A game that features two squads currently on losing skids, the Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks clash at the SAP Center for a divisional matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 10, and you can view it live on CBC Sports.
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks Odds
The Sharks are 28-26 straight up (SU) and have lost 3.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is fairly close to the 46-36 record the team posted during last years regular season campaign. 33 of the teams 54 matches have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 14-11 SU at home this year.
San Jose enters the matchup with the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 24.2 percent of their extra-man chances this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.4 percent of all penalties.
San Jose, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its past five contests. The teams had to defend opponent power plays for just 8.8 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .912 save percentage and 25.5 saves per game, Martin Jones (16-20-6) has been the best goalkeeper for the Sharks this season. If they decide to rest him, however, the team may turn to Aaron Dell (13-10-10 record, .919 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).
The Sharks will continue to look for leadership from Brent Burns and Logan Couture. Burns (47 points) is up to nine goals and 38 assists and has recorded multiple points on 11 different occasions this year. Couture has 22 goals and 18 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 24 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Edmonton is 23-30 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 53 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just one has pushed. Edmonton’s 11-15 SU as the visiting team this season.
Edmonton has converted on just 15.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.9 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, 4.4 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The teams been forced to kill penalties an unhealthy 17.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Cam Talbot (.902 save percentage and 3.10 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 26.2 saves per game and has 20 wins, 22 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Connor McDavid (22 goals, 42 assists) has been one of the top offensive playmakers for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in four of San Jose’s last five games.
- This game features two clubs that shoot the puck early and often. Edmonton has attempted the leagues sixth-most shots on goal (34.0) while San Jose has attempted the ninth-most (32.8). The Oilers have averaged 28.4 shot attempts over their last five home games and the Sharks have taken 35.8 shots over their last five home outings.
- The Sharks are 9-10 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Oilers are 9-17 SU in games where they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- San Jose is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 2-1 in shootouts.
- One of the best at pressuring their opponents, San Jose is ranked 5th in the NHL this season with 9.3 takeaways per game. That figures trended down, however, as the team has managed 7.8 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Edmonton skaters have averaged 5.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.0 takeaways per game (ranked 12th overall).
