Coyotes vs. Sharks NHL – Arizona Coyotes (15-13-2) will face San Jose Sharks (9-19-3) this Thursday at 10:30 PM ET at SAP Center in San Jose and stream live via ESPN+ livestreamed live. Fans looking for NHL free pick opportunities shouldn’t miss this gripping contest between two powerhouse teams looking for dominance when they meet on the ice; each will make every attempt possible to gain an edge! Don’t miss it!
Arizona Coyotes vs. San Jose Sharks
Date & Time: Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:30 PM ET
Location: SAP Center at San Jose
TV: ESPN+
Coyotes vs. Sharks NHL Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puckline | Total |
| Coyotes | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Sharks | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Arizona Coyotes Analysis
This season, Arizona Coyotes offensive strategy has been an effective blend of agility and precise playmaking led by right wing Clayton Keller. Keller has scored 26 points in 30 games to become an important source for scoring opportunities on his team. Keller’s ability to score goals combined with his creativity for creating assists makes him an insurmountable obstacle for any defense. Matias Maccelli and Nick Schmaltz have been key figures in supporting Keller’s efforts as well. Maccelli and Schmaltz add depth to the Coyotes’ offense, contributing positively with positive plus/minus ratings and consistent point contributions, respectively. Their combined efforts will play an essential part in breaking down an otherwise solid Sharks defense that has proven vulnerable this season.
Defensively, the Coyotes depend heavily on goaltender Connor Ingram. With his impressive stats such as a 0.923 save percentage and 2.41 goals against per game, Ingram’s performance has been an integral component in their defensive resilience – particularly on road games where they have had better success against the spread. His defensive line in front of Ingram has shown the ability to limit high-quality chances. Together these factors form an impregnable barrier which may prove challenging for Sharks offensive consistency this season.
San Jose Sharks Analysis
San Jose Sharks have had difficulty in their offense this season, particularly on offense. Center Tomas Hertl has been one of the few bright spots on their team with 26 points scored and set-up. His ability to find the net and set plays has provided them with some much-needed scoring chances. However, their offensive output has fallen short. Players such as Mikael Granlund and William Eklund, although talented, have not consistently translated their abilities into points for the team. Granlund and Eklund must fully realize their playmaking and goal scoring potential for the Sharks to pose any real threat against Coyotes’ defense. Ingram has been in exceptional form so the Sharks must find ways to penetrate Coyotes defensive setup and test his skills against Ingram as an opponent.
Mackenzie Blackwood has played an instrumental role in the Sharks’ defensive struggles. With an average goals-against rating of 3.75 and save percentage of 0.897, Blackwood has faced unique difficulties keeping pucks out of his net. Coyotes goaltender Jake Blackwood must do their part to protect Blackwood by reducing both quality and quantity of shots that reach his net. In order for the Sharks to have any chance against Arizona, tighter defense in their zone and better puck control are both vital in order to limit Coyotes offensive forays. Improving their defensive game will be essential if they want a chance in this matchup given both teams’ recent form.
Arizona Coyotes vs. San Jose Sharks Against the Spread
The Coyotes have been quite effective against the spread, with four wins out of their last five matches against betting expectations proving consistent over this stretch. On their travels they boast an excellent record against spread betting which may work in their favor.
At the other end of the spectrum lies the Sharks, who have struggled both overall and against the spread in recent games, posting a record of just 1-4 over their last five contests – which may serve as an indicator that this team tends to fall short of expectations, something which could play into this matchup significantly.
Arizona Coyotes vs. San Jose Sharks Free Pick
Based on the odds, trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Arizona Coyotes. Their stronger overall performance and better record suggest a higher probability of victory.
Spread: Arizona Coyotes. Given their superior performance against the spread, they are a safer bet.
Total: Over. Both teams have a tendency for games with higher scoring totals.
Predicted Score: Arizona Coyotes 4, San Jose Sharks 2.
This matchup appears to favor the Arizona Coyotes in terms of both direct win probability and performance against the spread. Canadian betting websites seem to favour them due to their superior team composition and consistent play this season.
