Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Tuesday’s Pacific Division matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks.
Oilers vs. Sharks Odds
- Edmonton Oilers Moneyline: -275
- San Jose Sharks Moneyline: +220
- Puck Line: Oilers -1.5 (-110), Sharks +1.5 (-110)
- Game Total: 6.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
Game odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Oilers (43-31 SU, 27-47 ATS, 34-39-1 O/U)
Edmonton aims for its third straight win Thursday in San Jose, the first of three upcoming meetings against the Sharks. The Oilers began their four-game Pacific Division road trip with a win over Vegas on Tuesday, moving seven points behind the division lead and two back of the Kings.
The Oilers trailed by one after the first period, but Jake Walman tied the game just 19 seconds into the second before Edmonton added two more to take a 3-1 lead into the third. Hart Trophy favorite Leon Draisaitl netted his 52nd goal of the season on the power play, and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the second straight game. The Golden Knights cut the deficit early in the third, but Calvin Pickard shut the door, sealing the win in a low-event game with just 42 combined shots.
Edmonton has dominated San Jose, going 11-1 since the 2021-22 season, including three straight wins. The Oilers have covered the puck line in six of those 12 meetings. They won the lone matchup this season, a 3-2 victory at Rogers Place on Dec. 21.
However, the Oilers remain shorthanded. Contrary to earlier reports, Connor McDavid is unlikely to play in the next three games. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who has missed the past three games with an undisclosed injury, is also expected to remain out. Goaltender Stuart Skinner is unlikely to return before the Oilers head home.
Handicapping the Sharks (20-54 SU, 44-30 ATS, 35-33-6 O/U)
Thursday’s game marks the start of a three-game homestand for the Sharks, who enter on a three-game losing streak. While not locked into last place, San Jose sits just two points ahead of Chicago with a game in hand. However, with only 14 regulation wins, the Blackhawks hold the tiebreaker, making the Sharks the likely last-place finishers.
According to Evolving Hockey, San Jose ranks 32nd in expected goals, 31st in shot attempts, and 30th in goal share at five-on-five this season. Only two teams have scored fewer goals per 60 minutes (all situations), and the Sharks have been the league’s worst defensive team by a wide margin, allowing four or more goals in 40 of 74 games.
Alexandar Georgiev has gone 7-17-2 in 27 games since joining the Sharks on Dec. 12, posting a 3.80 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage. Among goaltenders facing at least 1,000 unblocked shot attempts, only three have performed worse in goals saved above expected.
One of the Sharks’ few bright spots has been 2024 No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini. Despite being the Calder Trophy favorite for most of the season, he has scored just one goal in his last 10 games, dropping his odds to 9/1. The 18-year-old has 21 goals and 32 assists in 62 games. Meanwhile, Tyler Toffoli leads San Jose with 27 goals, while 2021 No. 7 pick William Eklund paces the team with 55 points.
The Sharks are 12-23-2 at home this season, but they are just 4-12 straight up on home ice since Jan. 7.
Best Bet for Oilers vs. Sharks
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (+135) at Sports Interaction
Sportsbooks had previously listed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins shots on goal prop at one and a half, but they’ve since made adjustments due to his recent play. Nugent-Hopkins has registered at least three shots on goal in eight of his last 11 games, and he’s a good bet to do it again at +135 odds. San Jose ranks 31st in shots on goal per 60 minutes this season.
