Kraken vs. Sharks NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Back San Jose as a Rare Favorite (February 27)
Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Timo Meier
- Seattle and San Jose run it back on Sunday for the third time this season.
- The Kraken have won just twice in their last 10 games and are +105 underdogs against the Sharks.
- Tony Sartori breaks down the game and gives his top pick, below.
Kraken vs. Sharks Odds
| Kraken Odds | +105 |
| Sharks Odds | -125 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 (-115/-105) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
We have a Pacific Division tilt for Sunday's nightcap as the eighth-place Seattle Kraken travel to San Jose to take on the seventh-place Sharks. Tonight will be the third meeting between these two teams this season as Seattle has taken the first two meetings 3-1 and 3-2.
Will we see the Kraken win again tonight, or can the Sharks get their first-ever win against the NHL's newest expansion team?
Kraken Looking to Snap Losing Streak
The Seattle Kraken enter this contest following Thursday night's 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. Thursday's loss was another tough night for Seattle who has now lost six straight games.
The Kraken have especially struggled recently as underdogs as they are now 2-8 over their last 10 games at plus money. Jared McCann's new IR status with an upper-body injury is a brutal development this week for Seattle.
Seattle's leader in points being out will particularly hurt an already poor offense which currently ranks 31st in the league in 5-on-5 Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (xGF). The Kraken need as much scoring as possible when Philipp Grubauer is in net, who is tonight's projected starter.
Grubauer has been the league's worst starting goaltender this season as he boasts a very poor 0.888 Save Percentage. Among starting goaltenders this season, Grubauer ranks dead last in 5-on-5 Goals Saved Above Expected per 60 minutes (GSAx).
Sawchenko Leads the Sharks in First Start
The San Jose Sharks enter this contest following on the second half of a home back-to-back as they hosted the Boston Bruins last night. The back-to-back indicates that Zach Sawchenko should get his first career start as James Reimer started last night.
Sawchenko came on in relief back in January against Pittsburgh and was awesome as he stopped 20 of 21 shots against the higher-powered Penguins offense. While San Jose has lost eight of its last 10 games, I am buying low on a team that has had an incredibly tough stretch of games.
Over that stretch, San Jose has had to play Vegas, Edmonton, Tampa Bay (x2), Florida, and Carolina. It is no wonder that the Sharks have been sliding, and I think we are getting a good price on them due to their recent record.
Since the Sharks have had such a tough schedule, this is the first time in a while that they have been favored in a game. Over their last five games as a favorite, the Sharks are 5-0.
Kraken vs. Sharks Pick
I like the Sharks to finally grab a win tonight against Seattle after losing both of their first two meetings. Despite being on the second half of a back-to-back, I expect to see an especially spirited performance from the guys to help Sawchenko win his debut at home.
The price is too low on the Sharks because even though they are not very good, the Kraken are much worse, especially without McCann.
Pick: San Jose Sharks ML (-125) | Play up to (-140)
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