Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our team here at Last Word on Hockey breaks down head-to-head matchups and other key elements that may influence the outcome of each game. This edition of NHL Predictions brings us back out west to Anaheim, where the San Jose Sharks will head to the Honda Center and face the Anaheim Ducks. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions as the 2024-25 season wears on.
NHL Predictions
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks
Time: 10:15 PM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
TV: Victory+, NBCSCA, KCOP-13, ESPN+
2024-25 Season Series: Anaheim leads (1-0-0)
The Ducks Looking to Right the Ship
The Ducks enter this matchup looking to get back in the win column after dropping their last two games. The team enters with an opportunity to jumpstart their offence before heading out east. Troy Terry is leading the charge with three goals and four points in five games. Ryan Strome and Leo Carlsson have each also found the back of the net twice. That being said, Anaheim has expected more from some of their key young talent. Mason McTavish has just two points, while Isac Lundeström has netted just one goal. Namely, however, the 2022 fifth-overall selection Cutter Gauthier has yet to register a point on the season. Despite his youth, Gauthier finding his offensive is a big part of the Ducks finding some success.
In the net, the Ducks have had to get saves without John Gibson. They’ve found success with youngster Lukas Dostal, who has taken the net as the number one in Gibson’s absence. Dostal has played in four of the team’s five games and registered a .931 SV% in his starts. Veteran netminder James Reimer appeared in the second game of the season against the Vegas Golden Knights, where the club took a loss. Expect Dostal to see the net in this matchup.
When Will the Sharks See the Win Column?
The Sharks enter this game as one of two teams without a win in the NHL, along with the Nashville Predators. We’ve detailed the Sharks’ trouble scoring goals, which is not made easier by the injury to Macklin Celebrini. The biggest bright spot for San Jose offensively has been the play of their veterans. Free-agent signing Tyler Toffoli has led the charge with seven points in six games. He and Mikael Granlund have led the charge and given a spark to the Sharks. William Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund have also played well in the young season. However, youngsters Will Smith and Daniil Gushchin have had surprisingly slow starts to their NHL careers. Neither have registered a point.
In the crease, both Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood have had their struggles in the early going. Neither has a SV% over .900, and they’ve combined for -3.4 goals saved above average (GSAA). However, both have had flashes of great play behind some shaky defence. Whoever starts may be in a position to help the Sharks get in the win column against an offence that has also struggled. With Vanecek getting the net on Sunday, expect Blackwood to face the Ducks on Frozen Frenzy Tuesday.
Prediction
There is a sense of urgency that is starting to show for the Sharks. The club is not where they wanted to be at this point in the year and some players are going to start producing. Smith showed some confidence against the Avalanche, so he may be a player to watch out for in this game. Expect the Sharks to come out ready to play and knock off the Ducks.
Prediction: Sharks win 4-2
According to Fanduel, the Sharks moneyline is at +140, which we like to go through.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
