NHL Hockey Free Pick: San Jose Sharks vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team records:
San Jose: 38-11-9
Toronto: 19-29-11
Tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Sharks -150, Maple Leafs +130
Despite their low perch in the standings, the Leafs are a tricky team to figure out at the sportsbook of late. Jean-Sebastien Giguere has back-to-back shutouts since arriving in a trade from Anaheim. More importantly, Dion Phaneuf has affected the team in several ways since the Leafs acquired him in a blockbuster deal a week ago. His physicality is rubbing off on his teammates and his presence on the power play has opened up space for Phil Kessel, who has six points in his last three games. Lastly and sadly, the death of general manager Brian Burke’s son Brendan proved to be a major motivator on the weekend, as the Leafs dominated the Senators in an emotional victory the day after the tragedy.
With all that momentum, can the Leafs topple the juggernaut San Jose Sharks? I don’t think so. The Leafs certainly won’t make it easy but the Sharks have two of the most notorious Leaf killers in the post-lockout era. Dany Heatley has 27 goals and 50 points in just 37 career games against Toronto. At the Air Canada Centre, he has 16 goals in 18 games. His linemate Joe Thornton has six points in his last two games against the Leafs. Expect an entertaining game but the Sharks are just too elite for the Leafs to handle.
NHL Betting Trends:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto’s last 7 games when playing at home against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto’s last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto’s last 10 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
San Jose is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Pick: Sharks -150
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Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
