Two teams that split their season series one win apiece last year, the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks clash at the SAP Center for an East-West tilt. The action gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, and it is being televised live on Sportsnet.
Ottawa Senators vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose (-170) is currently favored over Ottawa (+150), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-130 money on the under, +110 on the over).
The Sharks are 15-12 straight up (SU) and have lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during the 2016-17 season (46-36). Of the teams 27 games this season, seven have gone under the total, while seven have gone over and just one has pushed. The teams 8-7 SU at home this season.
San Jose has converted on 18.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 86.8 percent of all penalties.
As a team, San Jose has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five contests at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 4.8 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
With a .919 save percentage and 25.5 saves per game, Martin Jones (11-9-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Sharks this season. If head coach Peter Deboer decides to rest him, however, the Sharks could go with Aaron Dell (4-6-6 record, .933 save percentage, 1.93 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton will both lead the offensive attack for the Sharks. Couture (22 points) has tallied 14 goals and eight assists and has recorded two or more points in six different games this year. Thornton has five goals and 14 assists to his name and has notched a point in 14 games.
On the other bench, Ottawa is 9-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 15 of its matches have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and none have pushed. As an away team, Ottawa is 5-8 SU so far.
Ottawa has converted on just 16.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (3.01 goals against average and .895 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 23.5 saves per game and owns an 8-13-3 record.
Mark Stone (14 goals, 11 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators at San Jose Sharks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Ottawa (1-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. San Jose has only participated in a couple of shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- Ottawa has managed 30.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 36.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Over Ottawa’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-5 in those games).
- Ottawa skaters have accounted for the leagues 10th-most hits per game (22.5).
