the league. After serving an average of 7.7 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 9.6 minutes per matchup this season.
Boasting a .927 save percentage and 25.4 saves per game, Martin Jones (6-3) has been the primary option in goal for the Sharks this year. If San Jose chooses to give him the night off, however, head coach Peter Deboer could turn to Aaron Dell (1-3-3 record, .907 save percentage, 2.41 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both be focal points for the Sharks. Couture (12 points) has tallied eight goals and four assists and has recorded two or more points three times this year. Thornton has two goals and seven assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in seven games.
On the other bench, Anaheim is 6-6 straight up (SU) and has earned 0 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of seven of its contests have gone under the total, while five have gone over and none have pushed. The Ducks are 3-2 SU as the away team this season.
The Ducks have converted on just 10.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim’s players have been whistled for penalties 5.3 times per game this season. Last season, that number was at 4.6, which was the highest mark in the league. After serving an average of 12.0 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 13.4 minutes per matchup this year.
John Gibson (29.0 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Anaheim. Gibson owns a 5-6-1 record, and has registered a .919 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Ducks, the offense will be coordinated by Andrew Cogliano (three goals, six assists) and Corey Perry (two goals, five assists).
Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Ducks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- After posting a 3-3 record in games decided by a shootout last year, Anaheim is off to a 1-0 start in shootouts this season. San Jose was 2-1 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- The total has gone under in each of San Jose’s last five outings.
- Anaheim has managed 24.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 32.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
- San Jose has scored 3.3 goals per game and allowed just 1.7 in its past three games (the team’s a perfect 0-0 SU over that streak).
