Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks Prediction, 12/16/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks

Date: Thursday, December 16, 2021

Location: SAP Center in San Jose, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

James Reimer and the San Jose Sharks (15-13-1) play the Vancouver Canucks (13-15-2) at SAP Center on Thursday.

The Vancouver Canucks were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jackets in their previous contest. Vancouver amassed 6 penalty mins in this game. The Canucks had a good offensive output in the victory. Additionally, they had 2 power play tries and were able to notch 1 goal. While out there on the ice, they earned a goal on 4 out of the 39 shots they launched.

Vancouver Canucks opponents have recorded 93 power play opportunities (3rd in the league) and have come away with 31 goals in those attempts. The Canucks have had 957 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .909. Vancouver has attempted 1,002 shots and has a shooting percentage of 7.3%. While at even strength, the Canucks have allowed 56 goals while getting 54 on the offensive side of the ice. Vancouver has tallied 99 power play chances and they have notched 19 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 19.19%. For the current season, they have accumulated 28 points and their points percentage sits at .467. In relation to scoring goals, the Vancouver Canucks have accumulated 73 goals (24th in pro hockey) on the season and have allowed 87.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Thatcher Demko. Demko has played in 96 games during his NHL career. He has amassed an overall record of 46-42-5 and got the start in 93 games. The opposition has racked up 269 goals against Demko in his career and his goals against average per game is 2.86. Demko has seen 3,066 shots taken against him and has recorded 2,797 total saves. He has a save percentage of .912 for his 5,634 mins in the crease. For his professional hockey career, Demko has earned 53 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .570.

When they took the ice last, San Jose went up against the Kraken in an outing where the Sharks went home in defeat by a mark of 3-1. They had 1 power play chance in this contest but were not able to net one. The Sharks scored 1 goal out of the 34 shots on goal they attempted.

The Sharks have earned 62 goals at even strength and 14 goals (19th in professional hockey) while on the power play. San Jose has attempted 842 shots (20th in the league) and has a shot percentage of 9.03%, while allowing the opposition 883 shots. During this campaign, the San Jose Sharks have earned a total of 76 goals, 31 points, as well as a points percentage of .534. They have a total of 73 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 19.18%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 86.11% on the other teams 72 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.1%. They have granted a total of 79 goals to be scored by of a combination of 69 goals at even strength and 10 goals while they had less men on the ice.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see James Reimer between the pipes. He has accounted for 10,658 saves out of the 11,660 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .914. Reimer holds a career mark of 182-136-44 and has played in 401 games. He has made the start in 366 games and has played for a total of 21,813 mins. Reimer's rate of quality starts comes out to 51.6% and he has qualified for 189 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. Teams are averaging 2.76 goals per game and he has surrendered 1,002 goals overall.

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

Josh's Pick: Take San Jose

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