The San Jose Sharks (30-25-6) and Buffalo Sabres (39-19-6) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Sabres are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-120o / +100u). The Sabres are a -200 favorite to win outright, while the Sharks are +165 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Sharks vs. Sabres predictions and NHL picks.
Sharks vs. Sabres Odds, Pick
| Sharks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -150 | 6.5 -120o / 100u | +165 |
| Sabres Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +125 | 6.5 -120o / 100u | -200 |
- Sharks vs. Sabres Spread: Sharks +1.5 (-150), Sabres -1.5 (+125)
- Sharks vs. Sabres Over/Under: 6.5 (-120o / +100u)
- Sharks vs. Sabres Moneyline: Sharks +165, Sabres -200
Sharks vs. Sabres Preview
San Jose Sharks
San Jose was quiet at the trade deadline, which is perfectly understandable. Its biggest move came back in January with the addition of Kiefer Sherwood, and chasing older rentals at this stage doesn't necessarily make sense.
The Sharks are clearly building around Macklin Celebrini, and this summer figures to be a better opportunity for meaningful additions.
For now, though, San Jose sits just a point behind Seattle for a Wild Card spot, and while it’s probably not a true contender this season, expectations have for sure been exceeded. They've won just three of their last 10 games, but have scrapped for at least a point in each of the last five.
This isn't a team that excels in any one area. They sit in the bottom half of the league across most metrics, 24th in expected goals per 60 minutes, and surrender the ninth-most expected goals against per 60 minutes, but the talent is undeniably there.
Celebrini is fifth in the league in scoring with 89 points and is already a superstar at 19 years old.
Behind him, Michael Misa, last year's second overall pick, is beginning to show flashes after posting 134 points in 65 OHL games last year. Will Smith, the fourth overall pick in 2023, is the team's second-leading scorer, albeit 45 points behind Celebrini.
They’re likely a couple of years away as a team, but the talent and upside are real.
San Jose is now embarking on a five-game road trip that will go a long way toward determining its playoff fate. With Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, and Edmonton ahead, it’s a bit of a tough test, but nothing unmanageable.
In net, starts have been somewhat split between Alex Nedeljkovic and Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov has struggled at times, making Nedeljkovic the more reliable option by the numbers, with a 0.5 GSAx, .900 SV%, and 2.83 GAA.
I would guess the two will alternate throughout the road trip, and with Askarov drawing the start against the Islanders on Sunday, Nedeljkovic is set up to get the start tonight, though nothing has been confirmed.
Buffalo Sabres
It’s March 10 and the Sabres are atop the Atlantic Division, a place that seemed unimaginable just a few months ago.
On December 15, Buffalo sat in last place when it handed GM duties over to Jarmo Kekalainen. Since then, it has surged to a 25-5-2 record, collecting 52 points in 32 games, a blistering pace that would translate to 133 points over a full season.
The run has pushed Buffalo to the brink of ending its 14-year playoff drought, currently the longest in the NHL and the second-longest across all major North American professional sports.
Sunday’s thrilling 8-7 victory over Tampa Bay not only completed the Sabres’ climb from last to first, it also extended their winning streak to seven games. They are now 8-1-1 over their last 10, outscoring opponents 40-29 and averaging nearly four goals per 60 minutes.
One of the more underrated factors in Buffalo’s turnaround has been the line of Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn. Among 50 combinations with at least 200 minutes together this season, the trio ranks fifth in goals per 60 (4.32) and fourth in expected goals per 60 (3.7).
Meanwhile, Tage Thompson’s remarkable season rolls on, riding an 11-game point streak that includes six goals and nine assists.
At the trade deadline, Buffalo appeared to have landed their top target, Colton Parayko, but the move fell through after he exercised his no-trade clause.
It still managed to add some depth on the blue line, bringing in Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from Winnipeg. It’s not a flashy fix, but it does help. Limiting chances has been the biggest lingering concern, as Buffalo allows the seventh-most xGA/60.
In net, Alex Lyon has been one of the league’s best goaltenders as of late. He leads the league with 12.1 GSAx across his last 10 games and should get the nod tonight after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started Sunday.
Sharks vs. Sabres Prediction
San Jose has shown it can stick around in games even through its recent skid, but the Sharks appear to be fading at an inopportune time while Buffalo continues to be one of the hottest teams in the league.
With that said, it's hard to go against the Sabres right now. The -200 moneyline isn't an attractive number, but the 60-minute line offers a better price.
Buffalo has won 13 of its last 16 games, all in regulation. The only game in that stretch to go to overtime was a 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay in early February.
Expect them to dodge a letdown spot after a crazy win on Sunday and take care of business without needing the extra period.
Pick: Sabres 3-Way Moneyline (-135)
