In a game that features two teams that have put themselves firmly in playoff contention, the San Jose Sharks and the Winnipeg Jets clash at Bell MTS Place in a Western Conference showdown. The opening face-off is at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 7, and you will be able to view it live on NBC Sports California.
San Jose Sharks vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg (-135) is currently favored over San Jose (+115) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Winnipeg is 24-18 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.3 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Central Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from last years regular season campaign. Of the teams 42 games this season, 22 have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 15-4 SU at home this year.
The Jets currently have the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve scored on 25.0 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 12th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Jets have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five games. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Boasting a .922 save percentage and 27.4 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (22-12-6) has been the best option in goal for the Jets this season. If the Jets, however, decide to give him a breather, head coach Paul Maurice may turn to Steve Mason (2-8-8 record, .899 save percentage, 3.47 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will each spearhead the attack for the Jets. Wheeler (49 points) has tallied 14 goals and 35 assists and has recorded two or more points on 13 separate occasions this year. Scheifele has 15 goals and 23 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 21 contests.
Over on the other bench, San Jose is 21-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 25 of its contests have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the road team so far, the Sharks are 9-10 SU.
The Sharks have scored on 22.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (25.7 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for San Jose. Jones owns a 13-14-5 record, and has registered a .914 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Sharks, the offense will be coordinated by Brent Burns (seven goals, 22 assists) and Logan Couture (15 goals, 14 assists).
San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of San Jose’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in three of San Jose’s last five outings.
- San Jose has managed 30.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Winnipeg is averaging 35.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Six of Winnipeg’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 4-2 overall in those games.