The San Jose Sharks and the Minnesota Wild meet Thursday in NHL action from the Xcel Energy Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a San Jose Sharks vs. Minnesota Wild prediction.
San Jose Sharks Team Preview
The San Jose Sharks come into this one looking to snap an eight-game losing streak after a 6-3 loss to Dallas last time out. Mikael Granlund leads the Sharks in scoring with 48 points including a team-high 38 assists while William Eklund has 34 points with 22 assists and Fabian Zetterlund has 35 points with a team-high 20 goals. MacKenzie Blackwood’s gone 9-20-3 between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 3.57 GAA and an .896 save percentage while Magnus Chrona is 1-6-1 with a 4.71 GAA and an .859 save percentage this season.
San Jose Sharks Team Facts
- The Sharks have lost each of their last 16 night games.
- The Sharks have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games at Xcel Energy Center following a loss.
- The Sharks have lost the third period in each of their last seven games against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Sharks’ last 10 night games.
Minnesota Wild Team Preview
The Minnesota Wild come into this game looking to rebound from a 5-4 OT loss to St. Louis last time out. Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in scoring with 79 points including 36 goals and 43 assists while Mats Zuccarello has 56 points with a team-high 45 assists. Joel Eriksson Ek has 60 points with 29 goals while Matt Boldy has 56 points with 24 goals and 32 assists and Marco Rossi has 37 points with 20 goals and 17 assists as well. Brock Faber also has 40 points with 33 assists this season. Filip Gustavsson has posted a 18-15-4 record with a 3.15 GAA and an .897 save percentage while Marc-Andre Fleury is 16-12-5 with a 2.86 GAA and an .899 save percentage this season.
Minnesota Wild Team Facts
- The Wild have won seven of their last eight games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The road team has covered the puck line in seven of the last eight games between the Sharks and Wild.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in nine of the Wild’s last 10 games as home favorites.
- The Wild have won the first period in five of their last six night games at Xcel Energy Center.
Sharks vs. Wild Prediction
I’m on the Wild -1.5 here. The Sharks are just playing out the string at this point because they have to, but San Jose doesn’t even look interested in playing spoiler at this point in the year. Minnesota’s had some disappointing performances as of late, but I think they know the task at hand and get a much-needed win in this one. Give me Minnesota -1.5 here.