The Toronto Maple Leafs host the red hot San Jose Sharks, Monday Feb 8, as the Leafs look to win another game for their GM Brian Burke. This is the lone meeting between the teams, they last met on Dec. 2, 2008 when the Sharks won 5-2. NHL oddsmakers at SPORTSBETTING.com have the Sharks as -160 moneyline favorites over the Leafs (+140) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your San Jose Sharks vs Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Predictions in now at SPORTSBETTING.com
The Sharks (38-11-3-6) have won eight of ten and have won five of their last five on the road. They are 19-6-1-1 on the road where they average 3.26 GAG and allow 2.44 GAG. They recently won in Nashville 4-3. They got goals from Brad Staubitz, Dany Heatley (2) and Rob Blake. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov stopped 35 of 38 shots and is 7-3 in his last ten for a 2.10 GAA. Overall he’s 32-8-9 with a 2.25 GAA and a .927 SVPCT. San Jose continues to roll as the Western Conference's top team. Both of Heatley's goals against the Predators came via the power play, making for a total 32 goals this season. Thornton had two more assists, increasing his league-high to 58pts. The Sharks bolstered their defense by acquiring Niclas Wallin in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. He has spent all nine of his NHL seasons with Carolina, with 18 career goals and 51 assists. He played in 69 playoff games; the second-most in club history, helping the Hurricanes reach the Stanley Cup finals twice, winning it in 2006. The last time the Leafs and Sharks met the Sharks won 5-2, at home, Joe Thornton had a goal and three assists. Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is day-to-day with a lower-body injury
The Leafs (19-29-9-2) have lost seven of ten and have won three of their last five home games. They are 11-12-5-0 at home where they average 2.57 GAG and allow 2.89 GAG. They recently beat Ottawa 5-0 at home. They got goals from Phil Kessel (2), Luke Schenn (2) and Tyler Bozak. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped 30 of 30 and is 2-0 as a Leaf and 3-7 in his last ten. Overall he’s 6-8-5 with a 2.83 GAA and a .909 SVPCT. Newly acquired Goalie Giguere is the first goalie in Leafs history to record shutouts in his first two games with the club . Toronto won one for the Burke family on Saturday night. The entire League is mourning the loss of Brendan Burke, the son of Leafs GM Brian Burke. The 21-year-old passed away on Friday due to injuries suffered in a car accident in Indiana. Leafs center Mikhail Grabovski (wrist) hopes to return before the Olympic break, while defensemen Mike Komisarek (shoulder) and Mike Van Ryn (knee) are done for the season.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Toronto.
- Home team is 5-1-2 in the last 8 meetings.
- Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
- Sharks are 12-2 in their last 14 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Sharks are 14-3 in their last 17 games as a road favorite.
- Sharks are 8-2 in their last 10 vs. a team with a losing record.
San Jose Sharks vs Toronto Maple Leafs
When: Mon, Feb 08, 2010 7:00 PM ET
Line: SPORTSBETTING.com
Pick: Sharks -160
Point-Spreads.com San Jose Sharks vs Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Leafs might have inspiration, but the Sharks are just too hot. Be sure to get your San Jose Sharks vs Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Predictions in now at SPORTSBETTING.com and Cash in with sign-up bonuses, weekly reload bonuses and free payouts at SPORTSBETTING.com, where betting is safe, secure and easy.
