San Jose Sharks vs. Boston Bruins Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The San Jose Sharks (5-15-0-2, 7-15 PL, 6-14-2 O/U) take on the Boston Bruins (14-4-3, 11-10 PL, 10-11 O/U) on Thursday evening. The Sharks posted a home victory against the Capitals on Monday. The Bruins were dealt an ugly road loss against the Blue Jackets in their previous game. The Bruins went 2-0 against the Sharks last season.
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Sharks Earn Another Win
The San Jose Sharks head out on a challenging road trek beginning in this one. San Jose had a disastrous opening month of the season but has been competitive recently. They lost a 3-2 shootout decision to the Canadiens last week and stunned the Canucks with a 4-3 win on the weekend. They were solid defensively in a 2-1 win against the Capitals on Monday night.
Tomas Hertl did not play on Monday night due to injury and is questionable. The 30-year-old center has been the Sharks best producer, netting 16 points in 21 games on the season. William Eklund has just two points in his last five games. The 21-year-old center was a 1st round pick a few years ago. He has collected eight points on the season. The Sharks have a weak defense. Nikita Ohkotiuk is a rookie playing big minutes. He earned an assist on Monday and has five points and a -5 rating which isn’t too bad considering how many goals this team concedes.
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) November 28, 2023
The Sharks have given most of the starts in net to Mackenzie Blackwood. The veteran netminder has issued a 3.60 GAA and a .902 save % to go with a 3-9-2 record. Kaapo Kahkonen was solid in the win against Vancouver but has a poor 4.12 GAA and an .889 save % on the season.
San Jose is only averaging 1.6 goals per game, pegging them 32nd. They are conceding an average of 4.0 goals which is also last in the NHL.
Bruins Seek to End Losing Streak
The Boston Bruins are in need of a win. The squad enjoyed a miraculous opening month that saw them lose just one game. They have cooled down, losing three games in a row including defeats to the Red Wings, and Rangers, and were dealt an ugly 5-2 road loss by the Blue Jackets on Monday. Despite the losing streak, the Bruins remain first in the Atlantic division.
David Pastrnak is having an outstanding month, netting 17 points. He was held pointless in the loss on Monday but is having a marvelous season, collecting 31 points. He recorded four points in two meetings against the Sharks last season. Charlie Coyle has earned five points in his last five clashes. The veteran center collected 45 points last season and has already registered 19 points this year. Charlie McAvoy has been mediocre. The 25-year-old defenseman has two points in his last five games and has 14 points and a poor -8 rating on the season.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 27, 2023
The Bruins continue to share the duties in the cage with Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark. Swayman has the better numbers, recording a dazzling 2.38 GAA and a .925 save % complemented by a 7-1-2 record. Ullmark was in the net in Monday’s loss. He is sporting a 2.64 GAA and a .917 save % accompanied by a 7-3-1 record.
Boston is averaging 3.3 goals per game, ranking them 13th. The defense hasn’t been as strong recently and is conceding an average of 2.6 goals, good for fifth.
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The San Jose Sharks have been competitive recently but all of their wins have been on home ice. They have yet to win a game on the road this season. The Boston Bruins are not happy with their recent performance and I expect them to be up for this bout as they look to end a losing streak.
Furthermore, the Sharks have an xGA/60 minutes of 4 goals which is by far the worst in the NHL. The squad is last in goals scored and goals conceded. The Bruins are 7-0-1 on home ice. Boston has averaged a solid 3.5 goals in their last ten games. All of the Sharks road defeats this season have been by at least two goals, plus four of the Bruins' last five home wins have been by two or more goals.
Prediction: Boston Bruins -1.5
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I expect plenty of scoring. The Sharks will contribute to this total. The Bruins have not been nearly as sharp defensively recently. They have squandered at least five goals in four of their last five bouts including five in Monday’s loss.
In addition, the Bruins will generate a ton of offense. Not only are the Sharks last in goals allowed, but they also stand last in the NHL in shots allowed and third last in penalty kill. The Sharks have weak goaltending as Blackwood has a poor .902 save % and Kahkonen has an .889 save %. The over is 4-1 in the Bruins’ last five games.
Prediction: Over 5.5
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