Two teams that split their season series (one win apiece) last year, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks face off at the SAP Center for an East-West showdown. The match will get started at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1, and fans at home can watch the game live on NBC Sports California.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
,With a moneyline of -175, San Jose heads into the contest as the heavy favorite. The line for Columbus sits at +155 and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Losing -4.2 units for moneyline bettors, San Jose is 6-6 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 45-37 record that the team posted during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of its 12 games this season, seven have gone over the total, while five have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 2-2 SU at home so far this year.
The Sharks have converted on 22.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 86.7 percent of all penalties.
The Sharks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.4 times per game this season, a number that’s regressed some from last year’s 3.4 penalties per game the team gave up. After serving an average of 8.3 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s been forced to kill penalties for 10.6 minutes per matchup this year.
Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .902 save percentage, Martin Jones (five wins, four losses, and one OT loss) has been the top goalkeeper for the Sharks this year. If head coach Peter Deboer decides to rest him, however, San Jose might turn to Aaron Dell (1-2-2 record, .921 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
Brent Burns and Timo Meier will each lead the way for the Sharks. Burns (15 points) has tallied three goals and 12 assists and has recorded two or more points on four different occasions this year. Meier has nine goals and five assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in nine contests.
On the other bench, Columbus is 6-5 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of seven of its outings have gone over the total, while four have gone under the total and none have pushed. As an away team so far, the Blue Jackets are 3-1 SU.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 13.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Columbus’ players have been penalized only 3.5 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.1, which was the lowest mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has been forced to kill penalties for 7.3 minutes per matchup this season.
Sergei Bobrovsky (.882 save percentage and 3.58 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Columbus. Bobrovsky is averaging 25.6 saves per game and owns a 2-5 record.
For the visiting Blue Jackets, the offense will run through Artemi Panarin, who has 10 assists and five goals this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
,Prediction: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Over
