A pair of teams currently on losing skids, the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks face off at the SAP Center. This Western Conference matchup will get going at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8, and it can be caught live on NBC Sports Network.
Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks Odds
Colorado (-160) is currently the favorite over San Jose (+140) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
Colorado is 40-27 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 67 regular season matches, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just two have pushed. This 2019-20 Avalanche team is 23-12 SU on the road.
Colorado has converted on 18.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of its penalties.
The Avs, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game in the 2019-20 season, 4.0 per game over its past five total, and 3.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.1 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Philipp Grubauer (19-17-4) has been the top option in goal for Colorado this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, Colorado may turn to Pavel Francouz (20-11-4), who has a .924 save percentage and 2.39 goals against average this year.
Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Avalanche. MacKinnon (90 points) is up to 34 goals and 56 assists, and has recorded two or more points 27 times. Makar has 12 goals and 35 assists to his creditand has notched at least one point in 34 games.
Over on the other bench, San Jose is 29-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. 37 of its outings have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 17-18 SU as the home team this season.
The Sharks have converted on just 16.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 86.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Sharks players have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (25.0 saves per game) has been the top choice in the crease for the Sharks. Jones has 17 wins, 23 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has recorded a poor .898 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
The Sharks offense will be led by Timo Meier (21 goals, 24 assists) and Brent Burns (12 goals, 33 assists).
Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Sharks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Colorado is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while San Jose is 2-1 in shootouts.
Three of San Jose’s last five games gone under the total.
Colorado has managed 30.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while San Jose is averaging 34.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
The Sharks this season have registered the 11th-most hits per game in the NHL (22.3), but that average has jumped up to 25.8 over their past five home outings.
