Free NHL Picks Today: Pittsburgh Penguins vs San Jose Sharks 1/28/23

Free NHL Picks Today: Pittsburgh Penguins vs San Jose Sharks 1/28/23
Sat 28th January 2023

The Pittsburgh Penguins (-255) host the San Jose Sharks (+205), who will be out to halt their losing streak, at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)San Jose (14-25-11) is playing on back-to-back days after suffering a high-scoring 5-4 overtime loss against the Hurricanes yesterday, their fourth consecutive defeat.

The Sharks committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Four players found the net for the Sharks. Michael Eyssimont scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring.

James Reimer saved only 31 of 36 shots against (.861%) in the loss. Pittsburgh (24-15-9) fell 3-2 (SO) to the Capitals on Thursday. Bryan Rust and Danton Heinen both scored once for the Penguins. Casey DeSmith had a great performance with 43 saves (.955%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Penguins won both games between the teams last season, including a 2-1 (OT) victory in their final meeting in January. Kris Letang and Jake Guentzel each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Pittsburgh. Rudolfs Balcers scored San Jose’s only goal. Louis Domingue got the win, saving 40 of 41 shots (.975%).

FACING OFF

San Jose is averaging 3.00 goals per game for the season, 22nd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 3.04 goals a game (16th).

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 3.25 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Sharks are allowing opponents to score 3.74 goals per game (29th).

The Penguins’ 22.02% power play percentage ranks 16th in the league, while the Sharks are 22nd with a conversion rate of 19.71%. San Jose has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 83.22%. Pittsburgh ranks 11th at 80.89%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 64 points this season, seventh-most in the NHL, Erik Karlsson is the top skater for the Sharks. He is among the league leaders with 49 assists (2nd) and has added 15 goals of his own.

In the net, Reimer (8-14-5) is San Jose’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.25 GAA and a .896% save percentage. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with 58 points.

He has 23 goals and 35 assists. Tristan Jarry (16-5-5) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.65. He has a save percentage of .921%.

HOME AND AWAY

San Jose is looking to end a five-game road losing streak this season. Pittsburgh has won three straight at home this season. Meanwhile, the Sharks are 3-8 without a day off and 1-7 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Penguins are 2-3 with a rest advantage.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

Pittsburgh Penguins (-250)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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