This potential Stanley Cup final preview between the 44-14-7 Capitals and the 39-19-7 Sharks in San Jose features two teams who are making jokes out of their respective divisions. Washington has had a lot of trouble with the Sharks of late, however, and with a 3-0 shutout loss in the home half of their season series, the Capitals and the red-hot Braden Holtby will have more than enough motivation for this one.
Speaking of Holtby, he’s gone 19-1-1 with five shutouts since the beginning of 2017 and has a 1.61 goals-against average this month – not too shabby. That said, the 27-year-old Vezina Sportsbook’s team has been giving him a lot of help, limiting the shots he and Philipp Grubauer have faced to just 26.5 per game since the all-star break.
Defensive responsibility is something both these teams have in common as the Sharks have allowed opposing teams this season to get an average of just 25.4 shots per game on their home ice. Although their goalies haven’t been as good as Washington’s, Martin Jones and Aaron Dell have allowed just five combined goals in three total starts this month.
The total opened at 5 tonight but that doesn’t scare me away from the UNDER. San Jose is the best UNDER team in the league with an O/U record of 6-18-7 at home and with neither team giving up many goals, I like this one to end something like 2-1, 2-0.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The San Jose Sharks were listed earlier today as 104 moneyline underdogs at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while odds makers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.
Odds Shark score prediction models pick a 2.7-2.5 result in favor of the Capitals today. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Washington Capitals vs San Jose Sharks Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The San Jose Sharks bring a 39-19-7 record to the battle against the 44-14-7 Capitals. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen San Jose go 15-31-19 so far and the Capitals go 27-24-14. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and San Jose vs Washington injuries news.
It's an NHL hockey betting matchup between the No. 8-rated San Jose Sharks and the No. 1-ranked Washington Capitals, according to the latest NHL power poll here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits San Jose's No. 14-ranked offense, averaging 2.77 goals per game, against a Capitals defense that ranks No. 1 at 2.14 goals allowed. The Sharks power play is averaging 16.16% while the Capitals defense kills off 85% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Washington was a 4-2 loser in its last match at home against the Stars. They lost as favorites, while the total score of 6 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
San Jose was a 3-2 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Jets. They won as -110 underdogs, while the total score of 5 made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors.
Next Betting Matchups
Washington at Los Angeles, Saturday, March 11th
San Jose home to Nashville, Saturday, March 11th