San Jose Sharks (0-7-2) vs. Utah Hockey Club (4-4-1)
With the advancement of the NHL season, a good clash is set to take place this Monday night at the Delta Center where the struggling San Jose Sharks will hope to avoid extending their winless record against a fairly good Utah Hockey Club. Both sports fans and bettors should check out NHL free picks today as they contemplate the drama of a team on the edge and a team on the run in the middle of their season.
The San Jose Sharks have started the current season on a rather poor note as there are some incomprehensible performances from some key players such as Mikael Granlund or Tyler Toffoli. Granlund is the man with the most points scored this season, 10 points, while Toffoli has 7, but most of their attempts remain unable owing to the defensive weakness of the entire team who have a -7 rating in terms of plus/minus. They show promise on the power play, but against the strong defense of the Utah Hockey Club at home, it is an uphill battle.
Rather, the offensive effort of the Utah Hockey Club seems well-balanced and led by Clayton Keller who has so far tallied 9 points this season. Besides him, who focuses on the D, Nick Schmaltz’s playmaking skills, and Logan Cooley who brought depth to the game, shape up concerning the already poor defense of the Sharks. Distributing scoring chances strategically the way Utah does, will help navigate any potential issues against the Sharks and come away with a win in this hammering contest.
San Jose Sharks vs. Utah Hockey Club Game Info
| When: | Monday, October 28, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Delta Center |
| TV: | NBCS |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Goaltender Connor Ingram
Mackenzie Blackwood has recorded no wins in five appearances and has a save percentage of .897. His struggle epitomizes the struggles the Sharks face on a larger defensive scale. Playing against a team like Utah, who are able to score as well as make good use of the power plays, would likely make Blackwood look very bad if he cannot raise his performance bar a lot on game night.
On the other side, Connor Ingram for Utah, even with a save percentage of .862 still negative, has managed to win games thanks to having a better team defense and critical goals. Ingram’s displaying of composure and poise under pressure however is not able to perform miracles but has been enough to win games, which may be enough to outlast a Sharks team that has not been able to adequately put the ball in the back of the net.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Utah Hockey Club -213, Total Odds: 6
The current betting odds reflect the stark contrast in team performances. Utah’s favored status (-213) indicates confidence from the oddsmakers in their ability to handle a winless Sharks squad. The over/under at 6 goals suggests expectations of a relatively high-scoring affair, likely banking on Utah’s offense pushing the pace.
San Jose Sharks Betting Trends
The Sharks’ recent form is telling, with a 0-5 record in their last five games and similar struggles against the spread. Their inability to close out games, coupled with defensive lapses, has made them a risky bet this season. Puckline bettors have found little reprieve as well, with San Jose failing to cover in most outings.
Utah Hockey Club Betting Trends
Utah’s recent form paints a picture of resilience, with a 3-2 record in their last five games and a solid 4-1 against the spread. Their capacity to perform in close games and their stronger showings on the road against the spread (3-2) might indicate a growing cohesiveness that could pose problems for the Sharks.
San Jose Sharks vs. Utah Hockey Club 10/28/24 Betting Picks
As the teams prepare for Monday night’s clash, the Sharks’ struggle to find their first win of the season casts a long shadow over their prospects. Conversely, Utah’s more balanced and opportunistic play makes them the safer bet. The Sharks may find it challenging to contain Utah’s diverse attack, particularly if Ingram holds his ground in the net.
For those looking at prop bets, considering Utah to cover the puckline might offer value, given their consistent performance against the spread. The total going over also seems plausible, especially if Utah capitalizes on their offensive chances against a shaky Sharks defense. In conclusion, with Utah’s stronger team dynamics and the Sharks’ ongoing struggles, placing a top live betting wager on Utah to win and cover the spread, along with betting the over on the total, appears to be a prudent choice.
Free Pick and Prediction: Utah Hockey Club 5, San Jose Sharks 2
