Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today’s matchup sees the San Jose Sharks take on the high-flying New Jersey Devils. 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 New Jersey should be a fun one. Finally, be sure to check out more predictions for all the NHL’s games.
NHL Predictions
San Jose Sharks at New Jersey Devils
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
TV: NBCSCA, MSGSN, ESPN+
San Jose Heads Back on the Road
The Sharks finished their five-game homestand with a 3-2 record and some confidence. The team’s start of 2024-25 was miserable, but recent games have given fans something to be positive about. However, the game on Thursday against the Wild was an ugly affair. Minnesota won 5-2 and controlled the game from start to finish. Macklin Celebrini returned to the score sheet. He provided the lone offence for San Jose with his first career, two-goal game. Both goals came at even strength and were assisted by Mikael Granlund and Henry Thrun. Granlund further extended his team lead in points. His two assists put him up to ten on the year and 16 points total. Thrun’s two assists give him three on the season and his fourth career, multi-point game. Tyler Toffoli and Fabian Zetterlund also have double-digit point totals in 2024-25. Jake Walman has nine, with four coming in his last five games.
In net, Vitek Vanecek struggled, surrendering four goals on 30 shots. The Wild’s fifth goal came with the net empty. Vanecek’s season SV% dipped back below .900. Furthermore, with today’s game against New Jersey being the first of a back-to-back, expect Mackenzie Blackwood to take the net, with Vanecek in against Philadelphia.
The Devils Feature One of the Best Offences in the NHL
The New Jersey Devils come into this matchup averaging 3.63 GF/G, which is eighth-best in the league. One of the key reasons is the consistency in their lineup. New Jersey has 13 players that have played in all 16 games so far and one that’s appeared in 15. Jesper Bratt leads the Devils’ attack with 18 points and has been red-hot recently. The 26-year-old has seven points in his last five games.
Captain Nico Hischier leads the team with ten goals. He also plays over 20 minutes a night and is one of the team’s best players at the dot. In addition, superstar first-overall pick Jack Hughes joins Bratt and Hischeir atop the Devils’ point leaders. Hughes has 15 points in 16 games and is regarded as one of the NHL’s best forwards. Former Shark Timo Meier is also off to a hot start with 13 points. Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter are the other New Jersey forwards with double-digit points.
Defensively, Dougie Hamilton is back from injury and is the team’s leading point scorer from the back end. Johnathan Kovacevic and Jonas Siegenthaler have provided stability for the Devils’ defensive core. Between the pipes, GM Tom Fitzgerald acquired Jacob Markstrom to be the team’s starter. So far, he’s done that well. He has a SV% of .904 and a GAA of 2.65. Moreover, with Markstrom seeing the net against the Islanders, expect Jake Allen between the pipes against San Jose.
Predictions Sharks and Devils
This is the second half of a back-to-back for the Devils with their backup in the net. San Jose is rested and, with the return of Celebrini, has some life offensively. Furthermore, New Jersey’s offence has too much firepower, but the Sharks may be able to keep the score close. According to Fanduel, the spread for the game is San Jose +1.5, at -105 odds. We like this being a close game.
Prediction: New Jersey wins 3-2 (OT)
Main Photo Credit: Stan Szeto – USA TODAY Sports
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