The San Jose Sharks (14-23-9), one of the NHL’s weakest power play offenses, are on the road to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-30-2) and their suffocating penalty killing defense at Nationwide Arena on Saturday.
San Jose is kicking off an eight-game road trip coming off a high-scoring 5-3 win over the Stars on Wednesday, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Sharks took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on three shots while holding Dallas without a power play goal.
Five players found the net for the Sharks. Erik Karlsson scored and provided three assists to lead the team in scoring. James Reimer had 33 saves in the win.
Columbus dropped their third straight game, falling 5-3 to the Ducks on Thursday. Jack Roslovic, Mathieu Olivier, and Nick Blankenburg each scored once for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins saved only 28 of 33 shots against (.848%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-2 victory for the Sharks in April. Scott Reedy led San Jose with two goals. Roslovic led Columbus with two goals. Kaapo Kahkonen got the win, saving 22 of 24 shots (.916%).
FACING OFF
San Jose is averaging 3.07 goals per game for the season, 22nd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.91 goals a game (30th).
Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.51 times a game on average, 30th in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Sharks’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.70 goals per game (29th).
Columbus averages fewer shots per game (28.9) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 8.8% shooting percentage is 31st. San Jose has had difficulty stopping shots, ranking No. 30 with a team save percentage of .887%.
The Blue Jackets’ 32nd-ranked power play offense (14.53%) will face a tough test against the Sharks, who are the league’s third-best penalty killing team (84.21%).
San Jose, meanwhile, has scored on 20.61% of their power play opportunities (20th), which the visitors will be seeking to improve on against Columbus’ 18th-ranked 77.18% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 62 points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Karlsson is the top skater for the Sharks. He leads the league with 47 assists and has added 15 goals of his own. In the net, Reimer (8-13-4) is San Jose’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 3.23 GAA and a .897% save percentage. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 42 points. He has 12 goals and 30 assists. Joonas Korpisalo (6-8-1) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.28. He has a save percentage of .908%.
Merzlikins (5-12-0) has played the most games in net for the Blue Jackets this season. He has a 4.44 GAA and a .869% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
San Jose is 9-11-2 away from home this season. Columbus is seeking to end a three-game home losing streak this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (+115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
