Free NHL Picks Today: Chicago Blackhawks vs San Jose Sharks 1/1/23

Both teams will be looking to end losing runs when the San Jose Sharks (-125) are on the road to face the Chicago Blackhawks (+105) at United Center on Sunday. The total is 6 (O: -120, U: +100)Both teams will be playing the second of a back-to-back. The Sharks are 2-5 without a day off, while the Blackhawks are 0-5.

San Jose (11-20-7) is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Stars yesterday, their third defeat in a row. The Sharks conceded two power play goals while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Alexander Barabanov and Oskar Lindblom both scored once for the Sharks.

James Reimer only had 26 saves on 30 shots against (.866%) in the loss. Chicago (8-23-4) is playing the first of seven games at home after a 4-1 loss against the Blue Jackets yesterday, their third consecutive defeat. Andreas Athanasiou was the only player to score for the Blackhawks. Alex Stalock had 34 saves in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Blackhawks won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-2 victory in October. Sam Lafferty (2G 1A) and Jason Dickinson (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Chicago. Erik Karlsson led San Jose with two points (1G 1A). Petr Mrazek got the win, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923%).

FACING OFF

San Jose is averaging 3.00 goals per game for the season, 23rd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 3.71 goals a game (28th). Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net 2.20 times a game on average, 32nd in the league, and the Sharks are allowing opponents to score 3.68 goals per game (27th).

Chicago averages fewer shots a game (26.5) than any other team in the league, while the team’s 8.3% shooting percentage is 31st. San Jose has struggled with stopping shots, ranking No. 29 with a team save percentage of .888%.

The Sharks’ 22.22% power play percentage ranks 15th in the league, while the Blackhawks are 19th with a conversion rate of 20.54%. San Jose has been equally impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 83.64%. Chicago ranks 27th at 72.48%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 51 points this season, sixth-most in the NHL, Karlsson is the top skater for the Sharks. He is among the league leaders with 38 assists (3rd) and has added 13 goals of his own. In the net, Reimer (7-10-3) is San Jose’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.14 GAA and a .898% save percentage.

Patrick Kane and Max Domi lead the Blackhawks in scoring with 26 and 24 points, respectively. Kane has six goals and 20 assists, while Domi has 11 goals and 13 assists. Arvid Soderblom (2-10-2) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 3.45. He has a save percentage of .894%.