In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks take the ice at the SAP Center in a Western Conference tilt. The action gets started at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, and you are able to see it live on NBC Sports California.
St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose (-150) is currently favored over St. Louis (+130), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
San Jose is 35-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, is fairly close to what the team produced during the 2016-17 season (46-36). Of the team’s 66 games this season, 26 have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 19-13 SU at home.
The Sharks have converted on 21.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.7 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Sharks have been penalized just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 1.4 per game over their last five outings home outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for just 4.0 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Martin Jones (22 wins, 24 losses, and seven OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose this season. If the Sharks, however, choose to rest him, San Jose could go with Aaron Dell (14-12-12 record, .914 save percentage, 2.65 goals against average).
Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns will both spearhead the attack for the Sharks. Pavelski (53 points) has tallied 18 goals and 35 assists and has recorded two or more points 11 times this year. Burns has 10 goals and 42 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 37 contests.
On the other bench, St. Louis is 35-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 66 regular season matches, 40 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team, the Blues are 15-17 SU.
The Blues have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
St. Louis’ skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 4.2 per game over their last five contests. The team has had to kill penalties 10.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Jake Allen (2.83 goals against average and .904 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for St. Louis. Allen is averaging 24.8 saves per game and has 19 wins, 25 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Blues will be Brayden Schenn (24 goals, 33 assists) and Vladimir Tarasenko (26 goals, 30 assists).
St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
San Jose is 4-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while St. Louis is 3-0 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of San Jose’s last five outings.
This game features two clubs that put the puck on goal a lot. St. Louis has attempted the league’s ninth-most shots on goal (32.9) while San Jose has attempted the ninth-most (33.0).
Five of St. Louis’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
St. Louis skaters have accounted for the league’s 10th-most hits per game (22.5).
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