Sharks vs Flames | NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction

Sharks vs. Flames Odds

Falling to defeat on Monday, the San Jose Sharks end their season with a road trip to Alberta, starting against the Calgary Flames. The Sharks have lost four in a row and gone 3-5-2 in their last 10 as they prepare for the draft this June.

Calgary’s season ends in disappointment. After a shootout loss on Monday, the Flames’ playoff dreams disappeared. They’ve played some decent hockey during this 10-game stretch, though, going 6-2-2, but it couldn’t make up for a season-long story of missed expectations.

Here’s a look at our odds, as well as our prediction for the San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames.

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Now Power in San Jose Sharks Play

Erik Karlsson did the unthinkable: He became the first defenseman in 30-plus years to notch more than 100 points. It's an amazing stat given what he’s been through and his team’s situation. Behind him, Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl are having their usual solid seasons with more than 60 points. They will be without veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic and depth weapon Alex Barabanov, however.

On the offensive end, the Sharks were OK this season. They were 21st in expected goals with a 49.05 xGF%, but their power play was horrible, scoring only 18.4% of the time.

Their defensive game held up pretty strong compared to what many expected. They were 24th ranked 2.86 xGA/60, but the penalty kill was among the best with an 82.5 success rate.

It’s hard to say who takes the net this time since both Kaapo Kahkonen and James Reimer have split starts. I think Kahkonen takes the crease since Reimer started the last two games. Kahkonen has had a suboptimal season, playing to a league-worst -25.9 goals saved above expected (GSAx) and an .879 SV%.

Goaltending Letdown for Calgary Flames

Tyler Toffoli has been the Flames' best player all season with 34 goals and 73 points. The Jonathan Huberdeau acquisition has not worked out in the slightest, and Elias Lindholm has not played to his last-season self. Nazem Kadri was a huge signing for Calgary, but he did not play to expectations, even though posting a respectable 55 points this season.

Calgary’s story is such a depressing one. Throughout the season, the Flames were the fourth-best team at driving even-strength play with a 54.44 xGF%. The power play has lacked at 19.9%, but the even-strength numbers are hard to ignore. Chances were created, but the finishing suffered.

Defensively, they’ve been solid all year round. They’re ninth with a 2.48 xGA/60 and have the seventh-best penalty kill at 82.5%.

I’d say goaltending is a main reason why the Flames are where they are. Jacob Markstrom has not put up the numbers that put him in Vezina territory last year. Since they’re out of playoff contention as of Monday, perhaps Dan Vladar takes the net. Vladar hasn’t played in over a week, playing to a poor -8.4 GSAx and an .895 SV%. Should Markstrom play, he’s playing to a -3.1 GSAx and an .892 SV%.

Sharks vs. Flames Pick

Now that the Flames are out of the playoffs, this game is meaningless, which can go any which way. It’ll be Calgary’s last game of the season, and I’m sure the team will want to end on a high note, especially in front of their fans. However, the locker room’s morale could also be down.

San Jose knew of its fate a while ago, so at this rate, it has been playing with house money. The Sharks are very capable of getting pounded in games, though. In this four-game losing skid, three games have been decided by a deficit of three or more goals.

Given that the Flames have been exceptional in the underlying numbers, I think they’re more than capable of winning this game by a large margin. Only thing is that goaltending will need to hold up. In his last three starts, Markstrom is 3-0 against the Sharks with a .905 SV%. I see no reason why that can’t continue.

Pick: Calgary Flames -1.5 (+105)

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