Washington Capitals vs San Jose Sharks Prediction, 3/4/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs San Jose Sharks

Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023

Location: SAP Center in San Jose, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-138) Sharks (+115)

The San Jose Sharks (18-32-12) welcome the Washington Capitals (30-27-6) at SAP Center on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has Washington at -138 while San Jose is sitting at +115. The total has been set at 6.

The Washington Capitals were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 victory over the Ducks their last time out. The Capitals had a middle of the road offensive output in the win. For the outing, they netted 3 of the 39 shots they put on net. In addition, they had 3 chances with the advantage but weren't able to score. Washington accumulated 9 penalty minutes in this outing.

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Washington Capitals opponents have recorded 170 power play tries (30th in hockey) and have come away with 30 goals in those chances. The Capitals so far have had 1,892 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .901. Washington has taken 1,991 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.5%. While playing at even strength, the Capitals let the opposition score 157 goals while notching 150 on offense. Washington comes into the game with 191 power play opportunities and they have notched 40 goals during those chances, giving them a percentage of 20.94%. For the current campaign, they have racked up 66 points and their points % is .524. Concerning their scoring capabilities, the Washington Capitals have accounted for 190 goals (18th in hockey) so far this year and have given up 187.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper has played in 341 games over the course of his NHL career. He has accumulated an overall mark of 161-114-40 and he was named the starter in 324 games. Opponents have racked up 807 goals against Kuemper in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 2.52. Kuemper has had 9,687 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 8,880 saves. His save percentage is at .917 for his 19,225 mins on the ice. In his career, Kuemper has recorded 179 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .552.

When they took the ice last, San Jose went up against the Blues in a game where the Sharks took the defeat by a final score of 6-3. They had 1 power play chance in this outing but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Sharks scored 3 goals of the 25 shots on goal they took.

The Sharks are sitting with 152 goals at even strength and 30 goals (29th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. San Jose has attempted 1,853 shots (21st in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.82%, while allowing the opposition 1,930 shots. On the season, the San Jose Sharks have accounted for 182 goals, 48 points, and a points percentage of .387. They have allowed 226 goals to be scored by way of 195 goals at even strength and 31 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 164 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 18.29%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 83.06% on the other teams 183 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.3%.

For the opposition you are expected to see Kaapo Kahkonen between the pipes. Kahkonen has a career record of 41-36-10 and has been in net for 92 contests. Kahkonen's quality start percentage is 52.3% and he has qualified for 46 quality starts in his professional career. He has recorded 2,467 stops out of 2,735 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .902. His opposition is averaging 3.07 goals/game and he has yielded 268 goals in total. He has been a starter 88 contests and has racked up 5,236 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Washington (-138)

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