Rogers Arena is playing host a Pacific Division showdown as the San Jose Sharks pay a visit to the Vancouver Canucks. The action will get underway at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15, and you’ll be able to watch the game live on Sportsnet Pacific.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
San Jose is 17-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. 20 of its games have gone under the total, while eight have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Sharks are 8-5 SU.
San Jose has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, it has the second-best penalty kill in the league, and the teams successfully killed off a whopping 87.1 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 5.4 per game over its last five games. The teams been forced to kill penalties a whopping 14.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Sporting a .915 save percentage and 25.2 saves per game, Martin Jones (11-10-3) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose this season. If head coach Peter Deboer decides to rest him, however, San Jose might go with Aaron Dell (6-6-1 record, .939 save percentage, 1.75 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Sharks. Couture has 25 points on 15 goals and 10 assists, and has recorded two or more points seven times. Thornton has five goals and 17 assists to his credit (and has registered at least one point in 17 games).
Over on the other bench, Vancouver is 14-18 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.3 units this season. 17 of its matches have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team is 5-10 SU at home.
The Canucks have converted on 20.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver players have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.0 per game over their last five at home. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (26.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for the Canucks. Markstrom has eight wins, 14 losses, and three OT losses and has maintained a 2.56 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
Brock Boeser (16 goals, 13 assists) will pace the attack for Vancouver.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Vancouver is 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while San Jose is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Vancouver’s last five games.
- Vancouver has averaged 2.6 goals per game overall this season, but has been averaging 1.3 goals per matchup on its four-game losing streak.
- Over Vancouver’s last ten outings, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
