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The Chicago Blackhawks (3-6-1) and San Jose Sharks (2-7-2) tangle Thursday at the SAP Center. The opening puck drop is slated for 10:30 p.m. (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Blackhawks vs. Sharks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Blackhawks lead 1-0
Chicago, which beat San Jose 4-2 at home Oct. 17, is playing the middle contest of a 5-game road trip. On Monday, the Blackhawks snapped a 4-game skid with a 5-2 win at the Colorado Avalanche. C Ryan Donato filed 2 goals and an assist in what marked just the club’s second road win in 6 tries.
On Tuesday, the Sharks opened a 5-game homestand with a 4-2 triumph over Los Angeles Kings. A San Jose club that opened its season 0-7-2 has collected back-to-back victories, something it had not done since Jan. 22-23.
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Blackhawks at Sharks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 9:08 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Blackhawks -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Sharks +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Puck line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks -1.5 (+165) | Sharks +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Blackhawks at Sharks projected goalies
Petr Mrazek (3-5-0, 3.04 GAA, .896 SV%) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (1-3-2, 3.89 GAA, .888 SV%)
Mrazek started Monday’s game and made 24 stops while allowing 1 even-strength and 1 power-play goal. He started 3 games against San Jose last season, clocking a fine .926 SV%.
Blackwood allowed 4 goals in a Monday win over the Utah Hockey Club. All 4 goals were over the first and second periods; he only faced 4 shots over the third and overtime frames in a 5-4 Sharks win.
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Blackhawks at Sharks picks and predictions
Prediction
Blackhawks 4, Sharks 3
Moneyline
Chicago has beaten San Jose 5 straight times since February of the 2022-23 season.
The Blackhawks have shown some improved ability in 5-on-5 analytics, and their scoring-chance and high danger numbers are trending the right way over recent games despite having won just once since Oct. 19.
The Sharks have been a heavily penalized club so far. Only 5 teams have been tagged with more average penalty minutes per game than San Jose’s 11.0. In the Oct. 17 meeting at the United Center, Chicago went 2-of-7 on the power play. And San Jose has been yielding a slew of good looks from the slot lately.
Chicago is on the road 2 times zones west, but it also has a rest advantage in this matchup.
BACK THE BLACKHAWKS (-145).
Puck line/Against the spread
Three games in Chicago’s 5-game streak against San Jose have gone past regulation. PASS on trying to edge the ‘Hawks by with a cushion.
Over/Under
The Over is 5-1-1 over the last 7 series meetings and has hit in 3 straight ‘Hawks-Sharks games in San Jose.
Blackwood’s even-strength numbers (.892 SV%) have not been encouraging. Extra-man opportunities should be plentiful.
BACK THE OVER 6 (-110).
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