In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks meet at the SAP Center for a Pacific Division matchup. CBC Sports will showcase the matchup, which gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 11.
Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Earning 0.5 units for moneyline bettors, the Sharks are 8-6 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team posted during the 2016-17 season (46-36). Of the team’s 14 regular season contests, nine have gone under the total, while four have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 5-4 SU at home.
San Jose’s converted on 17.5 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 third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 88.5 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, San Jose has been penalized 4.1 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 been forced to kill penalties for 8.9 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 24.6 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Martin Jones (seven wins, four losses) has been the best option in goal for the Sharks this year. If they decide to give him a rest, however, head coach Peter Deboer might go with Aaron Dell (1-4-4 record, .905 save percentage, 2.46 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both lead the charge for the Sharks. Couture (12 points) is up to eight goals and four assists and has recorded two or more points on three different occasions this year. Thornton has two goals and eight assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in eight games.
Vancouver is 8-8 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 2.3 units this year. Through 16 regular season contests, nine of its games have gone under the total, while seven have gone over and none have pushed. As an away team, Vancouver is 5-2 SU so far.
Vancouver has converted on just 15.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.7 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s players have been called for penalties 4.4 times per game this season, and 3.7 per game over their last ten contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (.914 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.2 saves per game and owns a 5-8-2 record.
Brock Boeser (five goals, nine assists) has been one of the primary playmaking threats for the visiting Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- The total has gone under in four of San Jose’s last five outings.
- Vancouver has managed 28.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 35.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- The Canucks are 4-3 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Sharks are 2-3 SU when they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- Vancouver is ranked 30th in the NHL with 5.6 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as it has forced 4.7 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.2 takeaways over its last five.
