San Jose Sharks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 1/2/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: San Jose Sharks vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Sunday, January 2, 2022

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins (17-8-5) welcome the San Jose Sharks (17-14-1) at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday.

The San Jose Sharks were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 win over the Flyers their last time on the ice. The Sharks were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in the victory. In the game, they converted 3 of the 46 shots they attempted. Furthermore, they had 4 chances with the advantage but weren't able to score a goal. San Jose earned 13 penalty minutes in this matchup.

With respect to scoring goals, the San Jose Sharks have racked up 88 goals (19th in pro hockey) on the campaign and have surrendered 93. For the current campaign, the have a total of 35 points and their points % is .547. San Jose has 81 power play chances and they have notched 14 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 17.28%. At even strength, the Sharks have allowed 80 goals while scoring 74 on the offensive side of the ice. San Jose has taken 951 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.3%. The Sharks have had 984 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .905. San Jose Sharks opponents have totaled 81 power play opportunities (26th in hockey) and have a total of 13 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is James Reimer. Over the course of his pro career, Reimer has tallied 190 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .516. His save percentage sits at .914 for his 21,942 mins played. Reimer has had 11,731 shot attempts against him and has gathered 10,720 total saves. Opponents have tallied 1,011 goals against Reimer in his career and his goals against average per game is 2.76. He has compiled a record of 184-136-44 and he has started in 368 games. Reimer has been in goal for 403 contests over the course of his pro hockey career.

When they took the ice last, Pittsburgh went up against the Devils in a game where the Penguins took home the win by a tally of 3-2. The Penguins earned 3 goals out of the 22 shots on goal they attempted. They had 2 power play attempts in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have accounted for 90 goals, 39 points, in addition to a points percentage of .650. They have allowed 72 goals to be scored by of a combination of 66 goals at even strength and 6 goals while they were shorthanded. The Penguins have earned 77 goals at even strength and 13 goals (26th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have a tally of 85 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 15.29%. Pittsburgh has put up 1,051 shots (5th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.56%, while allowing the opposition 890 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 92.11% on their opponents 76 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is currently 91.9%.

For the opposition you are going to see Casey DeSmith in goal. DeSmith has compiled a lifetime mark of 34-25-7 and has been in goal for 76 games. DeSmith's rate of quality starts comes in at 56.3% and he has qualified for 36 quality starts in his pro career. He has accrued 1,966 saves out of the 2,149 shots taken against him, which gives him a percentage of .915. Teams are averaging 2.66 goals per game and he has relinquished 183 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 64 games and his ice time sits at 4,132 minutes.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take San Jose

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