The NHL is set up with another great slate of action throughout March 5. Ten games are up on the board throughout Saturday. One of these games will be between the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks. These two teams have been solid throughout this season and will look for a big win in this one. This game will drop the puck at around 8:00 PM Eastern time.
Nashville has earned a record of 30-20-4 so far this season, which has them sitting in fourth place of the Central division. The Predators have lost two games in a row and six of their last eight. Nashville is barely holding onto a playoff spot by a single point entering this one. I expect the Predators to come out quickly on the road.
The Sharks have put up a record of 24-24-6 throughout the season, which has them in seventh place of the Pacific division. San Jose is coming off a loss in their last game and have lost nine of their last eleven. The Sharks are ten points out of a playoff spot after this recent loss. San Jose will look to bounce back with a big win at home in this one.
These two teams have been solid throughout this season and will look for a big win in this one. The Predators have hit a wall as of late and are watching their lead on a wild card spot slip away. San Jose will look to get back on track while they try to make a playoff push. If either team can come out fast in this one, it could be enough for the win.
Game Overview
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| Teams | Spread | Money Line | Total |
| Nashville Predators | -1 ½ (+160) | -150 | Over 5 ½ (-105) |
| San Jose Sharks | +1 ½ (-180) | +136 | Under 5 ½ (-105) |
| Team Data | Nashville Predators | San Jose Sharks |
| Overall Record | 30-20-4 | 24-24-6 |
| Away/ Home Record | 15-10-4 | 13-12-3 |
| Goals Per Game | 3.04 | 2.61 |
| Goals Per Game Away/ Home | 3.14 | 2.50 |
| Save Percentage | .911 | .904 |
| Save Percentage Away/ Home | .904 | .898 |
Betting Trends
Nashville Predators
- 0-1 in March
- 6-7 on Saturday
- 8-4 when playing on two days rest
- 8-9 after allowing four goals or more
- 15-7 against team with a losing record
San Jose Sharks
- 0-1 in March
- 4-7 on Saturday
- 2-1 when playing on three or more days rest
- 2-9 after divisional game
- 10-9 after a loss by two goals or more
- 6-9 after scoring one goal or less
- 10-19 when playing team with a winning record
These two teams have met up once this season on October 26 in Nashville. Timo Meier scored the lone goal for the Sharks, but it was not enough for the win. Roman Jose had two assists, while Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg and Mikael Granlund all scored for the Predators. Juuse Saros stopped 28 of 29 shots as the Predators earned a 3-1 win at home.
Join us for #HockeyIsForEveryone Night presented by @Zoom!
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#️⃣: #HockeyIsForEveryone pic.twitter.com/84omD2QAt0— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 5, 2022
Special Teams
The Predators have been strong on the power play throughout this season. Nashville has scored on 40 of their 166 power play chances, which is a 24.1 percent success rate. The Predators have killed off 151 of their opponents 190 power play attempts, which is a 79.5 percent penalty kill. Nashville is 10th on the man advantage and 17th on the penalty kill.
San Jose has been stronger on the penalty kill on the season. The Sharks have capitalized on 28 of their 142 power play opportunities, which is a 19.7 percent power play. San Jose has given up 19 power play goals on 138 penalties against, which is an 86.2 percent kill rate. The Sharks are 19th on the power play and 5th on the kill this season.
These two teams have been solid on special teams throughout this season. Nashville has been the better team on the power play, but will have a tough task against the Sharks penalty kill. San Jose will look to break through on the Predators penalty kill. If either team can get a power play goal in this one, it could be enough for the win.
Goaltending Comparison
Juuse Saros will likely get the start in the crease for Nashville on Saturday night. Saros has started in 45 games this season, going 25-17-3 in those matchups. He has posted a .922 save percentage and a GAA of 2.50 in those outings. Saros finished with 27 saves on 31 shots in his last start against the Seattle Kraken, which was not enough for the win.
I expect Alex Stalock to make his debut with the Sharks in this one. Stalock last played in the 2019-20 season for the Minnesota Wild. He earned a record of 20-11-4 throughout his 36 starts on the season. Stalock posted a save percentage of .910 and a 2.67 GAA in those matchups. Stalock will look to step up early in this one as he tries to make a strong return to the NHL.
These two goalies will look for a big win in this one. Saros has struggled a bit as of late, losing four of his last five starts. Stalock will look to make his debut after being traded from the Edmonton Oilers. He has not played in the last two seasons, but will look to prove he can still compete at this level. If either goalie can come out quickly in this one, it could be enough for the win.
Pick Overview
The Predators have been the stronger team throughout this season, but San Jose is still in the playoff race if they can get going. Both teams have been struggling as of late entering this one. Nashville knocked off the Sharks earlier in the season, but I think San Jose will bounce back at home. If Stalock can step up early, I think they can win this one.
BetOnline has Nashville listed as a -150 against the money line in this one. This implies that the Predators will win this game around 60 percent of the time. I think that this line should be closer to even with San Jose at home. These two teams match up well on special teams and have been struggling. As underdogs in this one, I really like the value on the Sharks.
