Erik Karlsson, Timo Meier, and the San Jose Sharks are set to face off against Eric Staal, Ryan Suter, and the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center for a Western Conference tilt. Fox Sports North will air the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15.
San Jose Sharks vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
The Wild (-160) are the favorite over the Sharks (+140), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Minnesota is 27-30 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (37-45). Of its 57 games this season, 27 have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just five have pushed. The team’s 17-13 SU at home this year.
The Wild have been able to convert on 22.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 74.6 percent of all penalties.
Sporting a .908 save percentage and 25.5 saves per game, Alex Stalock (15-14-4) has been the top goalkeeper for Minnesota this year. If head coach Bruce Boudreau chooses to give him the night off, however, Minnesota might turn to Devan Dubnyk (10-17-17 record, .893 save percentage, 3.33 goals against average).
San Jose has lost 10.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 25-32 straight up (SU). Through 57 regular season matches, 29 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team this season, the Sharks are 11-17 SU.
The Sharks have converted on just 16.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked second overall and it’s successfully killed off 85.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Martin Jones (24.8 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for San Jose. Jones owns a 13-20-2 record, and has registered a .889 save percentage and 3.25 goals against average this year.
San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Wild are 1-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Sharks are 2-1 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of Minnesota’s last five games.
- San Jose has managed 27.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Minnesota is averaging 31.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Over San Jose’s last ten games, nine of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-6 in those games).
- San Jose skaters have given out the 12th-most hits in the league (22.4 per game).
