San Jose Sharks vs Utah Mammoth Betting Picks

The Mammoth aren't sorry to see November end. They finished the month with a 4-8-3 record. That was the worst mark in the NHL. The oddsmaker knows what he is doing, and he's installed Utah as a mid-sized road favorite against San Jose. The Sharks have cooled off since winning six of seven games from Oct. 30 to Nov. 11. Since then, they are 4-5. San Jose ranks 21st defensively. The Sharks permit the most shots on goal, too. So they need to be putting the puck in the net. However, that hasn't been the case too often as the Sharks have failed to score more than three goals in regulation during their last 12 games. They are giving up an average of 4 goals per game over their previous three games. While the Sharks yield the most shots on goal, the defensive-minded Mammoth give up the fewest shots on net. Utah is eager to start this new month with a win. The Mammoth has the right opponent to do just that. Take the Mammoth.

The Sharks are back to scuffling. After pulling off four consecutive upset victories, San Jose has fallen back to Earth, losing its last two games, getting blanked by Calgary, 2-0, this past Thursday, and falling, 4-1, to Seattle three days ago. The Sharks have scored only eight goals over their last five games, averaging 1.6 per game. The Mammoth are better than San Jose on both sides and are anxious to put consecutive overtime losses to the Ducks and Islanders behind them. The Mammoth squandered a one-goal lead against the Ducks with five seconds left in regulation. Utah defeated San Jose, 6-3, when it hosted the Sharks on Oct. 17. Utah had 34 shots on goal to San Jose's 21 in that victory. The Mammoth catch the Sharks back for their first home game following a three-game road trip, so San Jose's focus may be off. Take the Mammoth. 

Utah defeated Colorado 4-1 on Thursday for its fifth road win in a row and fourth in six games overall. Dylan Guenther had two goals and an assist to back Karel Vejmelka, who had 23 saves. San Jose has lost three of four, although it got a 4-3 win over St. Louis on Thursday, which ended a six-game road trip. The Sharks will be a tired team as they haven't played a home game since November 29 and have scored only ten goals in their past five games. San Jose is 11-45 in its past 56 Saturday games. Alexandar Georgiev is expected to make his second start with the Sharks after being traded from Colorado. He allowed three goals on Thursday, but he still has a 3.36 goals-against average and an .873 save percentage this season. Vejmelka will start again for Utah with a 2.36 GAA this year. Take Utah.