San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/16/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Sharks (+148) Blue Jackets (-180)

Nationwide Arena is where the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-33-11) will try to defeat the San Jose Sharks (16-42-7) on Saturday. The odds on this game have the Sharks at +148 and the Blue Jackets are at -180. The total has been set at 7.

The San Jose Sharks will need a bounce back game after taking a 6-3 defeat against the Penguins in the last game they played. San Jose recorded 6 mins in the box in this matchup. They also had 2 chances on the power play but weren't able to score. The Sharks offense showed they have some room for improvement in this loss. In the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 3 of the 32 shots they attempted.

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With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the San Jose Sharks have earned 143 goals (32nd in the National Hockey League) on the campaign and have given up 254. For the year, they have 39 points and their points percentage comes in at .300. San Jose comes into the game with 162 power play chances and they have scored 34 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 20.99%. While at even strength, the Sharks have allowed the opponent to score 199 goals while notching 109 of their own. San Jose has tried 1,656 shots and has a shot percentage of 8.6%. The Sharks so far have had 2,303 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .890. San Jose Sharks opponents have totaled 210 power play opportunities (10th in professional hockey) and have notched 55 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Magnus Chrona. Chrona has taken the ice for 7 contests throughout his NHL career. He has earned a win-loss mark of 1-4-1 and he was named the starter in 6 games. The opposition has scored 26 goals versus Chrona in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 4.43. Chrona has had 203 shots taken against him and has gathered 177 saves. He has a save percentage of .872 in his 352 minutes in the crease. Throughout his time in hockey, Chrona is sitting with 3 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .500.

In their last contest, Columbus faced off against the Senators in a matchup where the Blue Jackets got the tie by a score of 2-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this game and scored 1 out of those opportunities. The Blue Jackets converted 2 goals out of the 37 shots on goal they tried.

On the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a total of 192 goals, 55 points, as well as a points percentage of .417. They have allowed 236 goals to be scored by of a combination of 192 goals at even strength and 44 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have earned 166 goals at even strength and 26 goals (32nd in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have a tally of 183 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 14.21%. Columbus has put up 2,015 shots (19th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 9.53%, while allowing the opposition 2,209 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 76.84% on their opponents 190 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 89.3%.

Across the rink you are expected to see Daniil Tarasov protecting the goal. He has gathered 1,103 stops out of 1,224 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .901. Tarasov is the owner of a lifetime record of 10-22-3 and has been in net for 39 games. He has started in 36 games and has been on the ice for 2,109 mins. Tarasov's quality start percentage is 50.0% and he has made 18 quality starts in his career. Opponents are averaging 3.44 goals/game and he has given up 121 goals altogether.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (-180)

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