Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Oilers paused for the Holidays after recording consecutive road victories over New Jersey and New York Rangers to improve to 4-1-0 in their past five away from Rogers Place. The Sharks saw their current slide continue in their return to action on Wednesday night with a lopsided 5-1 defeat in Los Angeles that extend their current losing streak to six games.
With their early-season road woes looking to be behind them, the Oilers have rocketed to -375 road favourites on the Thursday NHL odds, and a short -105 puckline bet to claim victory by at least three goals. The Sharks trail as distant +290 underdogs, while -135 odds favour the total going UNDER 7.0.
Oilers vs. Sharks NHL Betting Odds
After scoring just six total goals during a preceding three-game slide, the Oilers rediscovered their scoring touch while potting 10 total goals in their two recent wins. Even with their recent abbreviated slump, the Oilers have managed to average an impressive 4.23 goals per game while winning 10 of their past 13 overall including 3.80 goals per game during their 4-1 run on the road. However, the Oilers saw a dominating eight-game win streak against the Sharks snapped by a 3-2 loss when they visited San Jose on November 9.
There was no Christmas miracle in the works for the Sharks in their return to action on Wednesday. After raising hopes by opening the scoring for the first time during their current swoon, the Sharks quickly rolled over in the face of the Kings’ 43-shot onslaught, on their way to a 5-1 defeat. Overall, the Sharks have been outshot by a wide 28-10 overall margin during their current 0-6-0 run, and while they have managed to win two of their past four home games, they have mustered just seven total goals over that stretch, and a feeble 2.19 goals per game on home ice this season.
Edmonton Oilers
After backstopping the Oilers to last Friday’s 4-3 win over the Rangers, Stuart Skinner is expected to get the call in the Edmonton net on Thursday. The 25-year-old has struggled overall of late, earning the win in just one of his past three appearances while allowing 11 total goals while compiling a save percentage of just .857. However, Skinner was bailed out on Friday by an Oilers attack that has been getting contributions from up and down the lineup. Four different shooters found the mark in last Friday’s win in New York, led by Ryan McLeod, who also added an assist in his second straight two-point outing. Connor McDavid also contributed an assist, and has now piled up eight goals and 31 points while finding his way onto the scoresheet in 14 of the past 15 games.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have given themselves little opportunity to win while averaging just 24.2 shots on goal during their six-game slide. The club has enjoyed fasts starts over their past two outings, scoring three total goals in the first 20 minutes, but have quickly worn down, allowing a total 13 goals after 20 minutes over the past three games. Thursday’s starting goaltender Kappo Kahkoken has been tagged with the loss in four straight starts despite turning in valiant efforts, compiling a respectable .902 save percentage despite facing an average of 33 shots per game, and 81 total shots over his pat two outings. Up front, Fabian Zetterlund has emerged as a steady producer during the team’s current losing streak, scoring the lone goal in Wednesday’s loss to LA, and picking up at least a point in each of the last three games. Conversely, leading scorer Tomas Hertl has scored just once in four games, and recorded just one assist in his past 10 outings.
