San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction 2-17-24 Picks

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks meet in NHL action from the SAP Center on Saturday night. Who comes out on top in this inter-conference battle of cellar-dwellers? Let’s dive in and find out with our Blue Jackets vs. Sharks Prediction.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets come into this one looking to rebound from a 6-3 loss to Ottawa last time out. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets with 35 points including 28 assists while Zach Werenski has 30 points with a team-high 29 assists. Kirill Marchenko has 27 points with a team-high 15 goals and Adam Fantilli has 27 points with 12 goals and 15 assists. Elvis Merzlikins has gone 9-11-7 in goal for Columbus with a 3.21 GAA and a .904 save percentage while Spencer Martin is 3-8-1 with a 3.65 GAA and an .887 save percentage this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts

• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last 11 Saturday games.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games against the Sharks following a road loss.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games following a road loss.
• The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in four of their last five games as favorites.

San Jose Sharks Team Preview

The San Jose Sharks come into this one looking to build on a 6-3 win over Calgary last time out. Tomas Hertl has a team-high 15 goals and 19 assists for his team-leading 34 points while Fabian Zetterlund has 21 points with 14 goals. Mikael Granlund has 30 points with a team-high 24 assists while William Eklund also has 25 points with 8 goals and 17 assists on the year. MacKenzie Blackwood’s gone 9-17-3 between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 3.49 GAA and an .899 save percentage while Kaapo Kahkonen is 6-15-2 with a 3.43 GAA and a .905 save percentage this season.

San Jose Sharks Team Facts

• The Sharks have lost each of their last seven games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Sharks have covered the puck line in each of their last nine night games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sharks’ last 14 home games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Sharks have lost the first period in each of their last four games as home underdogs following a road win.

Blue Jackets vs. Sharks Prediction

I’m on the Sharks here. I just don’t feel like the Blue Jackets should be favored against many teams to begin with and even with the Sharks not on that list overall, I don’t think the Blue Jackets should be favored against San Jose on the road. San Jose’s best work has been done at home this season and while the Sharks are far from a world-beater, there’s actually value with them in a spot like this. Give me the Sharks and the plus money.