The Pittsburgh Penguins continue their West Coast road trip tonight when they face-off vs the San Jose Sharks. The Penguins have gotten mixed results recently on the road at 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS and try to end this road trip with a victory before starting a four-game homestand. The Sharks have won four straight games at home and opened as slight favorites vs the defending Stanley Cup champions.
San Jose just wrapped up a quick three-game road trip of their own and went 2-1 SU. The Sharks have 53 points in the standings and are fifth in the Western Conference. One of the main reasons for their success this season has been their defensive play as they rank seventh in goals allowed per game at 2.66. And in January, San Jose’s offensive skills have kicked into high gear as its averaged 3.38 goals per game, which is good for seventh in the NHL in that span.
The Penguins are a hard team to get a grasp on. One night they’re pumping goals on a stellar defensive team like the Kings and the next night they’re dropping a 2-1 loss to a lottery team like Carolina. Scoring has never been an issue for Pittsburgh with talents like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel but its defensive efforts (ranked 21st in goals allowed per game) is frustrating for bettors expecting to cash in on games involving the back-to-back champs.
The good news for Penguins backers is Pittsburgh has been quite successful vs the Sharks recently as its gone 7-3 SU in the last 10 games in this matchup including having won three straight with a goal differential of 11-3 in those contests.
The total opened at 5.5 and UNDER bettors have been the beneficiary when these two teams collide. The UNDER has hit in seven of the last 10 games in this matchup and in four of the last six road games for Pittsburgh.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
NHL Hockey odds makers at Sportsbook had the San Jose Sharks as -120 moneyline favorites in this betting matchup. Those over under betting saw the line open at 5.5 at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Penguins to win this game 4-1.7. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs San Jose Sharks Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The San Jose Sharks currently sport a record of 24-14-6. The Pittsburgh Penguins are 25-20-3. Betting totals have seen the Sharks post a 15-28-1 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Penguins have gone 24-22-2 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and San Jose vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the San Jose Sharks rated this week at No. 6 and the Pittsburgh Penguins sitting at No. 4.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits San Jose's No. 20-ranked offense, averaging 2.86 goals per game, against a Penguins defense that ranks No. 21 at 3.06 goals allowed. The Sharks power play is averaging 22.08% while the Penguins defense kills off 83.03% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Pittsburgh was a 3-1 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Kings. They won as +126 underdogs, while the total score of 4 made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors.
The Sharks were a 5-3 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Avalanche. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Colorado at -104 on the moneyline, while the total score (8) was good news for OVER bettors.
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh home to Carolina, Tuesday, January 23rd
San Jose at Anaheim, Sunday, January 21st