In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks clash at the Honda Center in a Pacific Division showdown. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 28, and fans at home will be able to view it live on NBC Sports California.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks Odds
Anaheim (+115) is entering this one as the underdog to San Jose (-135), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -125 under, +105 over.
Anaheim is 5-6 straight up (SU) and has recorded -1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 44-38 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of the team’s 11 games this season, four have gone under the total, while four have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 2-2 SU at home this season.
The Ducks have converted on 17.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.9 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Ducks have been penalized 4.2 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.3, the third-worst figure in the league. After serving an average of 10.2 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has had to kill penalties for 9.2 minutes per matchup this year.
Averaging 35.0 saves per game with a .940 save percentage, John Gibson (four wins, five losses, and one OT loss) has been the primary goalkeeper for Anaheim this season. If head coach Randy Carlyle decides to give him the night off, however, Anaheim could turn to Ryan Miller (1-2-2 record, .938 save percentage, 2.17 goals against average).
Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell will each lead the offensive attack for the Ducks. Lindholm (seven points) has tallied two goals and five assists and has recorded two or more points in two different games this year. Rakell has two goals and five assists to his credit and has notched a point in four games.
On the other hand, San Jose is 5-5 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 10 regular season outings, five of its games have gone over the total, while another five have gone under the total and none have pushed. The Sharks are 3-4 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Sharks have converted on 24.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully defended 85.0 percent of all penalties.
San Jose’s skaters have been penalized 4.7 times per game this season, a number that has risen noticeably from the 3.4 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 8.3 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for a whopping 11.5 minutes per outing this year.
Martin Jones (23.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones has four wins and three losses to his credit, and has registered a .899 save percentage and 2.60 goals against average this year.
Brent Burns (two goals, 10 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Sharks.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Ducks, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Ducks are 3-3 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Sharks are 2-1 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
The under has hit in three of Anaheim’s last five games.
Anaheim has allowed 2.7 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing 3.8 goals per matchup on its four-game losing streak.
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