Two squads that are squarely in playoff contention, the San Jose Sharks and the Pittsburgh Penguins clash at PPG Paints Arena for a West-versus-East showdown. The action will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 30, and you will be able to view the game live on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.
San Jose Sharks at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
San Jose (+160) is entering this one as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-180) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Pittsburgh is 27-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is a slide from what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (50-32). Of its 51 games this season, 25 have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 17-8 SU at home this season.
The Penguins enter the matchup with the best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has scored on 27.1 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
The Penguins, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, 4.2 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.2 per game over their last five home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .903 save percentage, Matt Murray (17-14-1) has been the best option in goal for Pittsburgh this year. If head coach Mike Sullivan chooses to give him a breather, however, the team could go with Tristan Jarry (10-8-8 record, .919 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).
Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Penguins. Kessel (58 points) has tallied 21 goals and 37 assists and has recorded multiple points on 14 different occasions this year. Crosby has 17 goals and 38 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 32 games.
On the other side of the ice, San Jose is 26-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 29 of its matches have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team so far, the Sharks are 12-12 SU.
The Sharks have scored on 22.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five road outings. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (.910 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 25.0 saves per game and owns a 15-16-5 record.
Brent Burns (seven goals, 34 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Sharks.
San Jose Sharks at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- San Jose is 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Pittsburgh is 2-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in three of Pittsburgh’s last five games.
- San Jose has managed 32.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh has been attempting 38.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Eight of Pittsburgh’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 6-2 overall in those games.
- The Penguins this season have tallied the sixth-most hits per game (24.3), but the teams averaged 30.6 over their last five home games.
