Sharks Are 1-2 While Hanging Around Northeastern Waters

The New Jersey Devils welcome the San Jose Sharks this afternoon as the Sharks wrap up a five-game road swing that included four stops in the northeast vs the Islanders, Flyers, and Rangers. The Devils are playing just their third game of the season due to Sportsbook in Europe vs the Oilers and the accompanying travel.

Sharks vs Devils Game Center

Devils Shouldn’t Surprise Anyone This Year

After a turnaround season and a return to the playoffs a year ago, the New Jersey Devils have won their first two games in 2018-2019 and shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone anymore.

The Devils should be considered a legitimate team in the East and will get a chance to prove that once more against a road-weary San Jose Club.

Kyle Palmieri has done the bulk of the damage early on, with four goals in his first two games. The seemingly ageless Travis Zajac has two goals in his first two games of his 13^th NHL season and will play his 845th regular season game today.

San Jose has Owned New Jersey

The Sharks have won nine of the last 11 meetings with New Jersey including five-straight at Prudential Center. New Jersey has scored only three total goals in the last four meetings between these teams while the OVER has only hit once in the last five meetings.

The Sharks are playing without Joe Thornton, back home in San Jose with an injury, while Erik Karlsson, one of the top defensemen in the league, is questionable for the game with an illness after missing practice on Saturday.

My Pick for this Game

I’m taking the Devils on the moneyline at even money in this game. The Sharks are at the end of a lengthy road trip while the Devils have been in New Jersey since returning from Europe.

New Jersey thumped Washington 6-0 in their only North American regular season game to date and Taylor Hall and Nico Hischier haven’t even got going yet. Keith Kincaid has a career .922 save percentage vs the Sharks.