Blue Jackets vs Sharks NHL Line & Handicapping
Columbus Aims to Maintain Recent Dominance Over San Jose Sharks
The Columbus Blue Jackets head to San Jose Friday night to take on a Sharks team that they have inexplicably have owned the last couple of seasons – winning four straight against the perennial powers of the West.
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Columbus (29-23-3-1) at San Jose (36-16-1-5)
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, February 7, 2014
Where: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
Broadcast: NHLN-CA, FS-O, CSN-CA
Jackets vs. Sharks Betting Lines
Columbus Blue Jackets +1½ -190 +157 Ov 5½ +119 Ov 2½ +110 Un 2½ -140
San Jose Sharks -1½ +165 -173 Un 5½ -131 Ov 2½ -165 Un 2½ +135
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The Blue Jackets have been good of late gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games while the Sharks have lost four of their last six games ahead of Friday night`s clash. The Jackets lost 2-1 last night to the Kings, so the Sharks should be the fresher of the two teams.
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Everything seems to be going right for the Columbus Blue Jackets at the present time. They are scoring goals (except for last night) and they are keeping the puck out of the net. It all adds up to the Jackets jumping into contention for a playoff spot in the Western Conference,
Columbus has been filling the net since the start of 2014. In fact they are scoring a league-best 3.83 goals per game since Jan. 11. Ryan Johansen has six points – four goals in his last four games, Nathan Horton and Nick Foligno have three points in three points in three games, RJ Umberger has two points in two games, Boone Jenner has four points in four games and James Wisniewski has two points in his last two games. Everyone is contributing offensively for this team – last night`s one goal output seems to be the exception, not the rule.
It is unclear who will be between the pipes for the Jackets Friday – Sergei Bobrovsky has started four straight for Columbus going 3-0-1 in those starts and giving up a total of just seven goals over that span. He has been on fire and if called upon will be tough to beat. It could be Curtis McElhinney between the pipes – he is a major step down from Bobrovsky.
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The San Jose Sharks are in the midst of an uncharacteristic goal drought. The Sharks have been held to fewer than three tallies in regulation in eight straight contests and 11 of their last 15. Brett Burns has just one point in eight games, Patrick Marleau is pointless in three games and Dan Boyle hasn`t hit the score sheet in his last nine games! Another Olympian and team leader in points for San Jose Joe Pavelski has just one goal in his last six games which explains why the Sharks as a whole are struggling.
The Sharks power play is 1 for its last 24 – not good going into their last game before the Olympic break.
Antti Niemi should get the call for San Jose Friday – he is 0-2-0 with a 5.48 GAA in his last three starts against Columbus although backup Alex Stalock has been the better of the two keepers lately.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• CLB are 11-3 in their last 14 overall.
• Over is 18-7-1 in CLB last 26 overall.
• Over is 19-8-4 in CLB last 31 Fri. games.
• Under is 7-1-1 in SJ last 9 home games.
• Under is 13-2-1 in SJ last 16 overall.
• SJ are 43-14 in their last 57 home games.
• CLB are 4-19 in the last 23 meetings in San Jose.
• Home team is 23-9 in the last 32 meetings.
The San Jose Sharks are in a rare funk, particularly on home ice and they have definitely had their issues with the Columbus Blue Jackets the last couple of years. But these are the Sharks we are talking about – one of the best home teams on the planet the last few years. Add in the fact that Columbus played last night while the Sharks were home in bed and San Jose looks to be in a good position here. I don`t necessarily like the price but I like San Jose to prevail Friday night.
Pick: San Jose Sharks -173
