This is a 4* BIG-CHALK CHOKE-OUT on the San Jose Sharks.

I've always been a fan of the phrase: "sometimes a favorite is a favorite for a reason"; in this particular situation, that phrase simply could not be more apt. I think the home side comes in focused on the task at hand and does not look past its lowly opponent. San Jose is gunning for its fourth straight win after beating a very tough Nashville team 2-0 on Saturday. After a slow start, San Jose starting goaltender Antti Niemi has come on like gang-busters, he posted his second shutout of the year after missing three games; and a date vs. the punchless Oilers is just what the doctor ordered for Niemi who has not only won his last five starts overall while posting a 2.20 GAA in the process, but who is also 4-0-1 with a 2.13 GAA vs. Edmonton in San Jose. The Shark have been getting the job done on both ends of the ice as well, they've given up just seven total goals over the team's last five games, which obvoiusly doesn't bode well for Edmonton, which is 1-11-5 dating to November 11th after Tuesday's 2-1 OT loss in Arizona. Note that Oilers starting goaltender Ben Scrivens is 1-3-0 with a 4.04 GAA in his last four vs. San Jose. Some times I feel that it's necessary to completely dissect a matchup, looking at situational, motivational and trend based factors, while in others I think a more "common sense" approach is the best way to go, and that's definitely the case here. Lay the price with confidence, play on SAN JOSE.

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