A pair of teams that’ve positioned themselves squarely in playoff contention, the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche take the ice at the Pepsi Center for a Western Conference showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 18, and it can be viewed live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
With a moneyline of -115, San Jose heads into the game as the slight favorite. The line for Colorado sits at -105 and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Colorado is 24-19 straight up (SU) and has netted 9.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is a remarkable improvement over the 22-60 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 43 games this season, 24 have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 16-8 SU at home this season.
The Avalanche have converted on 20.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.4 percent of all penalties.
The Avalanche, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, 4.4 per game over their last five games total, and 4.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.4 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
With a .912 save percentage and 28.5 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (14-12-2) has been the best option in goal for the Avs this year. If Colorado decides to give him a rest, however, the team could roll with Jonathan Bernier (11-8-8 record, .915 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
The Avs will continue relying on leadership from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. MacKinnon (54 points) has produced 20 goals and 34 assists and has recorded multiple points in 16 different games this year. Rantanen has 15 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 27 games.
On the other side of the ice, San Jose is 24-19 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.3 units this season. Through 43 regular season matches, 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team, the Sharks are 11-11 SU so far.
The Sharks have scored on 23.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked second overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.6 percent of all penalties.
San Jose’s players have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five games. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (2.59 goals against average and .913 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 25.3 saves per game and has 15 wins, 15 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Sharks, the offense will be coordinated by Brent Burns (seven goals, 27 assists) and Joe Thornton (11 goals, 21 assists).
San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Seven of Colorado’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 6-1 overall in those games.
San Jose has scored 2.9 goals per game overall this year, but is scoring 4.3 per contest over their three-game winning streak.
Penalties and power plays could prove to be extremely important tonight. The Sharks are 8-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 14-14 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Avalanche are 13-6 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 14-12 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Three of San Jose’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 3-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in four of Colorado’s last five games.
Colorado has allowed 2.9 goals per game overall this year, but has given up only 1.4 per contest over its seven-game winning streak.
Colorado skaters have averaged 5.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 6.2 giveaways per game (ranked 5th overall).
San Jose is ranked 29th this season with 12.8 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as it’s averaged 9.9 giveaways over its last 10 games and 9.4 giveaways over its last five.
