San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers
Free Pick: under 5.5 goals
Apr 2, 2009 9:30PM – Click here for NHL Odds
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Edmonton suffered a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Ducks last time out. While that game finished well above the number, the Oilers have typically responded to those type of losses with a better defensive effort in their next game. In fact, the ‘under’ is 15-4-1 the last 20 times that they were coming off a loss by two goals or more.

It’s true that the Sharks bring some dangerous offensive weapons to the table and also that they come in averaging a respectable 3.2 goals per game. However, a closer look shows that they’ve only managed seven goals over their past three games and that they’ve scored more than three goals just twice during their last 11.

The San Jose defense has more than picked up the slack. Last time out, the Sharks held the Flames to a single goal, en route to a 2-1 win. That marked the fourth time in six games that they held an opponent to two goals or less and fifth time in six games that the opposing team scores three or less. For the season, the Sharks are allowing just 2.5 goals per game, which ranks among the best in the league.

The Sharks have seen the ‘under’ go 19-11 this season, when playing a road game with a total of 5.5. Looking back further and we find the ‘under’ at a profitable 107-71 their last 178 road games with a total of 5.5. During the same stretch, the Oilers have seen the ‘under’ go 129-83 when playing a home game with a total of 5.5.

Looking at the series history and we find the ‘under’ at 7-1-2 the last 10 times that these teams faced each other. It’s also interesting to note that the ‘under’ has gone 11-1-3 the last 15 times that the Oilers played in the month of April. Consider the Under 5.5.

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