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New York Islanders (35-27-8) vs. San Jose Sharks (19-36-14)
The 2022-23 NHL season goes on with a 13-game Saturday card and brings this interconference clash between the New York Islanders and the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center in San Jose, California 10:30 p.m. ET.
This is the second meeting between these teams this season. The Islanders earned a 5-2 victory in New York back on October 18. New York was the favorite at -185 with the total set at 5.5. The Islanders are the favorite here as well (-175).
Islanders Double Up Ducks
The New York Islanders defeated the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, 6-3. This is the final contest of a three-game road trip that has seen the teams split the first two games. New York is 15-15-5 on the road this season and are 6-3-1 in their last 10, helping them move into second place in the Eastern Conference wildcard standings, tied with Pittsburgh.
Kyle Palmeri had a huge game, scoring a goal and adding three assists. Palmeri had just one point in his previous four games. Brock Nelson scored twice in the game and now leads the club with 65 total points. The Islanders are 23rd in goals per game (2.91) and 29th on the power play (16.4%). The Islanders power play has been slightly better on the road this season (18.5%).
Action from Anaheim. 📸
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 16, 2023
Ilya Sorokin stopped 20 shots in the victory. Sorokin (24-19-6, 2.40, .924) has allowed 10 total goals over his last three starts. He had allowed just four total goals in the previous three games. The Islanders are seventh in goals-against average (2.71) and 10th in penalty killing (81.9%). They are allowing 2.40 goals per game over their last 10 games.
Kraken Down Sharks in OT
The San Jose Sharks lost to the Seattle Kraken in overtime on Thursday, 2-1. That leaves the team winless at home this month, going 0-3-2 through the first five games of the month and they are 6-19-10 at home this season, the worst home record in the NHL. San Jose is 27 points behind Winnipeg for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Sharks got outstanding goaltending out of James Reimer, who stopped 30 of 32 shots. Neither team could find back of the net through the first 40 minutes, but San Jose took the lead 1:18 into the third. Seattle tied the score 5 minutes later and won the contest 1:58 into overtime. San Jose is allowing 3.75 goals per game, 29th overall, but they are seventh in penalty-killing at 82.5%. It is understandable why this team is so bad at home, as they are allowing 4.03 goals per game.
“Sharks showcased needed improvement”
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 17, 2023
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William Eklund scored the only goal for San Jose. Erik Karlsson leads the team with 85 points, with the next leading scorer 27 points behind him. The Sharks are averaging 2.87 goals per game, 25th, and are 26th on the power-play (18.2%). They are four for their last 27 on the power-play.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
This may seem like a broken record, but there is no reason to take this Sharks team at home. They have not earned a victory on home ice since defeating Seattle on February 20. That is the span of eight straight games where they have gone 0-5-3. San Jose is 13-38 in their last 51 games and 13-42 in their last 55 games at home. This team is absolutely terrible in their own barn.
New York has not been great on the road this season, but have won two of the three games they have played away from New York this month, scoring 12 total goals while allowing 11. While they are allowing 3.03 goals per game on the road this season, that is an average of one goal fewer than what San Jose is allowing at home.
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Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
San Jose is not only struggling at home, but is having difficulty scoring goals as well. They have scored three or fewer goals in four of the five games at home and seven of the eight games overall. They have been held to two or fewer goals in four of the last five games and are averaging just 2.30 goals per game over their last 10 contests.
New York is only averaging 2.90 goals per game over their last 10 but are allowing 2.40 per contest. These teams have gone under in five of the last seven meetings, including six of the last nine in San Jose.