The San Jose Sharks (-110), the league’s top penalty killing team, host the Vancouver Canucks (-110) and their opportunistic power play offense at SAP Center at San Jose on Sunday. The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)Vancouver (8-10-3) is playing on back-to-back days after earning a 5-1 win over the Golden Knights yesterday, their third consecutive win away from home.
The Canucks committed six penalties in the game, though they held Vegas without a power play goal. Five players found the net for the Canucks. J.T. Miller scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Spencer Martin saved an impressive 26 of 27 shots (.962%) in the win.San Jose (7-13-3) fell 5-2 to the Kings on Friday.
Alexander Barabanov and Kevin Labanc each scored once for the Sharks. James Reimer only had 24 saves on 28 shots against (.857%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Canucks won all three games between the teams last season, including a 4-2 victory in their final meeting in April, their fifth straight win against San Jose. Alex Chiasson led Vancouver with two points (1G 1A). Tomas Hertl and Nick Bonino were on the scoresheet for San Jose. Thatcher Demko got the win, saving 35 of 37 shots (.945%).
FACING OFF
Vancouver is averaging 3.57 goals per game for the season, fifth in the NHL. The visitors will look to improve on that figure against a Sharks team that is allowing 3.57 goals a game (28th). Meanwhile, San Jose has found the net 2.96 times a game on average, 19th in the league, and the Canucks are allowing opponents to score 3.76 goals per game (30th).
The Canucks’ third-ranked power play offense (29.33%) will be put to the test against the Sharks, who are the league’s best penalty killing team (90.00%). San Jose, meanwhile, has scored on 20.00% of their power play opportunities (20th), which the hosts will be aiming to add to against Vancouver’s 31st-ranked 67.14% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat have been the top skaters for the Canucks this season with 25 and 23 points. Horvat is among the league leaders with his 17 goals (2nd). In the net, Martin (5-1-1) is Vancouver’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.42 GAA and a .901% save percentage.
Demko (2-9-2) leads the Canucks in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.88 and a save percentage of .883%.Erik Karlsson leads the Sharks in scoring with 30 points (6th in the league). He has 11 goals and 19 assists (6th) in 23 games. 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
Vancouver is 5-6-2 away from home this season. San Jose is 2-8-3 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Canucks are 1-3 without a day off and 1-1 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Sharks are 0-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Vancouver Canucks (-115)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
