New Jersey Devils at San Jose Sharks Betting Odds
Opening Moneyline: New Jersey +130 / San Jose -150 O/U 5.5 goals
Time: 10:30 PM EST Tuesday March 2, 2010 on Versus
Tonight in the first game after the Olympic break for both teams the San Jose Sharks host the New Jersey Devils. The Sharks have the best record in the West and while the Devils have the 2nd best record in the East, but only had a record of 3-5-2 in their last 10 games before the break.
In their last games before the 2-week Olympic hiatus both teams lost, as New Jersey lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 and San Jose lost to the Buffalo Sabres 3-1.
New Jersey does not have a strong offense only averaging 2.56 goals per game, which ranks 21st in the league, but their defense is solid only allowing an average of 2.33 goals per game.
One of the main reasons the Devils' defense has been so good has been the play of G Martin Brodeur (34 wins 2.32 GAA save percentage 91.5%). However, he was demoted to backup on team Canada after struggling in the beginning of the Olympics and in his last 8 games for the New Jersey he was only 3-4-1 with a 3.20 GAA.
Brodeur and the New Jersey defense has to contend with San Jose's Joe Thornton, who ranks 5th in the league in points (75), and Patrick Marleau, who ranks 3rd in the league in goals (38).
Many teams got a much-needed rest with the Olympics, but these 2 teams were not in that group, as several players for each team participated in Vancouver.
New Jersey's Zach Parise had some Olympic glory and he is the big gun on offense for the Devils leading them in goals (28) and points (61).
San Jose is not only the 2nd highest scoring team in the league, but they are also solid on the defensive end of the ice only allowing an average of 2.37 goals per game.
The Devils' offense has to score against San Jose G Evgeni Nabokov (34 wins 2.26 GAA save percentage 92.8%), who ranks 5th in the league in GAA, 3rd in save percentage, and 3rd in wins.
New Jersey is 1-4 in their last 5 games, has an Under record of 4-1-1 in their last 6 games against teams with a winning record, and has an Over record of 7-2-2 in their last 11 games against teams in the Western Conference.
San Jose is 5-1 in their last 6 games against teams with a winning percentage above 60%, has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 games, and has an Over record of 6-1 in their last 7 games against teams with a winning road record.
Our Selection : Hard to gauge how teams are going to play after more than 2 weeks off, so we are going to make a small play on the emotional angle. Four of the Sharks top players just won the gold medal and should be on a extreme high and should be able to carry their strong play into this game. The Devils were strugging before the break and their top scorer suffered the disapoinment of losing the gold medal on Sunday. Martin Brodeur was only 3-4-1 with a 3.20 GAA just before the break and was demoted to backup on team Canada after struggling in the beginning of the Olympics. San Jose should be able to win this game easy. Take San Jose -.5 +105 in 60 Mins.
Future Betting Odds
NHL Handicapping
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