Two of the league’s best at finding the net on the power play, the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks conclude their seasons at the SAP Center in a Western Conference showdown. The action gets going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 6, and fans at home can see it live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Losing 12.3 units for moneyline gamblers, San Jose is 45-36 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is right in line with the 45-37 record the team posted during the 2017-18 season campaign. Through 81 regular season outings, 45 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 24-16 SU at home this season.
The Sharks have connected on 23.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for seventh-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
Boasting a .896 save percentage and 24.5 saves per game, Martin Jones (36 wins, 25 losses, and five OT losses) has been the top goalkeeper for the Sharks this year. If the Sharks decide to rest him, however, San Jose could roll with Aaron Dell (11-14-14 record, .886 save percentage, 3.17 goals against average).
Over on the other bench, Colorado is 38-43 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 41 of its matches have gone under the total, while 39 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team, the Avalanche are 17-23 SU.
The Avalanche have converted on 22.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Semyon Varlamov (.910 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Colorado. Varlamov is averaging 27.8 saves per game and has 20 wins, 28 losses, and nine OT losses to his credit.
Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Over San Jose’s last ten outings, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-5 in those games).
- Power plays and penalty kills may be even more critical than usual tonight. The Avalanche are 16-19 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 23-26 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Sharks are 20-16 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 32-22 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Two of Colorado’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- San Jose could have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 18-14 in games decided by one goal, while Colorado is 9-22 in such games.
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five outings.
- Colorado skaters have averaged 5.6 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 7.2 giveaways per game (ranked third overall).
- San Jose skaters have averaged 10.0 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 10.1 giveaways per game (ranked 17th in the NHL).
