Two clubs that split their season series one win each last year, the Florida Panthers and the San Jose Sharks take the ice at the SAP Center for an East-West tilt. The match will get going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16, and you can witness the game live on NBC Sports California.
Florida Panthers at San Jose Sharks Odds
Florida (+130) is playing the role of underdog to San Jose (-150) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
San Jose is 10-6 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 2.6 units this year. That win percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far this season, is an improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (46-36). 11 of the team’s 16 games have gone under the total, while four have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 6-4 SU at home this season.
The Sharks have converted on just 15.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that puts them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 88.5 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, 4.6 per game over their last five contests total, and 3.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for a whopping 13.6 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
With a .925 save percentage and 24.8 saves per game, Martin Jones (eight wins, four losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Sharks this year. If the Sharks choose to give him a breather, however, the team may roll with Aaron Dell (2-4-4 record, .934 save percentage, 1.94 goals against average).
The Sharks will continue seeking offensive production via Logan Couture and Joe Thornton. Couture (15 points) has tallied 10 goals and five assists and has recorded two or more points on four separate occasions this year. Thornton has two goals and eight assists to his credit and has recorded a point in nine contests.
On the other bench, Florida is 6-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 17 regular season outings, 12 of its games have gone over the total, while five have gone under and none have pushed. The Panthers are 2-6 SU as an away team this season.
The Panthers have converted on 17.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida’s skaters have been penalized 4.8 times per game this season, 4.6 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties 10.2 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
James Reimer (.891 save percentage and 3.77 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Reimer is averaging 25.4 saves per game and has three wins, seven losses, and one OT loss to his credit.
For the visiting Panthers, the offense will run through Jonathan Huberdeau (seven goals, 14 assists) and Aleksander Barkov (six goals, 13 assists).
Florida Panthers at San Jose Sharks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Six of Florida’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- The Panthers are 2-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 1-6 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- San Jose may hold the upper hand if it’s a close one late. The team’s 5-1 in games decided by one goal, while Florida is 2-5 in such games.
- The total has gone under in four of San Jose’s last five outings.
- San Jose skaters have averaged 15.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 14.8 giveaways per game (ranked 30th in the league).
- Florida has averaged 10.2 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 13.2 giveaways per game (ranked 30th).
