Free NHL Picks Today: Arizona Coyotes vs San Jose Sharks 4/1/23

The San Jose Sharks (-115) are on the road to face the Arizona Coyotes (-105), who will be hoping to snap their losing streak, at Mullett Arena on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)San Jose (21-39-15) is coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Golden Knights on Thursday.

The Sharks conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Four players found the net for the Sharks. Mario Ferraro scored and provided an assist to share the scoring lead with Henry Thrun, who had two assists.

James Reimer only saved 23 of 26 shots (.884%) in the win.Arizona (27-36-13) is playing their last of four games at home with the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 5-2 loss against the Stars yesterday, their sixth straight defeat.

Juuso Valimaki and Connor Mackey both scored once for the Coyotes. Travis Boyd had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Karel Vejmelka saved only 26 of 30 shots against (.866%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Sharks have won both games between the teams this season, including a 4-2 victory in their most recent meeting in January. Kevin Labanc led San Jose with two points (1G 1A). Shayne Gostisbehere and Jakob Chychrun each had two points (0G 2A) to lead Arizona. Kaapo Kahkonen got the win, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931%).

FACING OFF

San Jose is averaging 2.87 goals per game for the season, 25th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Coyotes team that is allowing 3.46 goals a game (24th).

Meanwhile, Arizona has found the net 2.76 times a game on average, 27th in the league, and the Sharks are allowing opponents to score 3.77 goals per game (30th).

Arizona averages fewer shots (25.6) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 11.0% shooting percentage ranks seventh. San Jose has had difficulty stopping shots, ranking No. 30 with a team save percentage of .889%.

Power play opportunities ought to be plentiful for the Sharks, as the Coyotes have been penalized 4.46 times a game, third-most in the NHL, for an average of 10.84 minutes (seventh-highest). The visitors are averaging 3.60 penalties (19th) and 8.55 penalty minutes a game (15th).

The Coyotes’ 19.46% power play percentage ranks 22nd in the league, while the Sharks are 27th with a conversion rate of 17.33%. San Jose has been equally strong at penalty killing, boasting the league’s third-highest PK% at 83.55%. Arizona ranks 24th at 75.43%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 91 points this season, Erik Karlsson is the top skater for the Sharks. He is among the league leaders with 69 assists (4th) and has added 22 goals of his own. In the net, Reimer (12-18-8) is San Jose’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.30 GAA and a .895% save percentage.

Clayton Keller leads the Coyotes in scoring with 82 points. He has 36 goals and 46 assists. Connor Ingram (6-13-8) has the best goals against average for Arizona at 3.36. He has a save percentage of .907%. Vejmelka (18-23-5) has played the most games in net for the Coyotes this season. He has a 3.38 GAA and a .901% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

San Jose has dropped five straight on the road this season. Arizona is looking to avoid a fourth consecutive loss at home this season. Meanwhile, the Coyotes are 3-8 without a day off and 0-7 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Sharks are 3-3 with a rest advantage.