Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today’s matchup sees the San Jose Sharks take on the surprising Columbus Blue Jackets. 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 Columbus should be a fun one. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions for all the NHL’s games.
NHL Predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets at San Jose Sharks
Time: 10:30 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
TV: FDSNOH, NBCSCA, ESPN+
2023-24 Season Series: Columbus won (2-0-0)
The Sharks Looking to Get Back in the Win Column
San Jose dropped a tough one to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. They surrendered the game-winning goal with 26 seconds left to break the tie. The club wants to bounce back against Columbus and Minnesota before heading on an East Coast road trip. Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli continued their offensive success on Saturday. Granlund found the back of the net, while Toffoli and William Eklund had the helpers. Though he didn’t appear on the stat sheet, Fabian Zetterlund has continued his breakout campaign. He’s up to six goals in 13 games.
Jake Walman on the back end has also been a revelation for the club. He’s continued to anchor the power play and play a steady game. In addition, Timothy Liljegren made his Sharks debut on Saturday. He spent most of his time paired with Henry Thurn, and the two worked well together. Liljegren was on the ice for both San Jose goals and looked comfortable in his first game. Sharks fans should be excited about what they saw. The Sharks also got the best possible Macklin Celebrini injury news. He participated in contact drills on Monday and will return to the lineup against the Blue Jackets.
Celebrini confirms he’s playing tomorrow
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 4, 2024
Between the pipes, Mackenzie Blackwood found himself as the starter again. Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek started the season splitting starts, but Blackwood’s play has given him the net in recent games. Expect that to continue tonight against Columbus.
Blue Jackets Seeking Their Early-Season Form
Columbus started their season hot with a 5-3-1 record in October. In November, the tide changed as the Jackets dropped their games to Winnipeg and Washington. The club is looking to regain their footing against the Sharks. Columbus is led by their youth, headlined by Kirill Marchenko. The 24-year-old has 12 points in 11 games and has picked up where he left off last year. Cole Sillinger, Yegor Chinakov and Adam Fantilli have also contributed in big ways thus far. Sillinger and Chinakov each have eight points in 11 games, while Fantilli has six.
Stalwart defenseman Zach Werenski continues to lead Columbus’ defensive core. He has nine points, four of which are with the man advantage, and is eighth in the league in time-on-ice per game. Sean Monahan has been a great free-agent addition. The 30-year-old center is a point-per-game right now and is a major part of Columbus’ offensive attack.
The goaltending situation has been shaky. Daniil Tarasov has gotten a bulk of the starts in net, with six. However, he’s posted just an .860 SV% in those starts while earning three wins. Elvis Merzlikins has played better, with a .907 SV%. The Blue Jackets are looking for one of the two to grab the net and become the number one. As for this game against the Sharks, expect Merzlikins between the pipes.
Prediction
Columbus gave up six goals to the Jets and seven to the Capitals. They’ve struggled to hold teams off the scoresheet, and while Winnipeg and Washington have potent offences, San Jose may find similar success. The Sharks should get the win on home ice.
Prediction: San Jose wins 3-1
Main Photo: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
