Logan Couture, Erik Karlsson, and the San Jose Sharks will do battle against Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in a Pacific Division tilt. CBC Sports will air the game, and the action gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
The Canucks (-165) are being tabbed as the heavy favorites over the Sharks (+145), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Vancouver is 26-22 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 4.4 units this year. That winning percentage, the best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcomed improvement over the 35-47 record from the 2018-19 season campaign. Of the team’s 48 games this season, 24 have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 15-8 SU at home.
The Canucks have been able to convert on 23.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
With a .916 save percentage and 29.1 saves per game, Jacob Markstrom (18-16-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for Vancouver this season. If head coach Travis Green decides to give him a rest, however, the team may turn to Thatcher Demko (8-7-7 record, .903 save percentage, 3.20 goals against average).
San Jose has lost 10.3 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 21-28 straight up (SU). Through 49 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team , the Sharks are 8-16 SU.
The Sharks have converted on just 16.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 88.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Martin Jones (24.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones has 13 wins, 19 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .891 save percentage and 3.22 goals against average this year.
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
The Canucks are 3-1 in games decided by shootout. The Sharks are 2-1 in shootouts.
Over Vancouver’s last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-3 in those games).
San Jose skaters have accounted for the 12th-most hits in the league (22.4 per game).
