The most recent stretch of the NHL schedule has been difficult on the San Jose Sharks. Anyone looking at Sharks vs. Golden Knights odds, we’ll see that San Jose’s primary struggle has come on defense. The Sharks will need to be sharper in order to get a win in Sin City Thursday night.
For the Golden Knights, this is another chance to pick up points at home. The NHL standings show Vegas has been on a roll. The Golden Knights have won three straight games, scoring five or more goals in every contest.
When it comes to the Vegas Golden Knights schedule, this is a spot where they won’t want to leave the arena without a win. San Jose is trying to bounce back from a home loss to Pittsburgh.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds
NHL odds show that Vegas is a -200 favorite. The Sharks are +165 on the moneyline. Anyone looking at Sharks vs. Golden Knights odds will see the total is set at 6.5.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Matchup Information
San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights
Location of the Game: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV.
Date and Time: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, 10:00 PM ET.
How to Watch: ESPN+
San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
Sharks need someone, anyone, to play in net
Few NHL teams have had struggles with goaltenders like the Sharks have this season. Over the past ten games, NHL player stats show San Jose has had three different goaltenders make starts. Kaapo Kahkonen has been the most frequent starter, getting between the pipes for five of those 20 games.
NHL player stats show Kahkoken has had a rough go of things, turning in the third-worst save percentage in the league at .880. Sharks vs Golden Knights odds show San Jose ranks 29th in the league by allowing 3.7 goals per game.
Meanwhile, the Sharks’ offense has had a hard time getting shots on net. San Jose averages 29.5 shots per game, which ranks 26th in the league. One place where the Sharks have shined is on the penalty kill. San Jose has the league’s fourth-best penalty kill, stopping opponents from scoring 82.8 percent of the time.
NHL expert picks show San Jose has allowed three or more goals and nine of the past ten games. The Sharks have seen the under go 4-5-1 during their past ten games.
Vegas finds scoring touch
The Golden Knights haven’t been hit too hard on the NHL injury report. When it comes to Vegas’s offense, the Golden Knights have been playing well over the past three games, including two against the playoff-level competition in the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators.
Continuing that momentum will be important for the Golden Knights, who are hoping to keep climbing the NHL standings. What has been helping Vegas’s offense get going is how well the Golden Knights have done on the face-off. The Golden Knights are fifth in the league by winning 52.4 percent of their face-offs.
Vegas is also 10th in the league in getting shots on net. The Golden Knights average 32.5 per game. Vegas has seen the under go 6-3-1 over its past ten games. The Golden Knights have a one-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Picks
When it comes to NHL games, whichever team has better goaltending tends to be in a better position to win. The Sharks still haven’t figured out a way to be consistent in that and will be in a position to face a playoff contender on the road. Vegas will continue its offensive hot streak and grab a victory.
Making NHL picks on the over-under is always difficult because any goalie can have a strong night at any time. Despite the shark’s struggle in that, San Jose is capable of playing stretches of a strong defense. The Golden Knights will also lock down San Jose and keep this game under the total.
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