The Nashville Predators (1-0-0) and San Jose Sharks (0-1-0) play the second game of the NHL Global Series at 02 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Predators vs. Sharks, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sharks picked up right where they left off against the Predators last season. After being swept in all 3 meetings last year, while getting outscored 12-1, San Jose fell 4-1 in the opener Friday.
The feel-good moment for the Sharks was when Prague native C Tomas Hertl scored their lone goal midway through the first period to level the score 1-1.
The Predators had 4 different scorers light the lamp, scoring 3 even-strength goals and an empty-netter by C Matt Duchene to put a bow on the scoring.
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Predators vs. Sharks nickname odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:51 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Predators -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Sharks +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Predators -1.5 (+133) | Sharks +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O:+110 | U: -135)
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Predators vs. Sharks projected goalies
Kevin Lankinen (8-15-6, 3.50 GAA, .891 SV% in 2021-22 w/CHI) vs. Kaapo Kahkonen (14-14-4, 2.87 GAA, .912 SV% in 2021-22 w/MIN and SJ)
Lankinen faced the Sharks twice last season as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, going 1-1-0 while allowing 8 goals on 56 shots, good for a 3.84 GAA and .857 SV%.
Kahkonen came over to the Sharks mid-season from the Wild. He faced the Predators 3 times, going 0-2-1 with a 3.39 GAA and .892 SV%, allowing 10 goals on 93 shots.
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Predators vs. Sharks picks and predictions
Prediction
Predators 5, Sharks 4
Moneyline
NASHVILLE (-180) is a little on the expensive side, but the Predators have owned the Sharks in recent seasons, winning 5 consecutive meetings and 7 of the past 8.
Puck line/Against the spread
SAN JOSE +1.5 (-170) should have a much better showing against Lankinen, and you can expect a little more firewagon hockey in this game. We saw the Sharks look a little sluggish in Friday’s game, except for the Hertl goal and early energy. With a pair of backups in the crease on both ends, this one will be a close, and high-scoring, game.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (+110) is worth playing lightly. We have a pair of backup backstops in the crease, and both Lankinen and Kahkonen struggled in 2021-22.
The Under cashed in Friday’s game, but that was thanks mostly due to G Juuse Saros and his dominance. He will be resting with the back-to-back, and there will be many more scoring opportunities for the Sharks.
The Over is a robust 6-2 in the past 8 NHL Global Series games overseas dating back to Oct. 2017, and it’s worth playing here.
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