Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks odds, picks and predictions
The Boston Bruins (2-0-0) and San Jose Sharks (0-2-1) meet Thursday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Bruins vs. Sharksodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Bruins have picked up where they left off in the 2022-23 regular season. Boston racked up a record 65 wins and 135 points, and it has 2 wins and 4 points in just 2 games.
The Sharks have managed to pick up just 1 point out of a possible 6. It looked like San Jose had a good chance to win against the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday, leading 3-2 after 2 periods. However, the Sharks were trampled for 4 goals in a 6-minute span, and the Canes doubled up San Jose 6-3 as the Over (6) cashed.
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Bruins at Sharks odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:18 a.m. ET.
Bruins at Sharks projected goalies
Linus Ullmark (1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .952 SV%) vs. Kaapo Kahkonen (0-1-0, 4.00 GAA, .875 SV%)
Ullmark allowed just a single goal on 21 shots in a 3-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks last Wednesday. It's been a slow go, splitting the 2 starts so far with Jeremy Swayman. This will be just his 2nd start after a week off.
Kahkonen coughed up 4 goals on 32 shots in a 4-1 setback Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights on home ice, and now he faces another high-powered offense. He lost his only start against VGK last season, allowing 2 goals on 38 shots, but he received no support.
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Bruins at Sharks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bruins 4, Sharks 1
The Bruins (-275) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that's way too expensive, especially on the road. While, on paper, it's difficult to envision a scenario where the high-flying B's will fall to the lowly Sharks (+220), the risk is way too much for the reward.
AVOID.
The BRUINS -1.5 (-110) are a decent play on the puck line. The B's are 1-1 as a favorite on the puck line, cashing Wednesday against Chicago, although it failed to cover Saturday against Nashville.
On the flip side, the Sharks +1.5 (-110) have cashed just once in 3 games on the puck line, all as an underdog. Boston is a strong play laying the goal and a half, and the ALTERNATE LINE - BRUINS -2.5 (+145) at plus-money is worth playing lightly, too.
UNDER 6 (+100) is a decent play at even-money, as it isn't hard to envision the Bruins scoring, but where are the Sharks goals going to come from against Ullmark?
The Under hit in the 1st 2 games for the Sharks, but the Over cashed last time out against the Hurricanes. The Under is 2-0 in both games for the B's, too.
