In their second of five head-to-head meetings this season, the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks face off at Rogers Arena for a divisional showdown. Sportsnet Pacific will air the game, which gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
San Jose is 17-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. 20 of its contests have gone under the total, while eight have gone over and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Sharks team is 8-5 SU on the road.
San Jose has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it has successfully killed off a whopping 87.1 percent of its penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 5.4 per game over its past five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties an unhealthy 14.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 25.2 saves per game with a .915 save percentage, Martin Jones (11-10-3) has been the best option in goal for San Jose this year. If head coach Peter Deboer decides to rest him, however, San Jose might turn to 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 way for the visiting Sharks. Couture (25 points) has tallied 15 goals and 10 assists, and has recorded two or more points in seven different games. Thornton has five goals and 17 assists to his nameand has logged a point in 17 games.
On the other side of the ice, Vancouver is 14-18 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.3 units this season. 17 of its contests have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 5-10 SU at home this year.
The Canucks have converted on 20.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver players have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their last five contests total, and 4.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom has stopped 26.1 shots per game as the top choice in goal for the Canucks. Markstrom has eight wins, 14 losses, and three OT losses to his name and has recorded a 2.56 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Brock Boeser (16 goals, 13 assists).
San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
San Jose is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 0-2 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of Vancouver’s last five outings.
Vancouver has averaged 2.6 goals per game this year, but is averaging 1.3 goals per matchup over its four-game losing streak.
Seven of Vancouver’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 2-5 overall in those games.
