In this article we will formulate a Sharks vs Wild prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, December 31st at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
San Jose Sharks Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks are 19-17-3 this season after they defeated Anaheim by a score of 5-4 in their last game. San Jose led 4-1 in the second period and 5-3 in the third, but they barely hung on for the win late in the game. The Sharks were out shot by a total of 42-13, won 44.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. San Jose got goals from Celebrini, Chernyshov, Eklund, Ostapchuk, and Ferraro, while Askarov stopped 38 out of 42 shots, which was a .905 save percentage.
Prior to that game, San Jose defeated the Canucks by a score of 6-3, but lost to the Golden Knights by a score of 7-2 before that. The Sharks have won two games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Pacific standings with 41 points. San Jose has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 3.46 goals against per game, while also going 17.9% on the power play and 78.4% on the penalty kill this season. Macklin Celebrini has led San Jose with 21 goals and 39 assists, while Will Smith has added 12 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for San Jose is Yaroslav Askarov, who is 14-10-1 with a 3.38 goals against average and an .898 save percentage this season.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 24-10-6 this year after they defeated Vegas by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Minnesota scored the first five goals in the game and they were able to cruise to the easy win. The Wild out shot Vegas by a total of 27-16, won 52.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Johansson, Faber, and Spurgeon, while Gustavsson stopped 14 out of 16 shots, which was an .875 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Jets by a score of 4-3, but lost to the Predators by a score of 3-2 before that. The Wild have won two games in a row and they are currently third in the Central standings with 54 points. Minnesota has scored 3.08 goals per game and they have allowed 2.58 goals against per game, while also going 22.7% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. Matt Boldy has led Minnesota with 25 goals and 22 assists, while Kirill Kaprizov has added 23 goals and 24 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 13-8-4 with a 2.47 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this year.
Why the San Jose Sharks will win
- The Sharks have won seven of their last eight games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Wild have lost three of their last four games as road favorites following a road win.
- The Sharks have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight road games against opponents on a winning streak.
- In each of the last five games between the Wild and Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose, the team leading after the second period has won the third period.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Sharks have lost 18 of their last 20 home games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Wild have won seven of their last eight games following a road win.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the last six games between the Wild and Sharks.
- The Sharks have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four home games.
- The Sharks have lost the third period in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Central Division opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Wild’s last 10 road games against the Sharks following a road win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Nine of the last 10 games between the Wild and Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last 10 road games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 12 of the Sharks’ last 13 games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
San Jose Sharks Player Prop Facts
- Macklin Celebrini has scored at least one goal in five of the Sharks’ last six games as underdogs.
- Macklin Celebrini has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sharks’ last six home games against Western Conference opponents.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Mats Zuccarello has scored a goal in each of his last four road appearances against the Sharks.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 11 Wednesday road appearances.
Sharks vs Wild Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup after winning their last two games and they have allowed two regulation goals or fewer in three of their last five. The Wild are 11-6-1 on the road this year, while the Sharks are 10-7-3 at home. San Jose has also won two in a row, but they have allowed at least four goals in four of their last five. The Sharks are allowing nearly 3.50 goals against per game, but they have scored 11 goals in their last two. Take the over here.