The SAP Center will be hosting an enticing matchup as the Anaheim Ducks travel to San Jose to face the Sharks. The action gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 27, and you can catch this divisional matchup live on NBC Sports California.
Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks Odds
San Jose (-170) is currently the big favorite over Anaheim (+150), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -130 over, +110 under.
The Sharks are 19-19 straight up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (to the tune of -10.9 units) thus far. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a regression from the 45-37 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Through 38 regular season outings, 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team’s 11-8 SU at home.
San Jose has been able to convert on 23.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.5 percent of all penalties.
San Jose, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for just 5.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .899 save percentage and 24.6 saves per game, Martin Jones (15 wins, 12 losses, and four OT losses) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Sharks this season. If they choose to give him the night off, however, it could turn to Aaron Dell (5-7-7 record, .904 save percentage, 2.69 goals against average).
Logan Couture and Brent Burns will each spearhead the attack for the Sharks. Couture (36 points) is up to 13 goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points on 10 different occasions this year. Burns has four goals and 31 assists to his name and has notched a point in 24 games.
On the other hand, Anaheim is 19-19 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 3.7 units this season. A total of 23 of its contests have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just two have pushed. Anaheim’s 9-10 SU as the away team this season.
Anaheim has converted on just 14.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game this season, 4.4 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties 12.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
John Gibson (2.52 goals against average and .926 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 29.6 saves per game and has 16 wins, 15 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
Ryan Getzlaf (nine goals, 20 assists) has been one of the primary offensive playmakers for the visiting Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- Anaheim has managed 27.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 34.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- The Ducks are 14-10 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Sharks are 5-4 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- San Jose is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Anaheim is 3-2 in shootouts.
- San Jose is ranked 9th overall with 8.6 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended upward recently, as the team has created 10.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 11.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Anaheim has scored 2.5 goals per game this season, but has been averaging 0.7 goals per match up over its three-game losing skid.
- Anaheim is ranked 28th overall with 6.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as the team has forced 8.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Anaheim may hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s an impressive 13-6 in one-goal games, while San Jose is 7-10 in such games.
