San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 12/17/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Sunday, December 17, 2023

Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

TV: Altitude Sports

Odds/Point Spread: Sharks (+260) Avalanche (-335)

The San Jose Sharks (9-18-3) are headed to Ball Arena on Sunday where they will go up against the Colorado Avalanche (18-9-2). The odds on this game have San Jose at +260 and Colorado opens at -335. The betting total comes in at 7.

The San Jose Sharks will need a bounce back game after taking a 1-0 loss against the Coyotes their last time out. San Jose had 8 penalty minutes in this matchup. The Sharks didn't have their best offensive outing in the defeat. They also had 1 opportunity with more players on the ice but weren't able to convert it into a goal. In the matchup, they weren't able to score on any of the 21 shots they put on goal.

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San Jose Sharks opponents have earned 105 power play opportunities (3rd in the league) and have tallied 27 goals in those chances. The Sharks so far have had 1,088 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .894. San Jose has tried 775 shots and has a shooting percentage of 8.3%. While at even strength, the Sharks have allowed the opponent to score 88 goals while scoring 49 of their own. San Jose comes into tonight with 78 power play chances and they have scored 15 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 19.23%. For the year, they have recorded 21 points and their points percentage is .350. Pertaining to their goal scoring prowess, the San Jose Sharks have accounted for 64 goals (32nd in pro hockey) for the season and have allowed 115.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Mackenzie Blackwood. Opponents have scored 489 goals versus Blackwood in his career and his average for goals against per game is 3.05. Blackwood has been involved in 172 contests over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .905 for his 9,626 minutes guarding the cage. He has compiled an overall mark of 69-68-20 and he started in 161 games. Over the course of his career, Blackwood has 85 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .528. Blackwood has seen 5,145 shots against him and has garnered 4,656 total saves.

In their last contest, Colorado faced the Sabres in a matchup where the Avalanche got the win by a final of 5-1. They had 2 attempts on the power play in this one and scored 1 out of those opportunities. The Avalanche converted 5 goals of the 29 shots on goal they were seeking.

So far this year, the Colorado Avalanche have earned a total of 104 goals, 38 points, in addition to a points percentage of .655. They have allowed 87 goals to be scored by of a combination of 73 goals at even strength and 14 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Avalanche are sitting with 83 goals at even strength and 21 goals (12th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have earned 109 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 19.27%. Colorado has attempted 933 shots (9th in the NHL) and has earned a shot percentage of 11.15%, while allowing the other team 856 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 85.86% on the other teams 99 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.8%.

Across the ice you are going to see Alexandar Georgiev patrolling the crease. Opponents are averaging 2.82 goals per contest and he has surrendered 566 goals altogether. Georgiev's quality start rate is 54.5% and he has made 110 quality starting assignments in his career. He has been a starter 202 games and has played for a total of 12,040 minutes. Georgiev holds a career record of 112-71-18 and has been in net for 214 games. He has accounted for 5,728 stops out of the 6,294 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .910.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Colorado (-335)

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