The San Jose Sharks (9-16-5) host the Arizona Coyotes (9-13-4) at SAP Center at San Jose on Tuesday. Arizona is coming off a high-scoring 5-4 overtime win over the Flyers on Sunday. The Coyotes committed four penalties in the game, though they held Philadelphia without a power play goal. Clayton Keller led the Coyotes with a hat trick.
Karel Vejmelka allowed four goals on 41 shots against (.902%) in the win. San Jose beat the Ducks 6-1 on Friday. Six players found the net for the Sharks. Eetu Makiniemi saved 23 of 24 shots in the win (.958%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sharks won two of the three games between the teams last season, although the Coyotes were 5-2 victors in their final meeting in March. Four players had two points for Arizona. Scott Reedy and Brent Burns were on the scoresheet for San Jose. Vejmelka got the win, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951%).
FACING OFF
Arizona is averaging 2.77 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sharks team that is allowing 3.57 goals a game (25th). Meanwhile, San Jose has found the net 3.07 times a game on average, 20th in the league, and the Coyotes are allowing opponents to score 3.62 goals per game (27th).
Arizona averages fewer shots/game (23.5) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 11.8% shooting percentage ranks third. San Jose’s average of 30.0 attempts ranks 23rd. Expect a few power play opportunities for the Sharks, as the Coyotes are averaging 5.42 penalties per game, most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 12.58 penalty minutes a game ranks second-highest. The home team has been penalized 3.43 times a game (3rd-fewest in the league) for an average of 8.20 minutes (7th-fewest). The Sharks’ 21.79% power play percentage ranks 19th in the league, while the Coyotes are 20th with a conversion rate of 21.43%. San Jose has been more successful at penalty killing, boasting the league’s second-highest PK% at 84.88%. Arizona ranks 21st at 75.89%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 26 points this season, Keller is the top skater for the Coyotes. He has 10 goals and 16 assists in 26 games. In the net, Vejmelka (7-7-3) is Arizona’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.03 GAA and a .913% save percentage.
Erik Karlsson leads the Sharks in scoring with 37 points (9th in the league). He has 12 goals and 25 assists (7th) in 30 games. James Reimer (5-8-2) has the best goals against average for San Jose at 3.00. He has a save percentage of .903%.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is looking to end a six-game losing run away from Mullett Arena this season. San Jose is looking to avoid a fourth consecutive home loss this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
SJ Sharks (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
