PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NHL PLAY OF THE DAY >> 77-55-1 L133 Releases!
(NHL) Chicago vs. San Jose,
Total: 5.50 | -115.00 Under
Result: Win
Total: 5.50 | -115.00 Under
Result: Win
The set-up: The 34-21-9 San Jose Sharks are fighting for playoff positioning (team's 77 points has them in second-place in the Pacific Division), while the 27-28-8 Chicago Blackhawks are in the rare position of playing spoiler. The Blackhawks have plummeted to the bottom of the Central Division with losses in 10 of 13 contests in February but
one of those three wins came at the expense of the Sharks, 3-1 in Chicago on Feb. 23.
Chicago: Artem Anisimov (17 goals) netted his third goal in four games in that win over San Jose but was then held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 setback at Columbus on Saturday. Captain Jonathan Toews has been held without a point in four straight games. Toews is one of three Blackhawks with at least 40 points with Nick Schmaltz (42) and Patrick Kane (team-high 58). Rookie Alex DeBrincat needs one point to reach 40, and is one goal shy of tying Kane for the team lead with 23 goals. Goalie Jean-Francois Berube will hope to repeat his effort of last Thursday, when he flustering the Sharks by turning aside 42 shots in his first start for Chicago. The 26-year-old was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League last week and shined in his first NHL start since Feb. 19, 2017. Berube is expected to see some additional action during the team's trek through California, although coach Joel Quenneville told reporters that Corey Crawford (concussion) could return to the ice following the road trip. The Blackhawks play three straight in California, including back-to-back games this weekend in Los Angeles and Anaheim.
San Jose: Evander Kane was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday and drew two assists in San Jose's 5-2 win over Edmonton on Tuesday. He playied alongside Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi, with the line combing for a goal and six assists. Pavelski has a goal and five assists in a four-game points streak at home against Chicago. He is second on the team with 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists), one behind Brent Burns (10 goals and 51 points). Center Logan Couture leads the team with 26 goals. San Jose showed its appreciation of Aaron Dell by signing the backup goaltender to a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension on Wednesday. Dell sports a 14-5-3 mark this season. However, Martin (Jones) is still No. 1. He has turned aside 93 of 98 shots to highlight his three-game home winning streak, although his 33 saves were not enough as he absorbed the hard-luck loss in Chicago on Friday.
The pick: After 10 straight playoff appearances (including winning three Stanley Cups, Chicago is facing the reality of that streak ending. However, don't expect the Blackhawks to roll over in the final quarter of the season. "We can be spoilers against some teams that have a lot of incentive just on this trip alone," head coach Joel Quenneville said. The Sharks are playing with some "recent revenge" on their minds and have gone 18-9-3 at home, where they are averaging 3.23 GPG. Chicago allows 3.10 GPG on the road and Berube still lacks experience in goal. Make the Over a 10* play.
one of those three wins came at the expense of the Sharks, 3-1 in Chicago on Feb. 23.
Chicago: Artem Anisimov (17 goals) netted his third goal in four games in that win over San Jose but was then held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 setback at Columbus on Saturday. Captain Jonathan Toews has been held without a point in four straight games. Toews is one of three Blackhawks with at least 40 points with Nick Schmaltz (42) and Patrick Kane (team-high 58). Rookie Alex DeBrincat needs one point to reach 40, and is one goal shy of tying Kane for the team lead with 23 goals. Goalie Jean-Francois Berube will hope to repeat his effort of last Thursday, when he flustering the Sharks by turning aside 42 shots in his first start for Chicago. The 26-year-old was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League last week and shined in his first NHL start since Feb. 19, 2017. Berube is expected to see some additional action during the team's trek through California, although coach Joel Quenneville told reporters that Corey Crawford (concussion) could return to the ice following the road trip. The Blackhawks play three straight in California, including back-to-back games this weekend in Los Angeles and Anaheim.
San Jose: Evander Kane was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday and drew two assists in San Jose's 5-2 win over Edmonton on Tuesday. He playied alongside Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi, with the line combing for a goal and six assists. Pavelski has a goal and five assists in a four-game points streak at home against Chicago. He is second on the team with 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists), one behind Brent Burns (10 goals and 51 points). Center Logan Couture leads the team with 26 goals. San Jose showed its appreciation of Aaron Dell by signing the backup goaltender to a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension on Wednesday. Dell sports a 14-5-3 mark this season. However, Martin (Jones) is still No. 1. He has turned aside 93 of 98 shots to highlight his three-game home winning streak, although his 33 saves were not enough as he absorbed the hard-luck loss in Chicago on Friday.
The pick: After 10 straight playoff appearances (including winning three Stanley Cups, Chicago is facing the reality of that streak ending. However, don't expect the Blackhawks to roll over in the final quarter of the season. "We can be spoilers against some teams that have a lot of incentive just on this trip alone," head coach Joel Quenneville said. The Sharks are playing with some "recent revenge" on their minds and have gone 18-9-3 at home, where they are averaging 3.23 GPG. Chicago allows 3.10 GPG on the road and Berube still lacks experience in goal. Make the Over a 10* play.
