The Anaheim Ducks (2-6-1) and their stifling penalty killing defense head to face the San Jose Sharks (3-8-0), one of the NHL’s weakest power play offenses, at SAP Center at San Jose on Tuesday. Anaheim is playing their first of four games on the road coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Sunday, breaking a seven-game losing streak.
The Ducks conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Trevor Zegras led the Ducks with two goals. John Gibson had 33 saves in the win.San Jose fell 4-3 to the Lightning on Saturday. Erik Karlsson was the leading goal scorer for the Sharks, netting twice. James Reimer saved only 22 of 26 shots against (.846%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Ducks won three of the four games between the teams last season, including a 5-2 victory in their final meeting in April. Sonny Milano and Max Comtois each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Anaheim. Brent Burns and Scott Reedy were on the scoresheet for San Jose. Anthony Stolarz got the win, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939%).
FACING OFF
Anaheim is averaging 2.22 goals per game so far this season, 31st in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sharks team that is allowing 3.09 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, San Jose has found the net a league-worst 2.18 times a game on average and will be looking to exploit the Ducks’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 4.22 goals per game (30th).
Both teams average fewer shots/game than most teams in the league. San Jose’s 27.3 average ranks 29th, while Anaheim ranks No. 30 with 27.1 shots. When it comes to shot-stopping, the Sharks have been more successful, stopping .902% of shots as a team (20th), while the Ducks have a team save percentage of .889% (25th).
The Ducks’ 31st-ranked power play offense (7.69%) will face a tough test against the Sharks, who are the league’s third-best penalty killing team (93.75%). San Jose, meanwhile, has scored on 15.15% of their power play opportunities (25th), which the home team will be aiming to build on against Anaheim’s 31st-ranked 63.64% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 10 points this season, Troy Terry is the top skater for the Ducks. He has four goals and six assists in nine games. In the net, Stolarz (0-1-0) is Anaheim’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.59 GAA and a .892% save percentage.
Gibson (2-5-1) leads the Ducks in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 4.23 and a save percentage of .888%.Karlsson leads the Sharks in scoring with 11 points. He has six goals (8th) and five assists. Reimer (2-5-0) has the best goals against average for San Jose at 2.77. He has a save percentage of .914%.
HOME AND AWAY
Anaheim is looking for a first win on the road this season. San Jose is 1-5-0 at SAP Center at San Jose this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
San Jose Sharks (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
