In a game between two teams currently on losing skids, the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks meet at the SAP Center in a Pacific Division showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, and it can be caught live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose (-205) is currently favored over Vancouver (+175), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -130 for the under and +110 for the over.
San Jose is 17-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, isn’t too far off from to the 46-36 record the team produced during the 2016-17 season campaign. Of the team’s 32 regular season contests, 21 have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 9-8 SU at home.
The Sharks have converted on 20.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 85.8 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over their past five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Sporting a .912 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Martin Jones (11-12-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Sharks this year. If San Jose decides to rest him, however, the team might go with Aaron Dell (6-6-6 record, .939 save percentage, 1.75 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Sharks. Couture (26 points) has tallied 15 goals and 11 assists and has recorded multiple points in seven different games this year. Thornton has five goals and 17 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 18 contests.
Vancouver is 15-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 20 of its outings have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. As the road team so far, the Canucks are 9-8 SU.
The Canucks have scored on 23.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Jacob Markstrom (.907 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 25.9 saves per game and owns a 9-15-3 record.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Canucks will be Brock Boeser (18 goals, 14 assists) and Henrik Sedin (two goals, 23 assists).
Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
San Jose is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 0-2 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of San Jose’s last five games.
Vancouver has managed 27.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 38.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Eight of Vancouver’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-6 in those games.
