Columbus Blue Jackets vs San Jose Sharks Prediction, 2/17/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs San Jose Sharks

Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024

Location: SAP Center in San Jose, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

The Columbus Blue Jackets (16-26-10) are en route to SAP Center on Saturday where they will try to defeat the San Jose Sharks (14-33-5).

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the losing side of the ice with a 6-3 defeat to the Senators in their previous outing. Columbus accrued 14 mins in the box in this game. The Blue Jackets offense didn't overly impress in the defeat. Furthermore, they had 4 power play opportunities but weren't able to make the most of them. In the game, they earned a goal on 3 of the 40 shots they attempted.

With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 151 goals (24th in the NHL) this season and have given up 193. For the current campaign, they have earned 42 points and their points percentage is sitting at .404. Columbus comes into the game with 150 power play opportunities and they have added 22 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 14.67%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 157 goals while notching 129 on offense. Columbus has tried 1,550 shots and has a shot percentage of 9.7%. The Blue Jackets thus far have had 1,734 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .889. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 151 power play opportunities (24th in hockey) and have earned 36 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has played in 179 matchups during his hockey career. He has amassed a mark of 64-73-29 and he has gotten the start in 166 games. The opposition has racked up 516 goals against Merzlikins in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 3.15. Merzlikins has seen 5,469 shots against him and has accrued 4,953 saves. He has a save percentage of .906 in his 9,835 minutes played. In his career, Merzlikins has accrued 79 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .476.

The last time they were on the ice, San Jose played the Jets in a matchup where the Sharks took the defeat by a final score of 1-0. The Sharks converted 0 goals of the 17 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 1 power play chance in this game but didn't score a goal.

For the season, the San Jose Sharks are sitting with 106 goals, 33 points, as well as a points percentage of .317. They have allowed 196 goals to be scored by way of 152 goals at even strength and 44 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sharks have earned 85 goals at even strength and 21 goals (31st in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have earned 125 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 16.80%. San Jose has taken 1,316 shots (32nd in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.05%, while allowing their opponents 1,846 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 73.33% on their opponents 165 power play chances, and their save percentage is currently 89.4%.

Across the ice you are expected to see Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes. His opposition is averaging 3.06 goals/game and he has allowed 527 goals altogether. Blackwood's percentage of quality starts sits at 52.9% and he has made 91 quality starts in his NHL career. He got the starting nod in 172 contests and his ice time sits at 10,326 mins. Blackwood holds a career record of 73-74-21 and has played in 184 contests. He is sitting with 4,987 saves out of 5,514 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .904.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus

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