The United Center will play host to a Western Conference matchup as the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the visiting San Jose Sharks. WGN Channel 9 will showcase the game, which gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 23.
San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
San Jose (+105) is currently the underdog to Chicago (-125) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
San Jose is 33-28 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 36 of its outings have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Sharks are 16-16 SU as the road team in 2017-18.
San Jose has converted on 22.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, it has the third-strongest penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 83.9 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, San Jose has been penalized just 3.5 times per game during the 2017-18 season, and 2.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 5.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Martin Jones (20-21-6) has been the best option in goal for San Jose this year. If it decides to rest him, however, San Jose may roll with Aaron Dell (14-11-3 record, .912 save percentage, 2.71 goals against average).
Brent Burns and Logan Couture will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Sharks. Burns has 50 points on 10 goals and 40 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 13 different games. Couture has 25 goals and 22 assists to his nameand has notched a point in 29 games.
On the other bench, Chicago is 26-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 61 regular season outings, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just three have pushed. This year, the team’s 14-17 SU as the home team.
Chicago has converted on just 15.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all penalties.
Chicago players have been called for penalties only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit and has registered a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this season.
The Hawks will be led on offense by Patrick Kane (23 goals, 34 assists).
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
San Jose (4-3 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Chicago has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
The total has gone under in three of Chicago’s last five outings.
Two clubs that shoot the puck early and often, San Jose has registered the league’s 10th-most shots on goal (32.8) and Chicago has attempted the most (34.8).
Over Chicago’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-5 in those games).
