In this article, we will formulate a San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, December 19th at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
San Jose Sharks Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks are 11-18-5 this season after they lost to Winnipeg by a score of 4-3 in their last game. San Jose led 3-2 in the third period, but they allowed the last two goals for the loss. The Sharks outshot Winnipeg by a total of 35-33, won 40% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. San Jose got goals from Celebrini, Toffoli, and Zetterlund, while Georgiev stopped 29 out of 33 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Sharks lost to Utah by a score of 4-3 but did beat the Blues by a score of 4-3 before that. San Jose has scored 2.76 goals per game and they have allowed 3.47 goals against per game, while also going 18.5% on the power play and 79.6% on the penalty kill this season. Mikael Granlund has led San Jose with 11 goals, 21 assists, and 91 shots on goal, while Alexandar Georgiev is 1-1-0 with a 3.52 goals against average and an .868 save percentage with the Sharks this year.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are 18-15-0 this year after they lost to Vancouver by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Colorado trailed 3-0 in the third period, but they did score very late in the game to avoid the shutout. The Avalanche outshot Vancouver by a total of 31-25, won 49.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Colorado got their lone goal from Nichushkin, while Blackwood stopped 22 out of 24 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Avalanche defeated Nashville by a score of 5-2 but did lose to Utah before that. Colorado has scored 3.24 goals per game and they have allowed 3.46 goals against per game, while also going 23% on the power play and 75.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 13 goals, 37 assists, and 130 shots on goal, while Mackenzie Blackwood is 1-1-0 with a 2.05 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage for the Avs this year.
Why the Sharks will beat the Avalanche
- The Sharks have won four of their last five games as underdogs following a home loss.
- The Avalanche have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Sharks have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Sharks have won the second period in five of their last six games at SAP Center at San Jose following a loss.
Why the Avalanche will beat the Sharks
- The Avalanche have won each of their last 10 games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have lost seven of their last eight home games against Central Division opponents.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against the Sharks following a road loss.
- The Sharks have lost the third period in 11 of their last 12 home games against Central Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sharks’ last six games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Avalanche’s last nine games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in 12 of the Avalanche’s last 13 games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sharks’ last eight home games.
San Jose Sharks Player Prop Facts
- Macklin Celebrini has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances with the Sharks as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- Fabian Zetterlund has recorded at least one point in each of the Sharks’ last seven home games.
- Macklin Celebrini has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sharks’ last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Valeri Nichushkin has scored a goal in each of his last seven road appearances against Western Conference opponents.
- Cale Makar has recorded at least one point in each of the Avalanche’s last 11 games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- Cale Makar has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last nine road games against Pacific Division opponents.
San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction
Colorado comes into this game after losing two of their last three, but they have actually played pretty well over the last two weeks, as they have won five of their last eight games. The Avalanche are 10-7-0 on the road, while the Sharks are 6-8-1 at home this year. San Jose has lost five of their last six games and they are only scoring 2.76 goals per game this season. Neither team is very good on the defensive side of the ice and I think we are going to see plenty of goals in this matchup, especially from the Avs. Take the over here.