New York Islanders at San Jose Sharks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s New York Islanders at San Jose Sharks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Islanders (16-3-1) travel cross country to face the San Jose Sharks (11-11-1) at SAP Center Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Sharks odds and lines while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Islanders at Sharks: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov vs. Martin Jones

Varlamov has a 7-2-1 record with a 2.70 goals against average and .912 save percentage. He looks to rebound after giving up a whopping 12 goals in his previous three starts.

Jones has a 8-8-1 record with a 3.34 GAA and .885 SV%. He has won four of his last five starts but has given up three or more goals in four straight outings. Jones has seen one 30-plus shot game over the previous five starts.


Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.


Islanders at Sharks: 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 at 10:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Sharks 4, Islanders 2

Moneyline (ML)

The SHARKS (-110) are almost dead even on the moneyline at home despite winning six of their last seven games. Yes, the goaltending is less than optimal but San Jose is more than capable of outscoring its goaltender.

The Sharks should be able to take advantage of an Islanders team on the first leg of their West Coast trip.

A $10 bet with San Jose results in a $9.09 profit with an outright win for the Sharks.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

A fast start is vital for the Sharks here. This one is tough but lean to San Jose (-1.5, +215) for the heavy value.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-134) is dangling a carrot and we are taking this hook, line, and sinker. Yes, it carries some inherent risk, but San Jose could score four or more by themselves if Varlamov starts. They have a familiarity with him from his days with the Colorado Avalanche.

Placing a $10 bet here will give a bettor a decent $7.46 profit with a total of six or more goals scored.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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Great white shark breach catches scientist by surprise

A Massachusetts scientist has discovered that it pays to be quick on your feet while trying to capture footage of great white sharks.

A Massachusetts marine biologist has discovered, for the second time in as many years, that it pays to be quick on your feet while trying to capture footage of great white sharks with a pole-cam.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3ncQ1S4jxs]

The accompanying footage, released Tuesday by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, shows a 9-foot white shark breaching directly beneath Greg Skomal as he stands on the pulpit of a research vessel off Cape Cod.

RELATED: Can you spot the hidden object in this great white shark photo?

Skomal jumps and shuffles his feet in a startled attempt to distance himself from the shark, which was ultimately tagged as part of an ongoing scientific effort by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

Great white shark breaches at feet of Greg Skomal. Photo: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

The footage, captured Nov. 11, shows the primary breach from both sides of the vessel and somebody, perhaps Skomal, can be heard shouting, “Jesus Christ!”

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy stated on Facebook:

“While encounters like this one are rare, this video shows that they can occur. White sharks are wild and unpredictable animals. This is a good reminder of the importance of following safety tips and always staying vigilant when in or on the water.”

Greg Skomal moments before 2018 close encounter. Photo: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

That’s the same statement issued in June 2018, when a large white shark breached directly beneath Skomal, who exclaimed moments afterward, “Did you see that? Did you see that? It came right up and opened its mouth right at my feet!”

Skomal, who works for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and fellow researchers have tagged more than 50 white sharks this season as part of a longterm behavioral study, according to the Cape Cod Times.

–Video and images are courtesy of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy