Two teams that split their season series (one game apiece) last year, the Carolina Hurricanes and the San Jose Sharks meet at the SAP Center in an East-West showdown. NBC Sports California will showcase the game, which gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7.
Carolina Hurricanes at San Jose Sharks Odds
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With a -135 moneyline, San Jose comes into the contest as the favorite. The line for Carolina sits at +115, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 under, +105 over.
San Jose is 14-12 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Pacific Division so far this season, hasn’t moved much from what the team produced during last years regular season (46-36). 19 of its 26 outings have gone under the total, while six have gone over and just one has pushed. The teams 7-7 SU at home this season.
The Sharks have converted on just 16.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that puts them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 86.4 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Martin Jones (10-9-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Sharks this year. If the Sharks, however, decide to give him a rest, the team could roll with Aaron Dell (4-6-6 record, .933 save percentage, 1.93 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will each spearhead the attack for the Sharks. Couture (21 points) has tallied 13 goals and eight assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. Thornton has four goals and 12 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 14 games.
On the other side of the ice, Carolina is 11-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 13 of its contests have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team, the Hurricanes are 5-8 SU so far.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 16.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 76.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina’s players have been penalized only 2.8 times per game this season, and 3.5 per game over their last ten match ups. The teams had to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling (.902 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina. Darling is averaging 24.3 saves per game and has seven wins, 13 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Hurricanes, the offense will be coordinated by Teuvo Teravainen (eight goals, 14 assists) and Sebastian Aho (five goals, 14 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
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Predictions: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Two of Carolina’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- The total has gone under in four of San Jose’s last five games.
- Over Carolina’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
