San Jose Sharks (8-17-3) vs. Arizona Coyotes (13-13-2)
San Jose Sharks vs. Arizona Coyotes 12/15/23 – The struggling San Jose Sharks go on the road to face the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night. The Sharks sit second-last in the Pacific division while the Coyotes are holding down fourth place. Free NHL predictions suggest this could be a close matchup between two teams headed in opposite directions.
The San Jose Sharks offense runs through top forwards Tomas Hertl and Mikael Granlund, who have combined for 42 points this season. However, San Jose ranks near the bottom of the league in goals per game and their middling power play unit could struggle against Arizona’s 12th-ranked penalty kill.
The Arizona Coyotes feature a balanced attack led by Clayton Keller and Matias Maccelli. Their speed and skill could present issues for the Sharks defense, which allows the sixth-most goals against per contest. Arizona also has a top-ten power play that could capitalize on San Jose’s 26th-ranked penalty killing.
San Jose Sharks vs. Arizona Coyotes Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 15, 2023 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Mullett Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Goaltender Connor Ingram
Mackenzie Blackwood has struggled mightily in the Sharks’ net this season, posting a dreadful .895 save percentage along with a 3.83 goals against average over 19 appearances. He has yet to show much consistency and his technique and positioning have been shaky. Blackwood has already been pulled multiple times and his 64 goals allowed is the second-worst mark in the league at this point. He doesn’t move very well laterally and can be beaten by quick passing sequences and lateral puck movement. The Coyotes feature plenty of speed and skill up front, so they could be poised to bombard Blackwood if he gets the nod. There is very little evidence to suggest he can effectively slow down Arizona’s dangerous offensive attack.
Connor Ingram has been absolutely outstanding for the Coyotes this year. Through 17 starts, he boasts an exceptional .920 save percentage along with a stingy 2.52 GAA. Ingram utilizes his high-end athleticism and competitiveness to make acrobatic saves look routine. His lateral agility is exceptional, allowing him to fully take away the bottom portion of the net. Ingram has also shown good rebound control for a young goaltender. His ability to swallow up shots and freeze pucks calms things down for the rest of his team. The Sharks offense has been mediocre at best in 2022-23, so Ingram should be fully capable of handling their limited scoring threats. His significant edge in goal gives Arizona a substantial advantage in this matchup.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, but they are expected to favor the Coyotes, given their better record. Bettors should consider the teams’ recent forms and individual performances when evaluating the odds.
San Jose Sharks Betting Trends
San Jose Sharks have posted an abysmal 1-4 straight up record over their last five contests, while also failing to cover the spread in four of those games. For the season, San Jose has been a poor wager away from home, covering just 5 of 15 spreads as the visitor. They seem to save their worst hockey for the road, allowing 3.9 goals per game in opposing arenas. However, a slight silver lining is the fact that the over has hit in 8 of the Sharks’ last 13 games overall.
Arizona Coyotes Betting Trends
Despite going just 2-3 over their previous five games, the Coyotes have continued to reward bettors by covering in four of those contests. They seem to thrive at Mullett Arena as well, posting an 8-7 mark versus the number in home matchups this year. Arizona also has an over trend worth noting – the total has gone over in seven of their last 13 contests in Glendale. Their aggressive offense has clicked fairly consistently on home ice, while opponents have taken advantage of some defensive lapses.
San Jose Sharks vs. Arizona Coyotes 12/15/23 Betting Picks
Analyzing both teams’ performances and trends, the Coyotes appear to have a distinct advantage, especially playing at home. The Sharks’ struggle to find consistent form, particularly on the road, makes them the underdogs in this matchup.
For sports expert selections, the Coyotes seem to be the safer bet, considering their better record and home advantage. Prop bets could focus on individual performances like Keller or Hertl. The over/under bet will depend on the goaltenders’ form, but a game leaning towards average scoring is likely.
Free Pick and Prediction: Arizona Coyotes 4, San Jose Sharks 2