New York Islanders vs San Jose Sharks Prediction, 3/18/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs San Jose Sharks

Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023

Location: SAP Center in San Jose, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (-175) Sharks (+145)

The New York Islanders (35-27-8) are en route to SAP Center on Saturday where they will go up against the San Jose Sharks (19-36-14). The odds on this game have New York at -175 and San Jose is priced at +145. The over/under is 6.

The New York Islanders were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-3 win over the Ducks their last time on the ice. New York earned 4 minutes in the box in this matchup. Additionally, they had 1 power play opportunity but weren't able to score. The Islanders had a solid offensive output in the win. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 6 out of the 33 shots they attempted.

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When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the New York Islanders have tallied 204 goals (22nd in pro hockey) on the campaign and have given up 190. For the year, they have 78 points and their points percentage comes in at .557. New York is sitting with 195 power play opportunities and they have scored 32 goals during those chances, giving them a percentage of 16.41%. When playing at even strength, the Islanders have conceded 154 goals while earning 172 themselves. New York has taken 2,135 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.6%. The Islanders have seen 2,199 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .914. New York Islanders opponents have tallied 199 power play opportunities (22nd in the NHL) and have scored 36 goals in those attempts.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Ilya Sorokin. The opposition has scored 287 goals against Sorokin in his professional career and his goals against rate is 2.36. Sorokin has participated in 125 games over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage is at .923 during his 7,298 minutes in the crease. He has an overall mark of 63-43-17 and he was named the starter in 122 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Sorokin has earned 86 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .705. Sorokin has had 3,747 shots taken against him and has recorded 3,460 total saves.

Their last time out, San Jose faced the Kraken in an outing where the Sharks went home in defeat by a final score of 2-1. They had 2 power play chances in this game but weren't able to score a goal. The Sharks recorded 1 goal of the 33 shots on goal they were seeking.

For the year, the San Jose Sharks have earned a total of 198 goals, 52 points, in addition to a points percentage of .377. They have permitted 259 goals to be scored by way of 221 goals at even strength and 38 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sharks have accumulated 164 goals at even strength and 34 goals (26th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 187 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 18.18%. San Jose has attempted 2,067 shots (21st in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.58%, while allowing the other team 2,180 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 81.99% on the other teams 211 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 88.1%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Kaapo Kahkonen defending the net. Kahkonen is the owner of a career mark of 41-39-11 and has been in goal for 96 contests. Kahkonen's quality start rate sits at 50.0% and he has qualified for 46 quality starts in his professional career. He has accrued 2,576 stops out of 2,867 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .899. His opposition is averaging 3.21 goals/game and he has yielded 291 goals in total. He has started in 92 games and has played 5,443 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take San Jose (+145)

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