The SAP Center plays host to a Western Conference clash as the San Jose Sharks take on the visiting Minnesota Wild. Fox Sports North Plus will broadcast the action, which gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 10.
Minnesota Wild vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose (+105) is entering this one as the underdog to San Jose (-125), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-135 for the under, +115 for the over).
Producing 0.8 units for moneyline bettors, San Jose is 16-12 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Pacific Division in this young season, hasn’t moved much from the 46-36 record the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. 19 of the team’s 28 contests have gone under the total, while seven have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 9-7 SU at home this year.
The Sharks have converted on 19.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 87.4 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Sharks have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties for a whopping 14.0 minutes per game over their last five matchups, in total.
With a .919 save percentage and 25.5 saves per game, Martin Jones (11-9-2) has been the best option in goal for the Sharks this season. If San Jose chooses to give him the evening off, however, it may turn to Aaron Dell (5-6-6 record, .939 save percentage, 1.72 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Sharks. Couture (25 points) has put up 15 goals and 10 assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. Thornton has five goals and 15 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 15 games.
Minnesota is 14-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 28 regular season outings, 15 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Wild are 6-9 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Wild have converted on 22.0 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 unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Minnesota’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 5.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays 15.0 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Devan Dubnyk (28.6 saves per game) has been the main choice in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk has 12 wins, 10 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .914 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Wild will be Jason Zucker (14 goals, 10 assists) and Eric Staal (10 goals, 13 assists).
Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Minnesota is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while San Jose is 1-1 in shootouts.
The under has hit in three of San Jose’s last five outings.
Minnesota has managed 25.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose has been attempting 39.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
Five of Minnesota’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
