The SAP Center plays host to a Pacific Division showdown as the San Jose Sharks take on the visiting Calgary Flames. This one will get going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28 and it can be seen live on Sportsnet West.
Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose (+125) is entering this one as the underdog to San Jose (-145), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 for the under and +105 for the over.
San Jose is 19-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Pacific Division so far this season, is right in line with what the team produced during the 2016-17 season (46-36). Out of its 34 regular season contests, 22 of them have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 11-8 SU at home this season.
The Sharks have converted on 22.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 86.6 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Sharks have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 8.6 minutes per game over their last five matchups, overall.
Boasting a .916 save percentage and 25.8 saves per game, Martin Jones (12-12-4) has been the top option in goal for San Jose this season. If the Sharks choose to rest him, however, the team could go with Aaron Dell (7-6-6 record, .935 save percentage, 1.94 goals against average).
The Sharks will continue to rely on offensive production out of Logan Couture and Joe Thornton. Couture (26 points) is up to 15 goals and 11 assists and has recorded multiple points in seven different games this year. Thornton has seven goals and 18 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 19 games.
On the other bench, Calgary is 18-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 19 of its contests have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the road team so far, the Flames are 9-7 SU.
The Flames have converted on 17.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all penalties.
Calgary’s players have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 4.8 per game over their past five games. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Mike Smith (.919 save percentage and 2.57 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Calgary. Smith is averaging 28.2 saves per game and owns a 15-16-3 record.
Johnny Gaudreau (13 goals, 28 assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Flames.
Calgary Flames at San Jose Sharks Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Calgary is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while San Jose is 1-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of San Jose’s last five games.
