In a game between two squads that have put themselves squarely in playoff contention, the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings meet at the Staples Center in a Pacific Division tilt. Sportsnet will air the game, and the puck drops at 4 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15.
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (+115) is currently the underdog to Los Angeles (-135), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-140 money on the under, +120 on the over).
Los Angeles is 24-19 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division so far in the early season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (39-43). Of its 43 games this season, 19 have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 11-10 SU at home this year.
The Kings have converted on just 17.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 87.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Kings have been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 5.1 per game over their last ten matchups. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 11.0 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
With a .924 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (19-16-2) has been the top option in goal for Los Angeles this season. If Los Angeles decides to rest him, however, the team may roll with Darcy Kuemper (5-5-5 record, .934 save percentage, 2.11 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to lean on the offensive production via Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (45 points) has tallied 18 goals and 27 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Brown has 15 goals and 17 assists to his name and has notched a point in 22 games.
On the other side of the rink, San Jose is 22-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 41 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Sharks are 9-11 SU as the away team this season.
The Sharks have scored on 22.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked second overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (24.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for San Jose. Jones owns a 14-15-5 record, and has registered a .911 save percentage and 2.65 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Sharks, the offense will run through Brent Burns (seven goals, 26 assists) and Logan Couture (17 goals, 14 assists).
San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of San Jose’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The over has hit in four of Los Angeles’ last five games.
Los Angeles has allowed 2.4 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing 4.0 goals per contest over its three-game losing streak.
The Kings this season have registered the second-most hits per game (25.2), but the club has averaged 28.0 over their last five home games.
