In a game that features two of the league’s top penalty-kill units, the San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers take the ice at Rogers Place. This divisional matchup gets underway at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 6, and it’ll be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton (-170) is favored over San Jose (+150). If you want to put some action on the matchup’s Over/Under (O/U) total, you’ll be looking at -120 for over 6 goals and +100 for under under..
Earning 4.7 units for moneyline bettors, the Oilers are 28-25 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 35-47 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 53 regular season outings, 26 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team is 13-12 SU at home this season.
Edmonton enters the matchup with the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 28.9 percent of their extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five contests. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for a whopping 16.6 minutes per game over its last five outings, overall.
Averaging 27.1 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Mikko Koskinen (16-14-2) has been the most dependable option in goal for the Oilers this season. If they choose to give him the night off, however, Edmonton might turn to Mike Smith (13-15-15 record, .899 save percentage, 3.00 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue to rely on offensive production from Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Draisaitl (83 points) has tallied 29 goals and 54 assists and has recorded two or more points on 25 different occasions this year. McDavid has 29 goals and 50 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 39 games.
San Jose has lost 10.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 23-31 straight up (SU). A total of 29 of its contests have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team, San Jose is 9-17 SU so far.
San Jose has converted on just 15.9 percent of its power play chances this year, 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 86.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s players have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties an unhealthy 14.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Martin Jones (24.8 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for San Jose. Jones has 13 wins, 20 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .889 save percentage and 3.25 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Sharks, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Erik Karlsson (five goals, 32 assists) and Evander Kane (20 goals, 16 assists).
San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Edmonton is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while San Jose is 2-1 in shootouts.
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their past five matchups.
- San Jose has managed 25.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Edmonton has been attempting 31.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Eight of San Jose’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-5 in those games.
- San Jose skaters created 21.5 hits per game last season, while the Oilers logged 26.7 hits per matchup.
