One of the very real rivalries in the NHL is between the Sharks and Kings and we’ll get to write another chapter in their series tonight when San Jose and the beards head to LA for a game at the Staples Center. SJ beat the Kings in five games in last year’s playoffs but the two split the four games they played in the first half of the season.
The Pacific Division is a mess right now and the Sharks just haven’t figured out how to get it done with regularity. On a points per game basis, they are just behind the Ducks and you need not look any further than at their struggling offense to figure out why they aren’t in first place in the division. It’s never a great sign when a defenseman leads your team in points so it’s up to guys like Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski to step up. They’ve called up Timo Meier in an attempt to jump-start their goal-scoring but going up against a team that allows the fewest five-on-five shots per 60 minutes tonight may make that a tough ask.
San Jose has a pretty inefficient power play, scoring at just a 16.5 percent rate, and the Kings are one of the most disciplined five-on-five teams in the league. With the Sharks’ tendency to go UNDER, it’s tough to see this game breaching five goals.
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Los Angeles Kings bring a 22-18-4 record to the battle against the 26-16-2 Sharks. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Los Angeles go 14-22-8 so far and the Sharks go 10-21-13. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Los Angeles vs San Jose injuries news.
The Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings have the Los Angeles Kings at No. 9 and the San Jose Sharks at No. 17 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Los Angeles Kings No. 23-ranked offense (2.52 goals per game) against a San Jose Sharks defense that ranks No. 4 at 2.32 goals per game allowed. The Kings Sportsbook has clicked at a 16.92% rate while the Sharks have a 82.76% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for San Jose, they were a 5-2 Sportsbook as they battled the Jets at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Sharks at -180 were rewarded, while the 7 combined goals moved the game OVER for totals bettors.
In their last action, Los Angeles was a 2-1 loser at home against the Lightning. Bettors on Tampa Bay at +112 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (3) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
Next Betting Matchups
San Jose home to Tampa Bay, Thursday, January 19th
Los Angeles at New York, Saturday, January 21st