The Anaheim Ducks hope to avoid a San Jose Sharks sweep at the SAP Center in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. This one will get started at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 18 and it can be watched live on GOLF, RSN1, TVA2 and NSCA.
Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Anaheim (+160) is entering this one as the underdog to San Jose (-180) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 5 goals (-135 money on the over, +115 on the under).
Earning 3.2 units for moneyline bettors, San Jose is 48-37 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during last year’s regular season (46-36). Out of its 85 regular season matches, 44 of them have gone under the total, while 38 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 26-16 SU at home this season.
After producing the 15th-ranked power-play unit in the regular season (scoring on 21.6 percent of all opportunities), the Sharks have connected on 35.3 percent of their power plays in the early stages of this postseason.
The Sharks’ offensive skaters attempted 33.0 shots per game in the regular season, leading to 3.1 goals per outing (ranked 12th overall in the NHL). In the postseason, the club’s maintaining an average of 35.0 shots on goal (and up to 4.7 goals per game).
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Martin Jones (34 wins, 29 losses, and seven OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for San Jose this season. If the Sharks, however, decide to rest him, the team might turn to Aaron Dell (15-14-14 record, .914 save percentage, 2.64 goals against average).
The Sharks will continue relying on leadership via Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns. Pavelski (71 points) has produced 23 goals and 48 assists and has recorded two or more points 14 times this year. Burns has 13 goals and 55 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 48 contests.
On the other bench, Anaheim is 44-41 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 50 of its matches have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Ducks are 18-24 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Ducks have converted on just 17.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim’s players have been penalized 4.3 times per game this season, and 5.6 per game over their past five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties 11.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
John Gibson (28.8 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Anaheim. Gibson has 33 wins, 30 losses, and eight OT losses to his credit, while registering a .924 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average this year.
Rickard Rakell (35 goals, 35 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of San Jose’s last five games.
Anaheim skaters have accounted for the league’s seventh-most hits per game (24.2).
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