In a game between two teams that have started the season off strongly, the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings take the ice at the Staples Center in a divisional tilt. Fox Sports West will showcase the game, which gets going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 12.
San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 5.5 units, the Kings are 11-5 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That win percentage, ranked third in the league so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (39-43). Of the team’s 16 games this season, nine have gone over the total, while six have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 5-3 SU at home so far this year.
Los Angeles has converted on 17.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 91.5 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, LA has been called for penalties 4.4 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for a whopping 14.4 minutes per game over its last five outings, overall.
With a .932 save percentage and 31.7 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (9-4-1) has been the top option in goal for the Kings this season. If the Kings decide to give him the evening off, however, head coach John Stevens could go with Darcy Kuemper (2-2-2 record, .908 save percentage, 2.53 goals against average).
The Kings will continue seeking offensive production from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (20 points) has tallied eight goals and 12 assists and has recorded two or more points in six different games this year. Brown has seven goals and nine assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in eight games.
On the other side of the ice, San Jose is 8-6 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 14 regular season contests, nine of its games have gone under the total, while four have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team, San Jose is 3-2 SU so far.
San Jose has converted on 17.5 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked second overall and it’s successfully killed off 88.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season. Last season, that number was at 3.2, which was the third-best mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.7 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to kill penalties for 8.9 minutes per matchup this season.
Martin Jones (.922 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 24.6 saves per game and owns a 7-4 record.
Logan Couture (eight goals, four assists) and Joe Thornton (two goals, eight assists) are the top point-getters for San Jose and will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Sharks.
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Betting Trends:
- The total has gone over in each of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
- The Sharks are 2-3 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Kings are 4-3 SU in games where they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- Los Angeles skaters have averaged 3.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.4 takeaways per game (ranked 31st overall).
