Two of the league’s best at fending off power plays, the San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks take the ice at the United Center in a Western Conference matchup. The puck drops at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 23, and it can be viewed live on WGN Channel 9.
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
San Jose (+105) is currently the underdog to Chicago (-125) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -110 for the over and -110 for the under.
San Jose is 33-28 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.3 units this season. 36 of its matches have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the road team in 2017-18, the Sharks are 16-16 SU.
San Jose has converted on 22.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Sharks have been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Martin Jones (20-21-6) has been the best option in goal for San Jose this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team could go with Aaron Dell (14-11-3 record, .912 save percentage, 2.71 goals against average).
Brent Burns and Logan Couture will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Sharks. Burns has 50 points via 10 goals and 40 assists, and has recorded multiple points 13 times. Couture has 25 goals and 22 assists to his creditand has logged at least one point in 29 games.
Chicago is 26-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 61 regular season contests, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 14-17 SU at home this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.9 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 is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago players have been penalized only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford has stopped 27.9 shots per game as the top option in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has registered a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this season.
Patrick Kane (23 goals, 34 assists) will pace the attack for the Hawks.
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- San Jose (4-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago has participated in only a couple of shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The under has hit in three of Chicago’s last five outings.
- This game features two clubs that put the puck on goal a lot. San Jose has attempted the league’s 10th-most shots on goal (32.8) and Chicago has attempted the most (34.8).
- Six of Chicago’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the club is 1-5 overall in those games.
