The SAP Center will be the site for an East-West clash as the San Jose Sharks square off against the visiting New Jersey Devils. It’s the last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. NBC Sports California will broadcast the game, which gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20.
New Jersey Devils at San Jose Sharks Odds
Earning 1.4 units for moneyline bettors, the Sharks are 40-32 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far this season, hasn’t moved much from what the team produced during last year’s regular season (46-36). Through 72 regular season matches, 40 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 21-14 SU at home this season.
San Jose’s converted on 21.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.0 percent of all penalties.
San Jose, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 1.2 per game over its last five outings home outings. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 3.8 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Martin Jones (26-25-7) has been the top goalkeeper for the Sharks this season. If they decide to rest him, however, head coach Peter Deboer may go with Aaron Dell (15-12-12 record, .913 save percentage, 2.66 goals against average).
Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns will each lead the way for the Sharks. Pavelski (58 points) is up to 18 goals and 40 assists and has recorded two or more points on 12 separate occasions this year. Burns has 10 goals and 45 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 40 games.
On the other bench, New Jersey is 37-35 straight up (SU) and has earned 8.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 72 regular season matches, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while another 35 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team, New Jersey is 19-18 SU.
New Jersey has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their past ten contests. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (.912 save percentage and 2.81 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for New Jersey. Schneider is averaging 28.5 saves per game and has 18 wins, 20 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Taylor Hall (31 goals, 46 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Devils.
New Jersey Devils vs. San Jose Sharks Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
San Jose is 4-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 5-4 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of San Jose’s last five outings.
New Jersey has managed 25.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose has been attempting 32.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
San Jose has averaged 3.0 goals per game overall this year, but has upped that figure to 5.3 per contest over its four-game win streak.
Over San Jose’s last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-2 in those games).
New Jersey skaters have dished out the league’s 12th-most hits per game (22.3).
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