Rogers Place will be the site for a divisional matchup as the Edmonton Oilers square off against the visiting San Jose Sharks. The matchup will get underway at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, and you’ll be able to view it live on Sportsnet West.
San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton (+115) is entering this one as the underdog to Edmonton (-135), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-125 for the under, +105 for the over).
San Jose is 17-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 31 regular season contests, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Sharks are 8-6 SU.
San Jose has converted on 20.4 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.6 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, 3.6 per game over its past five games total, and 4.4 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Sporting a .914 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Martin Jones (11-11-4) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose this season. If San Jose decides to rest him, however, head coach Peter Deboer could roll with Aaron Dell (6-6-1), who has a .939 save percentage and 1.75 goals against average this year.
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Sharks. Couture has 26 points on 15 goals and 11 assists, and has recorded two or more points in seven different games. Thornton has five goals and 17 assists to his name, and has logged a point in 18 games.
On the other side of the rink, Edmonton is 14-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 16 of its matches have gone over the total, while another 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 5-10 SU as the home team.
The Oilers have converted on just 17.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.1 percent of all penalties.
Oilers players have been called for penalties 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.5 per game over their past ten games. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot has denied 26.0 shots per game as the top option in goal for the Oilers. Talbot has 11 wins, 12 losses, and one OT loss to his name and has registered a subpar .905 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Connor McDavid (12 goals, 28 assists).
San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The under has hit in three of Edmonton’s last five outings.
Two clubs that put the puck on goal a lot, San Jose has attempted the league’s 10th-most shots on goal (33.0) and Edmonton has attempted the fifth-most (34.8).
The Oilers this season have handed the second-most hits per game (27.1).
