Two teams trending in different directions square off at SAP Center at San Jose on Thursday as the stumbling Detroit Red Wings (7-5-4) travel to take on the San Jose Sharks (6-9-3), who will be looking to build on their winning streak. Detroit is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss against the Ducks on Tuesday, their fourth defeat in a row.
The Red Wings committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Michael Rasmussen and Jonatan Berggren each scored once for the Red Wings. Ville Husso saved only 27 of 30 shots against (.900%) in the loss.
San Jose is playing the first of four games at home after a 5-2 win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday, their third straight win. Five players found the net for the Sharks. James Reimer had 24 saves.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-2 (OT) victory for the Sharks in January. Brent Burns led San Jose with three points (0G 3A). Tyler Bertuzzi (1G 1A) and Filip Hronek (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Detroit. Adin Hill got the win despite allowing two goals on 19 shots (.894%).
FACING OFF
Detroit is averaging 2.88 goals per game for the season, 22nd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sharks team that is allowing 3.28 goals a game (20th). Meanwhile, San Jose has found the net 2.83 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Red Wings are allowing opponents to score 3.25 goals per game (18th).
Detroit averages fewer shots per game (28.9) than most teams in the league, ranking 29th. San Jose’s average of 30.5 attempts ranks 20th. The Sharks’ 20.00% power play percentage ranks 18th in the league, while the Red Wings are 22nd with a conversion rate of 19.67%.
San Jose has been stronger at penalty killing, boasting the league’s second-highest PK% at 91.49%. Detroit ranks 18th at 78.43%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 18 and 17 points this season, Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Larkin have been the top skaters for the Red Wings. Both have seven goals in 16 games. Kubalik also has 11 assists, while Larkin has set up 10 goals for teammates. In the net, Husso (5-2-2) is Detroit’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.54 GAA and a .920% save percentage. Erik Karlsson leads the Sharks in scoring with 24 points (8th in the league). He has 10 goals (6th in the league) and 14 assists. Reimer (4-5-2) has the best goals against average for San Jose at 2.88. He has a save percentage of .908%.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 2-3-2 on the road this season. San Jose has dropped four straight at SAP Center at San Jose this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
SJ Sharks (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
