Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Friday’s Pacific Division matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers.
Sharks vs. Oilers Odds
- San Jose Sharks Moneyline: +105
- Edmonton Oilers Moneyline: -125
- Puck Line: Sharks +1.5 (-235), Oilers -1.5 (+195)
- Game Total: 5.5 (Over -120, Under +100)
Game odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Sharks (20-58 SU, 47-31 ATS, 36-35-7 O/U)
San Jose dropped its seventh straight in a wild 8-7 overtime loss in Minnesota on Wednesday, despite rallying from a 7-4 deficit.
It was still a standout night for 2024 No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini. The 18-year-old scored his first career hat trick and finished with five points. He’s now tied with Matvei Michkov for the rookie goal lead with 24 goals and sits just two points behind Lane Hutson for the rookie points lead—though with fewer games played, Celebrini holds the best points-per-game mark among first-year players.
Hutson is the odds-on favorite to win the Calder Trophy according to Sports Interaction, who has him listed at -2000. However, while Michkov (100/1) and Dustin Wolf (150/1) are long shots, Celebrini still has an outside chance, with +675 odds.
The Sharks are just 8-21-9 on the road this season, and they’ve won just four of their last 20 games away from the Shark Tank, including four in a row. San Jose also hasn’t won a road game in Edmonton since Feb. 6, 2020, losing its last six trips to Rogers Place.
No team has allowed more goals per 60 minutes this season than San Jose, and only two teams have scored fewer goals. According to Evolving Hockey, the Sharks rank 32nd in expected goals percentage and shot attempt share at five-on-five, and their penalty kill has been among the worst in the league.
Handicapping the Oilers (45-33 SU, 27-51 ATS, 35-42-1 O/U)
Edmonton snapped its two-game losing streak on Wednesday with a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Place. The Oilers and Blues appeared headed for overtime, tied 3-3 with just seconds remaining, but Connor McDavid made a brilliant play to set up Connor Brown for the game winner with only 21 seconds left in regulation.
McDavid looked sharp in his return following an eight-game absence. Although he recorded four shot attempts, he didn’t register a shot on goal, but he collected three assists, including primary assists on both of Brown’s goals. With just four games left in the regular season, possibly fewer if the Oilers choose to rest him before the playoffs, McDavid needs seven more points to reach his fifth straight 100-point season.
The Oilers are still likely to be short handed on Friday. Leon Draisaitl has missed three consecutive games after a brief return to the lineup, and defenseman Mattias Ekholm has missed 13 of the team’s last 17 contests. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was also out on Wednesday due to illness, while trade deadline additions Trent Frederic and Jake Walman remain day-to-day.
However, goaltender Stuart Skinner is set to return from a seven-game injury absence. It’s unclear if Skinner will start on Friday versus the Sharks, or Sunday versus the Winnipeg Jets, but regardless, he doesn’t have much time to get into game shape and regain his confidence. Skinner had a brutal 20-game stretch before he was placed on the shelf, going 7-9-1 with a goals against average of 3.27 and an .881 save percentage.
Edmonton is 12-1 in its last 13 meetings against the Sharks, including four victories in a row. The Oilers have outscored San Jose 60-24 in those 13 games, but they haven’t dominated the Sharks yet this season, winning both games by a score of 3-2.
Best Bet for Sharks vs. Oilers
Connor McDavid Over 1.5 Points (-130) at Sports Interaction
McDavid has 17 goals and 28 assists in 31 career games against the Sharks and has recorded multiple points in five of his last eight matchups with San Jose. With another 100-point season well within reach, bettors should expect No. 97 to deliver again on Friday with another multi-point performance.
