Ducks vs. Sharks Prediction
The host San Jose Sharks swept the Anaheim Ducks last season in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. Will Anaheim gain a semblance of revenge tonight with a series-opening victory on the road?
Game Snapshot
7 Anaheim Ducks at 8 San Jose Sharks
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
SAP Center at 10:30PM ET
TV: NBCSP
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Sharks are a -170 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Falcons are a +150 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 runs. As of Wednesday morning, 81 percent of public bets are pouring in on host San Jose. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Ducks looking to get younger
Anaheim has been led by veteran forwards such as Ryan Getzlaf (11 goals) and Corey Perry (36 goals last two years combined) for many years, but it is clear it is time to go through a youth movement. Perry will be out indefinitely following knee surgery, while one promising youngster in Ondrej Kase (20 goals, 18 assists) is out after suffering a brain injury in Saturday’s preseason game. That puts more on the plate of 25-year-old winger Rickard Rakell after his 34-goal season a year ago, which followed up a 33-goal effort. Other younger players looked to for immediate contributions will be Max Comtois, Sam Steel and Troy Terry.
Sharks make huge offseason splash
San Jose made the biggest noise during the offseason as it traded for former Senators star defenseman Erik Karlsson. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, the Sharks traded two NHL players plus an assortment of prospects and draft picks to acquire him. Since debuting in the NHL in 2009-10, Karlsson leads all defensemen with 518 points. San Jose also boasts the second-most player in defensemen points during that span as Brent Burns has accumulated 449 points. Karlsson has notched the most assists with 392, while Burns has the most goals with 147. Additionally, the Sharks will have a full season out of Evander Kane after trading for him before the deadline last season.
NHL Betting Trends
Anaheim
The under is 5-0 in the last five Ducks games on Wednesdays. Anaheim is 0-6 in the last six meetings.
San Jose
The under is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings in San Jose. The Sharks are 12-4 in their last 16 home games versus the Ducks.
Prediction:
San Jose has a shiny new piece in Karlsson, while the Ducks are banged up coming into this contest. There will be better days ahead for Anaheim, but right now it is likely going to struggle against an opponent that has had its number for a while.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: SAN JOSE SHARKS -170