The San Jose Sharks (14-23-9) travel to meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-30-2) Saturday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Sharks vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sharks registered a 5-3 victory against the Dallas Stars last time out Wednesday, snapping a 3-game losing streak. Despite the win, San Jose has allowed 3 or more goals in 4-straight outings, and 12 of the past 15 contests overall.
The Blue Jackets fired out to a 3-0 lead Thursday against the visiting Anaheim Ducks, but Columbus allowed 5 unanswered goals to lose 5-3. The Jackets are just 1-6 across the past 7 games overall.
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Sharks at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sharks -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sharks -1.5 (+155) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)
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Sharks at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Kaapo Kahkonen (5-8-4, 3.87 GAA, .870 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (5-13-0, 4.48 GAA, .868 SV%)
Kahkonen was touched up for 7 goals on 41 shots last Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. It was his first loss in 4 January starts, as he is 2-1-1 with a 3.98 GAA and .868 SV%.
Merzlikins was showing some signs of life recently, but he conceded 5 unanswered goals against the Ducks last time out Thursday. He is now just 1-5-0 with a 4.09 GAA and .878 SV% in 6 January starts.
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Sharks at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jackets 4, Sharks 3
Moneyline
The BLUE JACKETS (+120) are a solid short ‘dog at home against the Sharks (-140).
The Sharks have won just 16 of the past 51 games on the road, while cashing just 8 times in the past 29 contests against Eastern Conference clubs.
The Jackets are the play here, as not only is the underdog 6-2 in the past 8 meetings, but the home team has cashed in 4 of the past 5 outings.
The Blue Jackets +1.5 (-210) will cost you over 2 times your potential return if you want a little insurance and don’t trust them straight up.
That’s too expensive, however. Columbus looked strong early Thursday, but it hasn’t put together a good 60 minutes in a while.
PASS.
OVER 6.5 (-125) is the opposite of the series trends, but it’s the play with 2 goaltenders, which have been very giving lately.
Plus, the Over is 5-1 in the past 6 games on the road, while going 4-0-1 in the past 5 against Eastern Conference teams. The Over is 19-7 in the past 26 games against a team with a losing record.
The Over is 11-4-1 in the past 16 games against Pacific Division teams, while going 6-1 in the past 7 games when working on a day of rest.
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