A couple of teams facing each other for the first time this season, the San Jose Sharks and the Columbus Blue Jackets collide at Nationwide Arena. NBC Sports California will air this East-West matchup, and the action gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4.
San Jose Sharks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
The Blue Jackets are 19-22 straight up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (to the tune of -2.8 units) thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a noticeable slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (47-35). Of its 41 games this season, 15 have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 12-10 SU at home this year.
Columbus has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.7 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 4.6 per game over its last five games home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 11.4 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
With a .913 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Joonas Korpisalo (17-15-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Blue Jackets this year. If head coach John Tortorella chooses to rest him, however, the Jackets could roll with Elvis Merzlikins (2-10-10 record, .905 save percentage, 2.92 goals against average).
The Jackets will continue to look for leadership out of Pierre-Luc Dubois and Gustav Nyquist. Dubois (28 points) has tallied 14 goals and 14 assists and has recorded multiple points on five separate occasions this year. Nyquist has nine goals and 19 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 21 games.
San Jose has lost 11.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 18-24 straight up (SU). A total of 20 of its matches have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just two have pushed. San Jose’s 7-12 SU as the away team this season.
San Jose has converted on just 14.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully defended 88.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s players have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 5.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Martin Jones (.893 save percentage and 3.13 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 24.6 saves per game and has 13 wins, 17 losses, and one overtime loss to his credit.
Logan Couture (13 goals, 21 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Sharks.
San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Sharks are 8-10 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Blue Jackets are 4-9 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- San Jose is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Columbus is 0-2 in shootouts.
- Columbus has averaged 7.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.5 takeaways per game (ranked 28th overall).
- San Jose skaters have created 3.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked 10th).
