Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Sharks return home after getting swept on a five-game road trip, during which they were shutout twice and outscored by an overall 20-3 margin. The Canucks vie for a third straight road victory in Thursday’s contest. Vancouver is coming off a 5-2 victory over Nashville on Tuesday night, and have now skated to victory in four of their past five contests to maintain control of second place in the Pacific Division standings.
The Canucks have roared to heavy -210 favourites on the Thursday NHL odds, and are also a short +115 puckline bet to earn the win by a multi-goal margin. The total is pegged at 6.5, with the UNDER sporting -115 odds.
Canucks vs. Sharks NHL Betting Odds
The Canucks have dominated the Sharks in recent head-to-head play, winning nine straight including five straight victories in San Jose. The Canucks have filled the net during their 9-0-0 run against the Sharks, averaging 5.11 goals per game and potting 19 total goals over their past three meetings. Not surprisingly, the OVER has paid out in each of the past eight meetings between these teams.
Overall, the Canucks have seen four of their six wins to date come by multi-goal margins, and have won three of their first away contests this season. The Sharks have been a trainwreck in the early going of the campaign, scoring one or fewer goals in eight of their nine outings, and have been shutout three times while losing 13 of 14 overall since March 6.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have received contributions from up and down the lineup during one of their fastest season starts in recent years. Elias Pettersson has been on fire since opening night, challenging for the league lead in points with five goals and 16 points, and extended his points streak to three games with a hat trick in Tuesday’s win over the Preds. Quinn Hughes added a trio of helpers in Tuesday’s win and has now turned in multi-point performances in three of four home appearances, but has picked up just one goal and two helpers in five road games.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks’ dismal start has sparked whispers about their potential to smash records for futility this season. With Logan Couture, Mikael Granlund, and Alexander Barabanov all sidelined indefinitely, goals have come at a premium. Tomas Hertl has done what he can while compiling a team-high five points, and is the only Sharks player with more than two assists this season.
The Sharks’ lack of production is far from surprising considering they have averaged just 24.6 shots on goals, and have been outshot in all nine games to date, and by an average margin of 13.8 shots per game. That has made life miserable for starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who has been lit up for 21 total goals in his six appearances to date, but has compiled a very respectable .907 save percentage.
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