Pittsburgh Penguins vs
San Jose SharksPredictions & Preview

Sharks aim to break losing streak against struggling Penguins as Malkin injury opens the door

The NHL continues its betting action on Monday, January 27 with five games, including a matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center. This game marks the conclusion of their two-game regular-season series, with Pittsburgh coming out on top in their previous meeting back in November. The Penguins are currently favored to win with opening odds of -165, which have remained unchanged. Stay tuned for our NHL pick for this game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Penguins -165 | Sharks +142
• Spread: Penguins -1.5 (+148) | Sharks +1.5 (-172)
• Total: Over/Under 6.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Pittsburgh will win straight-up is 62%.

Pittsburgh vs San Jose Stats

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled recently, winning only three of their last 13 games. Despite starting their seven-game road trip with a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, they have since gone 1-3-0, losing to the Anaheim Ducks and the Seattle Kraken. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will likely start in their upcoming game, holding a 9-8-4 record with a 3.26 GAA and .893 save percentage. The Penguins have struggled defensively, allowing 3.63 goals per game, while averaging 2.92 goals scored. Forwards Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin are questionable for the next game, with Rust sitting out the last game and Malkin playing limited minutes before a lower-body injury. Pittsburgh currently ranks 17th in offense, 32nd in defense, and has a season record of 20-23-8 with a power ranking of 9.

San Jose Sharks Analysis

The San Jose Sharks are currently experiencing a significant slump, going 1-9-0 over their last 10 games and extending their losing streak to six games. In their recent game against the Florida Panthers, the Sharks had a 2-1 lead in the first period but ultimately succumbed to a 7-2 defeat. Goalies Alexandar Georgiev and Yaroslav Askarov struggled, with Georgiev having a 4.02 GAA and .877 save percentage, and Askarov having a 3.04 GAA and .899 save percentage. The team currently ranks 30th in offense and 31st in defense, allowing 3.67 goals per game while scoring 2.63. Additionally, the Sharks have five players on the injured reserve list, including center Nico Sturm and defenseman Jan Rutta, who is listed as questionable for their upcoming game against the Penguins. Despite Pittsburgh's recent struggles against San Jose, the Sharks are currently ranked 29th in power rankings with a 14-32-6 overall record.

Malkin's Injury Opens Door for Sharks to Break Losing Streak Against Penguins

It appears that Malkin may have sustained a knee injury last Saturday, possibly causing him to miss the upcoming Sharks game. Without Bryan Rust in the lineup, the Sharks could have an opportunity to break their losing streak. This match-up features two struggling teams with issues on the defensive end, leaving the outcome uncertain. Considering the high-scoring nature of their previous meeting, another shootout would not be unexpected. Therefore, betting on the Penguins at -160 seems risky. I recommend supporting the Sharks and considering a change in goaltending to Yaroslav Askarov over Alexandar Georgiev.

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