NHL Preview: San Jose Sharks

Charlie Boccanegra sees the overhauled Sharks the clear favorites to win the Pacific.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson has made major moves after the Sharks have failed in the playoffs before and this year is no different.

Last year it was the goalie swap of Niemi for Nabokov. This offseason the number one priority was the defense. Wilson brought in all star caliber defenseman Brent Burns who will bring some offense to the back end and also play a physical shut down style of hockey.

This may be that final piece to take the Sharks to the next level because it will alleviate some of the offensive pressure from Dan Boyle making him more effective. This also allows Murray to play in the second pairing with Vlasic, which should be a good, shut down pairing, and a good 3rd pairing with veteran stay at home defender Colin White playing opposite young smooth skating puck mover Jason Demers.

Even with the departure of Heatley and Setoguchi in the trade to Minnesota I don’t expect a step back offensively. With Burns they also received Havlat whose skill level is comparable to Heatley. Most importantly, it will allow the youngsters on the second line more playing time and a bigger role on the team. Couture, Clowe and Pavelski could be the best second line in the NHL.

The Sharks will be a team in a lot of high scoring games even with Burns making the team better defensively he brings just as much offensively. Plus, I’m not sold on Anti Niemi he’s decent, but not great. A goalie I see not losing games instead of stealing or winning them.

The Sharks often get off to slow starts because of long playoff runs the previous years. It’s hard for them to be motivated early in the regular season when they don’t it doesn’t mean anything and will make the playoffs no matter what. Look to bet against them early in the year, but make sure to back off or bet on them when their standard hot streaks begin around December.

The best NHL betting option for the Sharks this year is OVER their regular season points total listed at 103.5. Even with some of the slow starts the past few years they have eclipsed that total in five consecutive seasons. This team did not get worse with the new additions so no reason to see an overall decline.

In addition, they are +170 win the Pacific division which is tremendous value given that Dallas and Phoenix will be significantly worse after losing their best players in the offseason. While Anaheim and LA do present a challenge neither has the pedigree of the Sharks who have been a top team in the NHL for five years now.