Squaring off for the second and final time this season, the Washington Capitals and the San Jose Sharks face off at the SAP Center for an East-West matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10, and you can witness the game live on NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Capitals vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Washington is 37-30 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. 38 of its outings have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just one has pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Caps are 14-19 SU.
Washington has converted on 21.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
The Caps, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over its past five games total, and 3.8 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Braden Holtby (29-19-4) has been the best option in goal for Washington this season. If head coach Barry Trotz decides to rest him, however, Washington may turn to Philipp Grubauer (8-18-3), who has a .923 save percentage and 2.35 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin (72 points) is up to 40 goals and 32 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 19 different games. Kuznetsov has 20 goals and 44 assists to his name (and has registered at least one point in 40 games).
San Jose is 36-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 39 of its matches have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 20-13 SU as the home team this year.
The Sharks have converted on 21.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s good enough for 10th-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 1.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 3.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (25.9 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for the Sharks. Jones has 23 wins, 24 losses, and seven OT losses and has maintained a .917 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average this season.
The Sharks offense will be led by Joe Pavelski (18 goals, 35 assists) and Brent Burns (10 goals, 43 assists).
Washington Capitals vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
San Jose is 4-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
Seven of Washington’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-5 in those games.
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