The San Jose Sharks (29-35-5) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (31-30-8) in a Wednesday-night (8 p.m. ET) contest at the United Center. We analyze the San Jose-Chicago odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Sharks at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies
Martin Jones vs. Corey Crawford
Jones owns a 3.00 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage through 41 games. The 30-year-old veteran has been solid of late, posting a 2.25 GAA and .918 SV% in nine games since the All-Star break. Jones last appeared in a game on Sunday, allowing the Avalanche four goals on 24 shots in a 4-3 loss in San Jose. He is making his first road start since Feb. 23.
Crawford has recorded a 2.79 GAA and .916 SV% in 39 games this season. Injured the last two seasons, his 40th game tonight will mark his most since 2016-17 (55). Crawford has been sharp since becoming the Blackhawks’ definitive No. 1 netminder after the trade of Robin Lehner to Vegas. He’s carded a .927 SV% over his last 10 games. Crawford has been particularly sharp at home over that stretch (.939 SV% in four games).
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Sharks at Blackhawks: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Chicago 3, San Jose 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Blackhawks’ offense disappeared over the team’s last two games (one goal combined) but was solid in a four-game stretch before that (17 goals plus a shootout winner). Some of that drop-off likely comes from fewer power-play opportunities in recent games after getting things going in that department in late February. Enter the Sharks, the fourth-most penalized team in the NHL, and that bodes well for the ‘Hawks leveraging the man advantage.
San Jose has posted better puck-possession and shot-type signals of late, but the Blackhawks are a couple clicks south of their Pythagorean expectation (won-loss record based on goals for and against). Both teams are playing with two days’ rest: Chicago is 9-4 in such situations; the Sharks are 6-11. San Jose is also just 1-5 when opening a road trip after a multiple-game home stand.
Will take CHICAGO -167.
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Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
San Jose hasn’t lost by multiple goals since Feb. 25. The erratic Chicago defense has yielded just 25 shots per game over its last three contests; the ‘Hawks allowed 38.5 shots per game over the four games prior.
PASS on the puck line (Chicago -1.5, +165 / San Jose +1.5, -200)
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (+115) is worth consideration and is a slight lean here. But Jones is more prone to a shaky four-goal game than most, and just a few games back the Chicago offense was clicking. The price here isn’t quite enough to trigger a play, so check the odds to see if they move in a positive direction.
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