A game between two teams currently on losing streaks, the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks clash at the SAP Center for a Western Conference matchup. The match will get going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 5, and it’ll be showcased live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Colorado Avalanche at San Jose Sharks Odds
With a moneyline of -175, San Jose enters the game as the noticeable favorite. The line for Colorado sits at +155 and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
The Sharks are 44-36 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 0.5 units this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division so far this season, hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during the 2016-17 season (46-36). 43 of the team’s 80 matches have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 24-15 SU at home this season.
San Jose has converted on 20.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.2 percent of all penalties.
As a team, San Jose has been whistled for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, 3.0 per game over its last five games total, and 3.2 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 8.0 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Martin Jones (30-28-7) has been the primary option in goal for the Sharks this year. If they, however, decide to give him the evening off, the team may roll with Aaron Dell (15-13-13 record, .913 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski will both lead the way for the Sharks. Burns (65 points) has tallied 11 goals and 54 assists and has recorded two or more points on 15 different occasions this year. Pavelski has 21 goals and 43 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 44 contests.
Colorado is 42-38 straight up (SU) and has netted 9.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 40 of its matches have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just seven have pushed. Colorado’s 15-25 SU as the away team this season.
Colorado has converted on 21.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
Colorado’s skaters have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.7 per game over their last ten outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 5.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Semyon Varlamov (.920 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado. Varlamov is averaging 28.8 saves per game and has 26 wins, 25 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Avalanche will be Nathan MacKinnon, who’s got 38 goals and 56 assists this year.
Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of San Jose’s last five outings.
The Avalanche are 13-16 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Sharks are 14-13 SU in games where they serve more minutes than their opponent.
San Jose is 5-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 2-1 in shootouts.
San Jose has created 8.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 8.7 takeaways per game (ranked 5th in the league).
Colorado is ranked 23rd with 6.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as it has forced 5.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.2 takeaways over its last five.
San Jose could hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 18-14 in games decided by one goal, while Colorado is 11-15 in such games.
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