Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, and the San Jose Sharks will do battle against Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in a cross-country matchup. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will air the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2.
San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
The Penguins (-190) are tabbed as the favorites over the Sharks (+165), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -125 for the over and +105 for the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 5.1 units, Pittsburgh is 24-15 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the league so far in this young season, is an improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2018-19 season (44-38). Among the team’s 39 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while another 19 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 16-6 SU at home this year.
The Penguins have converted on 19.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
With a .894 save percentage and 24.3 saves per game, Matt Murray (12 wins, 11 losses, and four OT losses) has been the best option in goal for Pittsburgh this season. If Pittsburgh decides to give him a breather, however, the team might roll with Tristan Jarry (13-5-5 record, .938 save percentage, 1.88 goals against average).
San Jose has lost 11.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 17-24 straight up (SU). Through 41 regular season matches, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team this season, the Sharks are 6-12 SU.
The Sharks have converted on just 14.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully defended 87.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Martin Jones (3.13 goals against average and .893 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 24.6 saves per game and owns a 13-17-1 record.
San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Sharks are 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Penguins are 2-0 in shootouts.
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in four of their past five matchups.
- Over San Jose’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-6 in those games).
- This game features two of the more aggressive defenses in the league. San Jose skaters have given out the league’s 11th-most hits per game (22.5) while the Pens have tallied the second-most (28.9).
