The San Jose Sharks (18-30-11) play host to the Chicago Blackhawks (20-32-5), who will be looking to extend their winning streak, at SAP Center at San Jose on Saturday. Chicago is coming off a 4-3 win over the Stars on Wednesday, their fourth consecutive win.
The Blackhawks took advantage of their limited power play opportunities, scoring once on two shots, while also conceding a power play goal. Max Domi and Patrick Kane both scored twice for the Blackhawks.
Jaxson Stauber had 29 saves in the win. San Jose fell 6-2 to the Predators on Thursday. Nico Sturm and Martin Kaut each scored once for the Sharks. James Reimer saved only 25 of 31 shots against (.806%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 5-2 victory for the Sharks in January. Erik Karlsson, Logan Couture, and Oskar Lindblom each had two points (0G 2A) to lead San Jose. Kane and Sam Lafferty were on the scoresheet for Chicago. Kaapo Kahkonen got the win, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909%).
FACING OFF
Chicago is averaging 2.49 goals per game for the season, 31st in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sharks team that is allowing 3.63 goals a game (27th). Meanwhile, San Jose has found the net 2.97 times a game on average, 22nd in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.58 goals per game (26th).
Chicago averages fewer shots a game (26.9) than any other team in the league, while the team’s 9.3% shooting percentage is 27th. San Jose has proven to be one of the league’s least successful shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 29 with a team save percentage of .891%.
The Sharks’ 18.75% power play percentage ranks 25th in the league, while the Blackhawks are 27th with a conversion rate of 17.58%. San Jose has been more successful at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 83.24%. Chicago ranks 21st at 76.19%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 46 and 45 points this season, Domi and Kane have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks. In the net, Arvid Soderblom (2-10-2) is Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.45 GAA and a .894% save percentage.
Petr Mrazek (7-15-2) leads the Blackhawks in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.86 and a save percentage of .888%. Karlsson leads the Sharks in scoring with 76 points (6th in the league).
He has 18 goals and 58 assists (3rd) in 59 games. Reimer (9-14-6) has the best goals against average for San Jose at 3.20. He has a save percentage of .898%.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 8-16-2 on the road this season. San Jose is 6-15-7 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
SJ Sharks (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
