A game between two teams riding winning streaks, the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks take the ice at the SAP Center. This cross-continent matchup will get going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, and it can be seen live on CBC Sports.
Ottawa Senators vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Ottawa (+260) is currently the underdog to San Jose (-315), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-120 money on the over, +100 on the under).
Losing 4.8 units for moneyline bettors, the Sharks are 26-20 straight up (SU) overall in the 2018-19 season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Pacific Division so far this season, is right in line with what the team posted during last year’s regular season (45-37). Through 46 regular season matches, 27 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 15-8 SU at home this season.
San Jose has converted on 25.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
As a team, San Jose has been whistled for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its past five outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 8.3 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 24.8 saves per game with a .901 save percentage, Martin Jones (21-12-4) has been the most dependable option in goal for the Sharks this year. If they, however, decide to rest him, head coach Peter Deboer may roll with Aaron Dell (7-8-8 record, .891 save percentage, 3.02 goals against average).
The Sharks will continue relying on offensive production from Brent Burns and Logan Couture. Burns (50 points) has put up eight goals and 42 assists and has recorded two or more points 14 times this year. Couture has 16 goals and 26 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 28 games.
Ottawa has lost 1.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 17-28 straight up (SU). A total of 29 of its outings have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. Ottawa’s 6-15 SU as the away team this season.
Ottawa has converted on 21.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.8 percent of all penalties.
Ottawa’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Craig Anderson (.905 save percentage and 3.58 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 32.0 saves per game and has 14 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive firepower for the visiting Senators will be Mark Stone (20 goals, 28 assists) and Matt Duchene (18 goals, 24 assists).
Ottawa Senators at San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their last five matchups.
- Ottawa has managed 27.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 35.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Power plays and penalty kills could have a key role in this matchup. The Senators are 9-11 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 13-16 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Sharks are 13-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 20-13 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- One of the best at creating pressure on opposing offenses, San Jose is ranked 5th in the league with 8.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it has forced 11.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Ottawa has averaged 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.2 takeaways per game (ranked 18th in the NHL).
