San Jose Sharks (9-22-3) vs. Los Angeles Kings (19-7-4)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings 12/27/23 – On Wednesday, the NHL regular season will resume with an intriguing contest between the struggling San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Santa Clara and broadcast by ESPN+. With both sides struggling in different ways this year, this game promises an intense David versus Goliath matchup that fans and bettors alike looking for NHL free picks will eagerly watch to see whether San Jose can upset Los Angeles or continue its reign over pro hockey betting odds.
Tomas Hertl has led San Jose’s inconsistent offense to 27 points this season, providing them with their team-high mark of 27. Hertl’s goal-scoring and playmaking prowess will be essential against a Kings’ defense that has only allowed just over 2 goals per game; furthermore Mikael Granlund and William Eklund’s contributions will be key to breaking through their defensive wall; to take down such an opponent San Jose must show both resilience and tactical acumen when attacking!
Los Angeles Kings’ offense has been one of the more effective and efficient units this season, led by Anze Kopitar’s 31 points and supported by Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe – making their offense easy to score goals from. Kopitar will play a pivotal role in breaking down an inconsistent Sharks defense that has proven vulnerable, while their balanced attack of speed, skill and physicality will put their defensive capabilities to the test as one of their Achilles Heels.
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings 12/27/23 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Crypto.com Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Goaltender Cam Talbot
San Jose’s goaltender, Mackenzie Blackwood comes into this matchup struggling mightily between the pipes. He sports a subpar 3.92 goals against average along with a troubling .889 save percentage this season. Those numbers rank near the bottom among regular starting netminders in the league. Additionally, he faces over 30 shots per 60 minutes played, which doesn’t bode well against a Los Angeles squad generating the fourth-most shots on goal per contest. With shaky numbers across the board and facing intense volume, San Jose’s goalie could be in line for a barrage of rubber and several pucks hitting twine behind him. Backstopping a porous defense and scuffling penalty kill unit won’t help his cause either on the road in this difficult matchup. The visitor’s goalie simply enters this game spinning his wheels.
In contrast, Los Angeles’ stalwart net, Cam Talbot has shone brightly overall this year. He touts sparkling rate metrics, including a 2.06 goals against average and .925 save percentage, both top-5 marks league-wide. He also faces five fewer shots on average per 60 minutes than his counterpart in this showdown does. With that lighter workload and backed by a sound defense corralling rebounds while blocking passing and shooting lanes, the home team’s netminder holds a sizable positional advantage. Adding in Los Angeles’ ability to tilt the ice via puck possession and power play prowess, the scales tip heavily toward the host’s goalie denying opponents more frequently. Given the current form of both masked men, this matchup appears highly one-sided.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles Kings -385, Total Odds: TBD
The current betting odds heavily favor the Los Angeles Kings, reflecting their superior season performance. The Sharks, as underdogs, could offer value for bettors looking for a high-risk, high-reward scenario. The total odds, once available, will give further insight into expected game flow and scoring patterns.
San Jose Sharks Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Jose’s last 11 games. However, the under has hit in 4 of the last 6 meetings between these teams. The Sharks are winless SU in their last 5 overall and have lost three straight by three or more goals. San Jose also struggles on the road, posting a 1-14 SU record in their last 15 away contests.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the Kings’ last 17 matchups. Los Angeles has excelled at home lately, winning eight of their previous nine at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings have also dominated this head-to-head series, going 14-6 SU in their last 20 home meetings against the Sharks.
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings 12/27/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, the Kings seem to be the clear favorites. Their balanced attack and solid defense, combined with Talbot’s goaltending, give them the edge. However, the Sharks, with a desperate need to turn their season around, might put up a spirited fight.
In terms of picks, the Kings seem to be the safer bet, with their consistent performance and home advantage. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially for key players like Kopitar and Hertl, could offer additional betting opportunities. The over/under will depend on the final total odds, but considering the trends, a lower-scoring game might be expected. Handicapping top services would likely agree with these assessments, given the teams’ current forms and historical performances.
Free Pick and Prediction: Los Angeles Kings 4, San Jose Sharks 2