Two clubs that are squaring off for the final time this season, the New York Rangers and the San Jose Sharks face off at the SAP Center for an East-West showdown. The puck drops at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, and it is being televised live on MSG2.
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose is 26-21 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.5 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Pacific Division in this young season, is right in line with the 46-36 record the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Out of its 47 regular season matches, 29 of them have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 14-9 SU at home this year.
The Sharks have connected on 23.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over their last ten matchups. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 25.0 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Martin Jones (15 wins, 16 losses, and five OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Sharks this year. If the Sharks, however, choose to rest him, head coach Peter Deboer could go with Aaron Dell (12-9-9 record, .923 save percentage, 2.32 goals against average).
Brent Burns and Joe Thornton will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Sharks. Burns (39 points) has tallied seven goals and 32 assists and has recorded two or more points in nine different games this year. Thornton has 13 goals and 23 assists to his name and has notched a point in 26 contests.
Over on the other bench, New York is 24-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 27 of its contests have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team so far, the Rangers are 7-14 SU.
The Rangers have converted on 19.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 17th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.922 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 28.9 saves per game and owns a 21-21-4 record.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will run through Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 27 assists) and Pavel Buchnevich (13 goals, 18 assists).
New York Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of San Jose’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 3-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The over has hit in three of San Jose’s last five games.
New York has managed 30.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 35.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
Over New York’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-6 in those games).
