Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Let’s look at this Wednesday edition with the San Jose Sharks taking on the Dallas Stars. 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 Dallas is a big Western Conference showdown. Finally, be sure to check out more predictions for all the games throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
TV: Victory+, NBCSCA, ESPN+
The Young San Jose Sharks Are Learning How to Win
The Sharks come into this matchup off of a thrilling overtime victory against the Red Wings on Monday. The offence showed up in a big way, generating 34 shots and five goals. William Eklund led the charge with two goals. His point total moves to 15 on the year as he continues his red-hot season. Tyler Toffoli and Luke Kunin netted the two other regulation markers. In overtime, 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini scored his first career goal in extra-time, giving the Sharks a big win. In his eight NHL games, Celebrini has four goals and five points and gives the Sharks high-level play each time he’s on the ice. Alexander Wennberg added two assists and is up to nine points. Fabian Zetterlund and Jake Walman had one assist each, bringing their point totals to 14 and 11, respectively.
Despite his limited appearances, new acquisition Timothy Liljegren has played well in his short time. He’s kept the puck out of his own net and been a steady presence on the backend. In goal, Mackenzie Blackwood didn’t play his best game of the season but made key saves and gave San Jose a chance to win. Despite allowing four goals to the Red Wings, Blackwood’s statistical profile has been good. In his 11 starts, he’s posted a .908 SV% and taken the reins to the goal. However, with the injury to Vitek Vanecek, San Jose recalled Yaroslav Askarov from Milwaukee. The young netminder may get his first start with the Sharks in this game.
Stars Seeking to Keep Pace in the Central Division
Dallas comes into this game behind Winnipeg and Minnesota in the Central Divison standings. After a disappointing loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the Stars are looking to get back in the win column at home. In the last five games, Mason Marchment has been the engine of Dallas’ offence. The forward has four goals and ten points in that stretch after collecting an assist on Monday. Surprisingly, the only player with more points than Marchment on the team is Matt Duchene. After signing a one-year deal in the offseason, Duchene has ten goals and 21 points in 17 games. Tyler Seguin, Logan Stankoven and Roope Hintz are the only other players with double-digit points. Defensively, franchise defenceman Miro Heiskanen is off to a slow start on the stat sheet. He has just six points while playing over 24 minutes per game and on the top power play unit. Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell have eight points to lead the team from the backend.
Between the pipes, Jake Oettinger is playing like his usual Vezina Trophy-calibre self. He’s started 12 of the team’s 17 games and posted a .917 SV% with nine wins. His backup, Casey DeSmith, has a .914 SV%. With DeSmith getting the start against the Ducks, Oettinger should get the nod tonight against the Sharks.
Predictions for Stars and Sharks
These two clubs met in October, with the Stars taking that one 3-2. However, this Sharks team is different than the one that dropped that contest. Even though San Jose should put up a similar fight in this one, Dallas’ firepower and goaltending will be too much to overcome. Dallas takes this one.
Prediction: Dallas wins 3-1
According to Fanduel, if we want to look at adding some friendly wagers on the outcomes, check these out for our NHL Predictions. Given our score, take Dallas on the -1.5 spread and the under of 6.5, they pay -164 and -132, respectively. Marchment is a +250 anytime scorer, so lock that in as well. For San Jose, Celebrini is paying +340 to score. We like this four-leg, same-game parlay, it pays a whopping +10735.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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