Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today’s matchup sees the San Jose Sharks take on the surging Minnesota Wild. 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 Minnesota should be a good test for the Sharks. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions for all the NHL’s games.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks
Time: 10:30 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
TV: FDSNNO, NBCSCA, FDSNWIX, ESPN+
The Sharks Are Starting to Put It Together
After a disastrous start to the season, the Sharks have won four of their last five games. The team is doing everything better and stringing together wins. The team has had to mostly rely on their big guns for scoring, led by Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli. Granlund continues his strong season with 14 points in 14 games, while Toffoli has 11. In San Jose’s most recent game against the Blue Jackets, however, the depth and goaltending were the story. Youngster Jack Thompson netted his first career goal, and Alexander Wennberg won it in overtime. Will Smith logged an assist, and Fabian Zetterlund had two to provide the necessary scoring. Macklin Celebrini also returned from injury and was immediately thrust into action. He played just over 17 minutes and produced a couple of scoring chances. It may take some time for Celebrini to get back on the score sheet.
In net, Vitek Vanecek was incredible. He faced 50 shots and turned away a career-high 49. This win gives Vanecek his second of the year and is a continuation of his strong play. He’s pulled his SV% over .900 for the first time this season. Mackenzie Blackwood‘s last start was a loss against the Vancouver Canucks, but he has also strung together good games. No one has clearly taken the net, but Vanecek is the hot hand. Coach Ryan Warsofsky may give him another opportunity between the pipes against Minnesota.
The ‘State of Hockey’ is Living Up to Its Name
Through 12 games played, the Minnesota Wild sit fifth in the NHL standings with 18 points. A little less than one year ago, John Hynes was hired as the team’s head coach. In his 75 games, the team has 42 wins and is top ten in points. This year, Kirill Kaprizov is playing at a superstar level. The 27-year-old Russian has 21 points in just 12 games, good for fourth in the league. Joining Kaprizov atop Minnesota’s scoring list are Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello, who have 13 and 11 points, respectively. Youngster Marco Rossi also has ten points, further contributing to Minnesota’s hot start. On the back end, former Shark Jacob Middleton has revitalized his career since heading to Minnesota. He has eight points this season and is a key factor in the team’s penalty kill. Youngster Brock Faber, Jonas Brodin and captain Jared Spurgeon round out Minnesota’s top four defencemen.
The team is looking to bounce back from a loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Filip Gustavsson saw the net in that game and surrendered five goals. Despite this, Gustavsson has become Minnesota’s number-one netminder. He has a .917 SV%. In what is his final NHL season, Marc-André Fleury has seen the net in three games, two being wins. He hasn’t seen the net since defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 29, so Hynes may put Fleury between the pipes for what may be the final time against San Jose.
Prediction
Both teams come into this game hot and with a bit of momentum. The Sharks are coming off another win, while Minnesota is looking to bounce back from a loss. If Fleury starts, San Jose may catch him not having played in a few days. However, Minnesota’s firepower should be too much for San Jose to compete with.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 4-2
Prop Bets of the Night
We’ve also got some Fanduel props for you to consider. The Wild are -1.5 on the spread, which has -105 odds. A parlay with Zuccarello and the Wild to win sits at +310, which may be a good value play. For anytime goal scorers, William Eklund is +330 and Joel Eriksson Ek is +175.
Main Photo Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
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