A couple of teams riding winning streaks, the San Jose Sharks and the Florida Panthers face off at the BB&T Center for a cross-country showdown. The match will get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1, and it is being televised live on NBC Sports California.
San Jose Sharks at Florida Panthers Odds
Florida (-115) is currently the favorite over San Jose (-105), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-125 under, +105 over).
San Jose is 13-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 23 regular season outings, 17 of its games have gone under the total, while five have gone over and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Sharks team is 6-3 SU on the road.
San Jose has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, it has the second-best penalty kill in the league, and it has successfully killed off a whopping 88.5 percent of its penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box just 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its past five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .930 save percentage and 25.1 saves per game, Martin Jones (10-7-2) has been the top option in goal for San Jose this season. If head coach Peter Deboer decides to rest him, however, the team could roll with Aaron Dell (3-6-1 record, .924 save percentage, 2.06 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Sharks. Couture (21 points) has tallied 13 goals and eight assists, and has recorded two or more points in five different games. Thornton has four goals and 11 assists to his name (and has registered at least one point in 12 games).
Florida is 10-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 13 of its matches have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 5-6 SU at home this year.
The Panthers have converted on just 15.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.6 percent of all penalties.
Florida players have been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Roberto Luongo (33.3 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in goal for the Panthers. Luongo has six wins, seven losses, and one OT loss to his credit and has registered a .927 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average this season.
The Panthers offense will be led by Jonathan Huberdeau (eight goals, 17 assists).
San Jose Sharks at Florida Panthers Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Florida is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while San Jose is 1-1 in shootouts.
The under has hit in four of Florida’s last five outings.
Two teams that have pounded opponents’ goalies with shots, San Jose has attempted the league’s 10th-most shots on goal (32.8) and Florida has attempted the seventh-most (34.3).
