In this article, we will formulate a Sharks vs Blackhawks Prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, March 13th at the SAP Center. Let’s take a look at a San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks pick.
Sharks Are Struggling Again
The Sharks are struggling again here, and they have lost three games in a row. The offense hasn’t been awful, but the defense has really let them down. Three games ago, against the Colorado Avalanche, the defense gave up seven goals. In the last game against the Nashville Predators, they lost 3-2. The Sharks scored two goals in the third period, but it was too little too late. Collin Graf and Patrick Giles both scored a goal to pace the offense. Alexander Georgiev was in goal and saved 16 of the 19 shots he faced.
The Sharks’ stats jump off the page, but not in a good way. The Sharks are averaging 2.61 goals, while their defense is giving up 3.69 goals per game. The defense is ranked 32nd, and with the offense not scoring, they can’t make up for it. Alexandar Georgiev is expected to start for the Sharks. He has a 12-22-1 record overall and is giving up 3.64 goals per game. The Sharks have lost the last three games that he has started. The Sharks will play the Capitals, Hurricanes, and Bruins next.
Why the Sharks Will Beat the Blackhawks
- The Blackhawks have lost 12 of their last 13 road games against Western Conference opponents.
- The home team has won four of the last five games between the Blackhawks and Sharks.
- The Sharks have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games at SAP Center at San Jose against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six road games following a road loss.
- The Sharks have won the first period in three of their last four home games against the Blackhawks following a loss.
Blackhawks Are Cold Again
The Blackhawks are ice-cold heading into this game. They have lost two games in a row. Two games ago, against the Nashville Predators, they lost 3-2, and in the last game against the Colorado Avalanche, they lost 3-0. The Blackhawks’ defense was good in the first two periods, but in the third period, the goaltending broke down. Spencer Knight saved 18 of the 20 shots that he faced.
The Blackhawks are averaging 2.73 goals, while their defense is giving up 3.46 goals per game. The offense has been a little better than the Sharks, but they are still ranked 25th in the league. They are shooting 11.15 percent, which is 10th best, so it’s a problem with getting those shots instead of the actual number of goals they are scoring. Connor Bedard has scored 17 goals and added 35 assists so far this season. Arvid Soderblom is expected to get the start for the Blackhawks, and he sits with an 8-15-7 record overall, and he’s giving up 3.05 goals per game. The Blackhawks will play the Canucks, Kraken, and Kings next.
Total Goal Facts
- Each of the Blackhawks’ last seven night games against Pacific Division opponents has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Sharks’ last three games against the Blackhawks following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line at SAP Center at San Jose.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last eight games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sharks’ last seven games against opponents on a losing streak.
Sharks vs Blackhawks Prediction
The Sharks and Blackhawks both have so many issues; there are a lot better games on the board to bet. That said, I don’t know how we go anywhere except with the underdog. The Blackhawks have only seven wins on the road, while the Sharks have nine wins on the road. The Sharks offense has actually been decent as of late, even though they have been losing the games, and in this game, that scoring is going to finally pay off. The Blackhawks are 10-56 in their last 66 road games. The Sharks will end up on top. Back the Sharks on the money line.