Coming into tonight’s matchup with four wins each in the series Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks collide at the Pepsi Center in Game 6 of the NHL’s Western Conference Semifinals. The opening face-off is at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, May 6, and fans at home are able to witness the game live on NBC Sports Network.
San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
The Avalanche (-120) are being tabbed as the favorites over the Sharks (+100), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -125 over, +105 under.
San Jose is 53-41 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 94 regular season matches, 53 of its games have gone over the total, while 37 have gone under and just four have pushed. As the road team this season, the Sharks are 23-23 SU.
Following a regular season where they scored on 23.2 percent of all power-play opportunities (the sixth-strongest), the Sharks have been able to score on 20.4 percent of their power plays in the postseason. Their penalty kill has gone from 80.4 percent in the regular season to 78.3 percent in the playoffs.
The Sharks’ offensive skaters attempted 33.0 shots per game in the regular season, leading to 3.5 goals per outing (ranked second overall in the NHL). In the postseason, the team’s attempting an average of 32.9 shots on goal 3.1 goals per game.
Averaging 24.8 saves per game with a .899 save percentage, Martin Jones (44-30-5) has been the top option in goal for San Jose this year. If San Jose decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to Aaron Dell (11-16-4 record, .884 save percentage, 3.19 goals against average).
Colorado is 44-48 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. 46 of its games have gone under the total, while 43 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 24-21 SU as the home team this season.
The Avalanche have converted on 21.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Semyon Varlamov (27.8 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for the Avalanche. Varlamov has 20 wins, 29 losses, and nine OT losses to his credit and has maintained a subpar .909 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average this year.
San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- San Jose has managed 29.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Colorado has been attempting 40.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- San Jose skaters recorded 18.4 hits per game last season, while the Avalanche forced 20.4 hits per contest.
