Tampa Bay (11-2-2) at San Jose (8-5-0)
When: Wednesday, November 8th 2017
Where: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
Time: 10:35 ET | TV: NBC Sports Network
Opening Odds: San Jose -115/5.5
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The surging San Jose Sharks continue their five-game homestand when they entertain the Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night at SAP Center. Tampa Bay is starting a three-game California trip with Anaheim and Los Angeles up next, and have dropped two of their last four games and avoided a third defeat during that stretch by outlasting Columbus 5-4 in a shootout Saturday. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who owns at least a point in 11 straight games, will take on another red-hot goalie in Martin Jones on Wednesday. Jones (7-3-0, 1.98 goals-against average) has allowed no more than two goals in eight straight games and was named the NHL’s third star of the week on Monday. The Sharks have won four straight and have allowed only nine goals in their last six games after edging Anaheim 2-1 in a shootout Saturday. San Jose won the last three meetings, including a 2-1 triumph in San Jose last season, and six of the past eight.
Captain Steven Stamkos leads the NHL with 25 points and linemate Nikita Kucherov leads the way with 14 goals while seven players have recorded double-figure points after 15 games. Brayden Point (seven goals, 16 points) centers the second line with Yanni Gourde, who has scored in three straight games, and Ondrej Palat (four goals, nine points). Norris Trophy finalist Victor Hedman has just one goal in the first 15 games after scoring a career-high 16 in 2016-17, but has 10 assists – five in the last three. Former Penguin Chris Kunitz is scheduled to play his 900th NHL game on Wednesday.
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San Jose is looking to get healthy on the defensive end as Marc-Edouard Vlasic (concussion) is scheduled back after a one-game absence and veteran Paul Martin (ankle) is closing in on his season debut. Center Logan Couture leads the offense with eight goals (three on the power play) and 12 points while captain Joe Pavelski is tied for second on the team with four goals and needs one to reach 300 in his career. Kevin Labanc, who has seven points but only one in the last six games, was reassigned to the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda. The Sharks are second in the league at killing-off power plays (89.6) and second in goals against (2.3).
The Lightning have cooled-off some after a torrid start, while San Jose is starting to find their groove. It should be a great battle in net tonight, but I think the Sharks pull this one out at home.
Pick: Sharks -115
- Lightning are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
- Lightning are 18-6 in their last 24 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Lightning are 20-7 in their last 27 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Lightning are 19-7 in their last 26 overall.
- Lightning are 19-7 in their last 26 Wednesday games.
- Lightning are 37-16 in their last 53 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Lightning are 9-4 in their last 13 games following a win.
- Lightning are 26-63 in their last 89 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Sharks are 5-0 in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
- Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Sharks are 5-0 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 home games.
- Sharks are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Atlantic.
- Sharks are 46-16 in their last 62 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Sharks are 15-6 in their last 21 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Sharks are 10-4 in their last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 6-0-1 in Lightning last 7 Wednesday games.
- Over is 10-1-1 in Lightning last 12 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Under is 8-2-1 in Lightning last 11 vs. Pacific.
- Over is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 6-2 in Lightning last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 road games.
- Over is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 5-2 in Lightning last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Over is 9-4 in Lightning last 13 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 6-0 in Sharks last 6 overall.
- Under is 3-0-2 in Sharks last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Under is 2-0-3 in Sharks last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Under is 4-0 in Sharks last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Under is 6-1-1 in Sharks last 8 vs. Atlantic.
- Over is 4-1-4 in Sharks last 9 Wednesday games.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Sharks last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 5-2 in Sharks last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 32-13-10 in Sharks last 55 home games.
- Under is 34-15-18 in Sharks last 67 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 29-14-16 in Sharks last 59 games following a win.
- Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in San Jose.
- Over is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings.
- Lightning are 3-9-1 in the last 13 meetings in San Jose.
- Lightning are 4-12 in the last 16 meetings.
- Road team is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
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