Sharks vs Oilers | NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction

Sharks vs. Oilers Odds

The Edmonton Oilers are priced as one of the biggest favorites of the NHL season on Thursday night (-500) in a game where they could potentially win the Pacific division with two points from the lowly San Jose Sharks, who skated last night in Calgary.

The Oilers also need the Vegas Golden Knights to lose in regulation against the Seattle Kraken, which is somewhat realistic considering the Knights are priced as just -125 favorites by oddsmakers.

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San Jose Sharks

Sharks fans will be watching the out-of-town scoreboard for different reasons as a regulation loss paired with a Chicago win would move them down to 30th place, which would improve their chances at claiming Connor Bedard by 2%.

San Jose has lost five consecutive games and has played to a shocking -16 goal differential over that span. It has played to a 38.77% expected goals rating in those matchups, while allowing 40.39 shots against per 60.

Erik Karlsson likely defended better earlier in the season than most people credited, but it seems over the last month that his hunt for 100 points has brought on a role of full-blown rover, which has caused a ton of extremely dangerous chances going the other way.

He's far been far from the biggest problem, however, as the Sharks' current roster is incapable of carrying much of the overall run of play and will be skating out the season here in night two of a tough back-to-back.

Goaltending has been another consistent concern for the Sharks, although James Reimer has been the better option and will start. Reimer has played to a -10.8 GSAx rating and .891 save % in 42 appearances.

Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton was already trending in the right direction in terms of playing a far more well-rounded team game this season, but since the arrival of Mattias Ekholm at the deadline, it has really taken its game to a new level.

The Oilers own an 18-2-1 record since the addition of Ekholm, playing to a league-leading 59.01% expected goals rating during that span.

Edmonton's far more balanced play is extremely intimidating heading toward the postseason, as realistically 50/50 share of play at even strength could be enough to win some series considering its historically good powerplay.

Stuart Skinner is arguably the team's biggest question mark, but he has been very strong down the stretch and owns a +5.7 GSAx and .913 save % this season.

Sharks vs. Oilers Pick

It's extremely hard to imagine Edmonton dropping this contest and ruining its chance at an important division title, but it is still tough to make the case that backing at -500 is a very reasonable idea. To put it in a pure odds perspective, that number is saying the Oilers win this game four out of five times, which seems far in my opinion.

What I would rather count on is a couple of player props on a night Edmonton's superstars should remain highly involved.

Evander Kane is priced at +100 to record over 3.5 shots on goal, which is a great number considering how he is has poured the puck on goal recently. Kane has put up 5.28 shots on goal per game over the last seven, and his game is now closer to where it was pre-injury. He put up seven in San Jose last week, and I think it's more likely than 2/1 that he gets past 3.5 tonight.

Pick 1: Evander Kane Over 3.5 SOG (+100)

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Leon Draisaitl is still priced at -110 to record a goal at anytime, which is another strong play. He and McDavid have completely roasted the Sharks this season.

Pick 2: Leon Draisaitl Anytime Goal (-110)

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