In the Crease - Week 8
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Toothless Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have been a tough team to figure out. While they're tied for the lead in the Pacific Division, they have the fourth-lowest goals scored total in the Western Conference. Despite the offensive woes, the Sharks are still 15-6 in their past 21 home games, and 5-1 in their past six at home against teams with a road winning percentage under .400. The 'under' is 20-3-5 in their past 28 games overall, and 6-0-3 in their past nine against Western Conference foes. The 'under is also 13-4-6 in their past 23 home games, while going 17-5-6 in their past 28 against teams with a losing overall record.
Duck, Duck...Push?
The Anaheim Ducks head into Tuesday's home game against the Montreal Canadiens on an amazing run. The total has pushed in seven consecutive games for Anaheim, with each of their past five games resulting in a 3-2 win or loss. The 'over' is 1-0-7 in their past eight games overall, the 'under' is 1-0-5 in their past six at home and the 'under' is 5-2-4 in their past 11 games against the Eastern Conference.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, Nov. 29
The Hurricanes head to Madison Square Garden to battle the Rangers, and MSG has been a House of Horrors for the Canes of late. Carolina is a dismal 6-21-1 in their past 28 trips to Manhattan. The home team is 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series. ... The Bruins are playing in their fourth game in the past six days. Lately, that has worked for them. They're 4-0 in their past four in the fourth game in a 4-in-6 situation. Playing in Philadelphia usually works for them, too. The B's are 4-1 in their past five trips to the City of Brotherly Love, and 17-5 in their past 22 meetings overall against the Fly Guys. ... The home team has won each of the past six meetings between the Coyotes and Sharks, while the Coyotes are 7-21 in their past 28 trips to San Jose.
Wednesday, Nov. 30
The Penguins and Islanders do battle in Brooklyn on Hump Day. The Penguins have rolled lately, going 11-5 in their past 16 trips to Brooklyn/Uniondale, while winning 36 of the past 51 meetings overall against the Isles. Pittsburgh is 22-6 in their past 28 against teams with an overall losing record, while New York is 3-13 in their past 16 against teams with a winning overall mark. ... The Sharks and Kings renew acquaintances in SoCal. San Jose has crowned the Kings in five straight meetings at Staples Center, while going 6-1 in their past seven overall in the series. The road team is 8-3 in the past 11 battles.
Thursday, Dec. 1
The Hurricanes blow into Boston looking to take down the Bruins. Four of the past five meetings in this series have went to overtime and/or a shootout. Carolina won both games in Boston last season, with one game decided in a shootout and another in overtime. The 'under' is 5-0-1 in the past six in this series. ... The Kings and Coyotes will battle for the first time this season. In 2015-16 the Coyotes went 3-1-1 against the Kings, winning both meetings at Staples Center. The 'over' went 2-0-3 in the five meetings. ... The Canucks host the Ducks, and they're looking to avenge a 4-2 loss in Anaheim back on Oct. 23. That was the only 'over' result in the past eight, as the 'under' is 6-1-1 in the past eight in this series.
Friday, Dec. 2
The Wild look to extinguish the Flames Friday night. It's the second meeting of the season, as the Flames won 1-0 in St. Paul back on Nov. 15. It was a rare win, as the Flames are just 3-6-1 in the past 10 meetings. The 'under' is 3-1-1 in the past five for the Flames at home, while the 'under' is 5-2-1 in the past eight games on the road for the Wild. ... Montreal hits the road for San Jose. The Habs have struggled on the road, going 1-3 in their past four away from Bell Centre, including a 10-0 beatdown in Columbus at the hands of the Blue Jackets Nov. 4. Last season the Habs were trampled 6-2 in San Jose on Feb. 29, and the Sharks swept the series outscoring Montreal 9-3. The Canadiens are a dismal 0-7-2 in their past nine trips to San Jose, last winning in the Bay Area Nov. 23, 1999 by a 3-2 score in overtime.