A couple of teams that are firmly in playoff contention, the Winnipeg Jets and the San Jose Sharks meet at the SAP Center for a Western Conference matchup. Sportsnet will air the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 25.
Winnipeg Jets vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Winnipeg is 14-8 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 22 regular season matches, 12 of its games have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Jets team is 7-5 SU on the road.
Winnipeg has converted on 24.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. Its penalty kill is ranked 18th out of 31 teams, and it’s successfully killed off 79.0 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Winnipeg has been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, 4.0 per game over its last five total, and 4.0 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The teams been forced to defend opponent power plays 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
With a .928 save percentage and 28.7 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (12-5-2) has been the top option in goal for Winnipeg this year. Hellebuyck played yesterday, however, so Winnipeg may decide to rest him and turn to Steve Mason instead (2-5-1 record, .907 save percentage, 3.31 goals against average).
Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Jets. Scheifele has 25 points on 11 goals and 14 assists, and has recorded multiple points seven times. Wheeler has five goals and 20 assists to his nameand has notched a point in 12 games.
San Jose is 11-9 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 15 of its outings have gone under the total, while four have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 6-7 SU as the home team.
San Jose has converted on just 15.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 89.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (25.1 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for San Jose. Jones has nine wins, six losses, and one OT loss and has maintained a .929 save percentage and a solid 2.03 goals against average this year.
The Sharks offense will be led by Logan Couture (11 goals, six assists).
Winnipeg Jets at San Jose Sharks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in each of San Jose’s last five games.
- Winnipeg has managed 29.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 35.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Power plays and penalty kills could prove to be extremely important in tonight’s game. The Jets are 5-3 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-4 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Sharks are 4-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 5-7 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- One of the best at pressuring opposing teams, San Jose is ranked 2nd overall this season with 11.7 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as it has averaged 14.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 12.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Winnipeg is ranked 17th overall with 7.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as it’s averaged 6.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.6 takeaways over its last five.
