The St. Louis Blues (14-10-5) visit the San Jose Sharks (11-13-3) Friday at SAP Center for a 9 p.m. ET puck drop. Below, we analyze the Blues-Sharks odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Sharks lost back-to-back games to the Vegas Golden Knights Monday and Wednesday; they’re seventh in the West Division.
The Blues are riding a five-game losing skid. Three of those went to overtime but the last two, including a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday, were in regulation. They’re fourth in the West.
San Jose and St. Louis last met March 8, with the Sharks stealing a 3-2 overtime win on home ice. The Blues are 3-1-2 in the season series; all six games have been decided by single goals.
Blues at Sharks: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:41 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blues -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Sharks +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blues -1.5 (+165) | Sharks +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Blues at Sharks: Projected starting goalies
Jordan Binnington (9-7-4, .904 SV%, 2.82 GAA) vs. Martin Jones (8-6-1, .884 SV%, 3.64 GAA)
The recently-extended Binnington has been struggling to live up to his new contract. He’s 0-1-1 since signing the new deal with 8 goals allowed on 63 shots. He’s 2-1-1 with a .887 SV% and 3.47 GAA in five games against the Sharks in 2021.
Jones held the Anaheim Ducks to one goal on 27 shots in a victory Saturday. It was his first game in the last 13 appearances with fewer than 2 goals allowed. He’s 1-0-1 with 4 goals allowed on 68 shots in two games against the Blues.
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Blues at Sharks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Blues 5, Sharks 1
Money line (ML)
Bet the BLUES (-140).
This line is softer than it should be due to St. Louis’ extended losing skid, but the Blues are a much better team than the Sharks. They were a more expensive favorite in each of the first six matchups this season so we’re getting value Friday.
Both teams are in the bottom third of the league in Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5, but the Blues managed to register 50.18% of the scoring chances at full strength in their games.
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Against the spread (ATS)
This is a tough one based on how hard-fought the season series has been thus far, but the BLUES -1.5 (+165) are the play to burst out of their losing skid and win by multiple goals.
As an indication of how lopsided this matchup truly is, the Blues are +2800 to win the 2021 Stanley Cup at BetMGM while the Sharks are +15000.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS on the Over/Under with the line set at an even 6. The season series is split 3-3 against this number.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
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