With six games scheduled today, the NHL will be competing with the NFL for viewership on Sunday. It's an all-day schedule in the NHL, with two afternoon games scheduled before a four-game evening slate takes over. Underdogs had a day yesterday, knocking off four of the nine favorites. As usual, we're breaking down a pair of games in our NHL Betting Guide, highlighting favorable betting spots to enter the market.
These are the wagers we're looking at from FanDuel Sportsbook.
20 games into the season, and you can count the number of times the Chicago Blackhawks have outplayed their opponents on the one hand. The Hawks host the San Jose Sharks as they embark on a five-game road trip.
The Blackhawks have looked out of sorts this season, posting the worst expected goals-for percentage at five-on-five. Their recent stretch hasn't offered much of a reprieve as they've outplayed two of their past seven opponents. The Hawks' one-dimensional offense has been the reason for their bad start to the season. Opponents can plan to neutralize the Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat line, leaving the Hawks with no other option to generate scoring. Chicago hasn't attempted more than eight high-danger chances at five-on-five since November 7, out-chancing their opponents just twice over that span.
Chicago will have to compete with a Sharks team that is due for an offensive breakout. San Jose has attempted 10 or more high-danger chances in five straight games but has totaled just 10 goals over that span, scoring more than two goals just once. Those strong production metrics have contributed to an expected goals-for rating above 50.0% in three of five games. The Sharks are underachieving in both regards, going under their expected goals-for total in four of five games and winning only twice over the five-game stretch.
It's hard to believe, but the Hawks have overachieved relative to their metrics this season at seven wins. We're expecting a solid showing from San Jose in this one and their output to start catching up with their production metrics. We're backing the Sharks as plus-money underdogs tonight.
The Picks: Sharks +102
