San Jose Sharks vs. Arizona Coyotes Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The San Jose Sharks (9-17-3) were expected to be one of, if not the worst teams in the entire NHL this season, and while they've certainly struggled for the most part, they've shown an ability to cause some major upsets throughout the season, and now, for the first time this season, they find themselves off the bottom of the Pacific Division following an impressive stretch.
In this one, they'll take on the Arizona Coyotes (13-13-2), who have certainly taken a major step forward this season, and with a young, emerging core full of potentially elite talent, they may just shock the NHL world and get back into the playoffs in 2023-24 for the first time in a number of seasons.
Can the San Jose Sharks continue their hot streak?
The San Jose Sharks started the 2023-24 season as bad as anyone could have possibly imagined, but in recent times, they've found their very best form, with their 6-2-1 record over their past nine games taking their season mark to 9-17-3, taking them off the bottom of the Pacific Division for the first time this year, as they have passed Anaheim for seventh place. Away from home this season, the Sharks have posted just a 3-11-1 record, picking up three wins in their past five games on the road, but with their dreadful -50 goal differential on the season, this run they've been on certainly can't last for long, especially as the schedule continues to get tougher and tougher.
After a slow start offensively, the team now have several players on a massive hot streak, with Tomas Hertl the main example after posting 24 points through the teams 28 games, with five other players in double digit point totals too, and in net, Mackenzie Blackwood has stood out behind a rough defense, posting a 3.67 GAA with a .900 save percentage, good enough to keep them in some big games as of late. Last time out was another shock win, this time over the red-hot Winnipeg Jets, with goals to Bailey and Eklund leading the way as Blackwood starred again, saving all but one of the 37 shots he saw, just enough to get them over the hump for a crucial 2-1 victory.
Can the Coyotes turn around their recent struggles?
The Arizona Coyotes blew away expectations early in the season when they started red-hot, but lately, they've been streaky, as they followed up an impressive five-game winning streak with a four-game losing skid, taking their season record to 13-13-2, good for sixth spot in the Central, placing them just one point out of a Wild Card spot. At home this season, the Coyotes have put together a respectable 8-5-0 record, and while they have just a +2 goal differential, for a young team like this learning to play and win together, all signs are pointing up, and if even two of their young players can become stars, this could be the best core in the NHL in a few seasons.
Unsurprisingly, this team is led by that young core, with Clayton Keller's 25 points leading the way, while 10 other Coyotes are in double digits, including two more players under 24 being over 20 points on the season, and in net, they have seen a breakout year from Connor Ingram, who has posted a 2.56 GAA and a .921 save percentage. Last time out was another tough loss for Arizona, with goals to Crouse and Maccielli not enough to compete against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and while Ingram had a great day, stopping 39 of 42 shots that came his way, the Pens empty netter ended up sealing the 4-2 victory, ending a disappointing road trip for Arizona.
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In recent years, neither of these teams have been among the best, or even playoff teams in the NHL, but in 2023-24, things appear to be changing for one of these teams, as the young core in Arizona is beginning to build, and with the Sharks strong run as of late, this should be an intriguing, exciting matchup on Friday night.
While the Sharks have won their past three meetings, the Coyotes come into this one as overwhelming favorites, and with San Jose having a -50 goal differential on the season, it's hard to pull out another upset, especially against a fun, high-powered offense in Arizona, with a team that's 8-5-0 at home on the season.
It may be close and exciting, but take the Coyotes in this tough matchup.
Prediction: Arizona -1.5
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In 2023-24, Connor Ingram and Mackenzie Blackwood have both stood out among the most promising goaltenders in the NHL, but defensively, neither of these teams have excelled, and with the over sitting at 7-2-1 in their past 10 head-to-head meetings, it's safe to say that whenever they collide, lots of goals will follow.
For the Sharks, the over is 6-4 in their past 10 overall games, with the Sharks scoring 26 goals in their past five games played away from home against some elite opposition, and for the Coyotes, the over also sits at 6-4 in their past 10 games, with 20 goals scored in their past five games played at home, and while there's a chance that these two young goaltenders will show out, the offense is the strength of both teams, so expect some fireworks in this one.
