The San Jose Sharks (2-7-0) play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-3-0) at SAP Center at San Jose on Thursday. Toronto is coming off a 3-1 loss against the Golden Knights on Monday. William Nylander scored the only goal for the Maple Leafs.
Ilya Samsonov only had 30 saves on 33 shots against (.909%) in the loss. San Jose fell 4-2 to the Golden Knights on Tuesday. Matt Nieto and Nico Sturm each scored once for the Sharks. James Reimer saved only 27 of 31 shots against (.870%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 4-1 victory for the Maple Leafs in November. John Tavares and Nylander each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Toronto. Nick Bonino scored San Jose’s only goal. Joseph Woll got the win, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971%).
FACING OFF
Toronto is averaging 2.71 goals per game so far this season, 26th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sharks team that is allowing 3.00 goals a game (12th). Meanwhile, San Jose has found the net 1.89 times a game on average, 32nd in the league, and the Maple Leafs are allowing opponents to score 2.57 goals per game (6th).
San Jose averages fewer shots a game (26.9) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 7.0% shooting percentage is 32nd. With an average of 32.1 attempts, Toronto ranks 14th.The Sharks’ 7.41% power play percentage is the fifth-worst in the league, while the Maple Leafs rank 14th with a conversion rate of 22.22%. While inefficient on the power play, San Jose has been adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s third-highest PK% at 96.15%. Toronto ranks 10th at 84.62%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With eight points this season, Tavares is the top skater for the Maple Leafs. He has three goals and five assists in seven games. In the net, Samsonov (4-1-0) is Toronto’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.01 GAA and a .932% save percentage.
Erik Karlsson leads the Sharks in scoring with six points. He has three goals and three assists. Reimer (2-4-0) has the best goals against average for San Jose at 2.55. He has a save percentage of .923%.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 1-2-0 on the road this season. San Jose has yet to win at SAP Center at San Jose this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Toronto Maple Leafs (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
