Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today’s matchup sees the red-hot San Jose Sharks take on the Vancouver Canucks. Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. This matchup between San Jose and Vancouver should be an exciting one. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions for all the NHL’s games.
NHL Predictions
Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks
Time: 10 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
TV: NBCSCA, CBC, ESPN+
2023-24 Season Series: Vancouver won (3-1-0)
The Sharks Are Officially Streaking
The Sharks come into this matchup on a three-game win streak. With a come-from-behind win in Utah, a home win against Los Angeles and a solid win against Chicago, San Jose finally has some momentum. Against Chicago, the biggest standout was undoubtedly Will Smith. He notched his first two career goals and really showed the offensive skill set he’s known for. In addition, both goals were impressive shots and made Sharks fans say, “Finally!” Alexander Wennberg found the back of the net for the other San Jose tally. Fabian Zetterlund and Jake Walman continued their strong play with an assist on the Wennberg marker. And, despite being held pointless, Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli both sit atop the points list for San Jose. The Sharks finally got some positive injury news, as Macklin Celebrini skated with the team on Wednesday. He is still week-to-week, but his return will provide a spark.
Warsofsky still considers Celebrini week to week, so he may not be back immediately.
He looked good today though, Warsofsky said
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 31, 2024
In net, Mackenzie Blackwood earned the win against the Blackhawks. He survived some major Chicago pushes and willed San Jose to the win late. Expect Vitek Vanecek between the pipes against Vancouver.
Is the Sky Falling in Vancouver?
While the Canucks come into this game with a 4-2-3 record, there is a lot more cause for concern. Superstar Elias Pettersson has really struggled this year after signing an $11.6M contract last year. He has just one goal and four points and doesn’t look like the same dynamic player that we’ve seen him be. Vancouver’s power play also looks out of sorts. The unit is executing at 17.2% and was 0/4 in a 6-0 beating against the Devils. With all of these alarm bells going off, the Canucks’ superstar players, aside from Pettersson, have led the team in scoring. Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller each have nine points in nine games, and Quinn Hughes has eight points from the back end. Conor Garland and Teddy Blueger have played solid depth roles, while Kiefer Sherwood proved to be a great free-agent acquisition.
Between the pipes, Vancouver has relied on Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs for saves while Thatcher Demko is still on the shelf. These two goalies couldn’t be playing much different at the moment. Lankinen was brought in for less than $1M and has been phenomenal. He has a .920 SV%. Silovs, on the other hand, hasn’t been able to find the magic that he had in the 2024 playoffs. He has lost all three of his starts and surrendered 15 goals on 74 shots. Lankinen seems to have taken over the starting role, which should be the case against the Sharks.
Prediction
The Canucks just got embarrassed in the ‘Hughes Bowl’ on Wednesday night. They lost 6-0 and caused many fans to panic despite their relatively good record. San Jose, on the other hand, is riding high after three straight wins. Momentum is on the side of the Sharks, but we think Rick Tocchet‘s club is going to come out on fire and win this game handily.
Prediction: Vancouver wins 4-1.
On Fanduel, the Canucks are -1.5 and you can get those odds at +106, which feels like a safe bet.
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Main Photo: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
