Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks Prediction, 12/19/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks

Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Location: SAP Center in San Jose, CA

TV: ESPN+/Hulu

Odds/Point Spread: Kings (-250) Sharks (+200)

The San Jose Sharks (9-19-3) welcome the Los Angeles Kings (17-6-4) at SAP Center on Tuesday. The odds on this game have Los Angeles at -250 while San Jose is coming in at +200. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Los Angeles Kings had a decent effort after finishing in a 2-2 tie against the Kraken in their previous outing. The Kings didn't have their best offensive outing in this game. For the game, they scored on 2 out of the 38 shots they attempted. They also had 4 power play attempts and netted 1 goal. Los Angeles garnered 4 minutes in the box in this matchup.

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When playing at even strength, the Kings have conceded 54 goals while scoring 76 when they are on offense. Los Angeles Kings opponents have 85 power play opportunities (31st in professional hockey) and have scored 11 goals in those chances. With respect to scoring goals, the Los Angeles Kings have notched 96 goals (12th in the league) on the season and have allowed 65. Los Angeles has attempted 902 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.6%. For the current campaign, the have a total of 38 points and their points percentage is sitting at .704. The Kings thus far have had 720 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .910. Los Angeles has accounted for 95 power play opportunities and they have notched 20 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 21.05%.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Cam Talbot. Talbot has been involved in 452 games over the course of his NHL career. He has amassed a record of 231-161-38 and he was named the starter in 432 games. The opposition has notched 1,130 goals versus Talbot in his professional hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.62. Talbot has seen 13,148 shots taken against him and has recorded 12,018 total saves. His save percentage currently sits at .914 during his 25,857 minutes on the ice. Over the course of his pro career, Talbot has 236 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .546.

Their last time out, San Jose faced the Avalanche in a matchup where the Sharks ended up taking the loss by a final of 6-2. They had 4 power play chances in this outing and scored 2 out of those attempts. The Sharks recorded 2 goals out of the 27 shots on goal they pursued.

San Jose has attempted 802 shots (30th in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 8.23%, while allowing their opponents 1,117 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 73.39% on the other teams 109 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 89.2%. They have a tally of 82 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 20.73%. The Sharks are sitting with 49 goals at even strength and 17 goals (22nd in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 121 goals to be scored by of a combination of 92 goals at even strength and 29 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the campaign, the San Jose Sharks have a total of 66 goals, 21 points, as well as a points percentage of .339.

Across the ice you will find Mackenzie Blackwood defending the net. He is sitting with 4,679 saves out of the 5,173 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .905. Blackwood has amassed a lifetime record of 69-69-20 and has played in 173 games. He got the starting nod in 162 games and has been on the ice for 9,686 mins. Blackwood's quality start rate comes out to 52.5% and he has 85 quality starts in his NHL career. Teams are averaging 3.06 goals per contest and he has allowed 494 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles (-250)

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