NHL Picks: Calgary Flames at San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks have been stumbling through this season. They’ve looked old, sloppy, thin defensively, and you can probably even question their goaltending. The once “sure thing” of a San Jose Sharks home win against weak teams is now squarely in question at just 11-9 against the spread this season. That said, the Sharks have won four of six and finally look sharp again.

The line is a little sharp but there’s value here. The Calgary Flames are just four points behind the Sharks, but they’re the inferior team. This ...

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a tremendous team on home ice. The Shark Tank is intimidating and the high-powered scorers that the roster is built around enjoy the right to last change on face offs.

The St. Louis Blues are on the road, on a back to back, in a long slump, and all parameters of the system fit. The only hesitation here comes from how sloppy the Sharks have been of late, so we temper our wager and expectations accordingly.

The computer sees a 60% chance of victory for the San Jose Sharks with 3.5 stars of value in the line. I think this is a high-value play, and were the Sharks playing better hockey we’d be all over this one. Instead, we go in with caution for a small wager with low confidence here.

Sharks 4 – Blues 2

NHL Picks: Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks

The Vancouver Canucks have been a pleasant surprise this year. The addition of Ryan Miller has them back to a team anchored in goaltending that we’re used to seeing from the days of the Luongo-Schneider platoon. The offense is still fairly mediocre, but the chemistry is undeniably there. The defense has been serviceable, and the Canucks are beating teams they’re supposed to be beating, which isn’t always how NHL hockey goes. It’s been a good run for the Canucks.

The San Jose Sharks are also heating up, winning three of four against ...

2014 NHL Predictions: Ducks, Kings, Sharks in Pacific Division Preview

2014 NHL Predictions: Pacific Division Preview – Ducks, Kings, Sharks

The 2014-15 season starts tomorrow, so we’ll post our final division preview before getting into game picks tomorrow. The Pacific division had three teams with a positive goal differential, which, not so coincidentally, meant three playoff teams last year. The LA Kings, who ultimately won another Stanley Cup, the top-seeded Anaheim Ducks, and the perennial postseason let downs, the San Jose Sharks. Does 2014 have anything new in store, or will this division play out exactly how it did last season? Can the newly renamed “Arizona Coyotes” squeak back into the playoffs?

San Jose Sharks (110 points) – Same team, same results. The San Jose Sharks are the most consistent team in the Pacific, which may be enough for a top seed as the rest of this division tinkers with their rosters. In any event, the mediocrity of this division will see the Sharks to another playoff spot where they ...

NHL Playoffs Picks, Game Seven: Rangers Flyers, Sharks Kings, Avs Wild

NHL Playoffs Picks: Game Seven Predictions – Rangers Flyers, Sharks Kings, Avs Wild

I’m sticking to my bracket and my basic strategy of flat betting, so these picks should come as no surprise. We’re one more night away from a perfect bracket. Let’s hope these guys can close it out at home.

Rangers over Flyers – I think the back to back helps the deeper team and I trust the Rangers here. I think they have an edge in every major category and should win at home.

I’m on New York. 3-1

Sharks over Kings – Can San Jose really blow this lead and continue their playoff struggles? Maybe these guys just aren’t clutch? I mean all they have is Olympic champions and a Stanley Cup winner in net… that must be it! No, I think the Sharks played well, stole one on the road, then had one stolen back. This isn’t as dramatic as people are making it, and ...

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks

NHL Picks Contest Game: San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks

Well, we pick the tough ones for our contest and this is no exception. The second game of a home and home between two elite teams poses a difficult choice. With my money, I will not be touching this game. With my contest pick and my heart, I side with the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks are the better team, in my opinion. They’ve won ten of 11 games and they’re cruising. They lost in the Shark Tank in the first of these two, but now they come back home ...

NHL Picks Contest Round Eight: San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize) Round Eight: San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks

Tuesday, December 31st

Christmas break is over and hockey is finally back. Another battle between California rivals gives us our eighth round of the contest. I think the Sharks are the better team, but they lack consistency on the road. The Ducks have been excellent this season, but they can be streaky. I think Anaheim versus San Jose is going to be a great one.

Who will win this game?

I know I say this every week, but it’s still anyone’s game. You can conceivably enter the competition right now and still win the whole thing. Not a single competitor has gotten past the four-win plateau. With a $50 prize for second place, this is going to be a fun run.

Good luck guys! It’s good to be back. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and let’s keep winning together.

As always, to participate, simply go to our Facebook ...

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues

NHL Picks Contest Round Seven ($100 Prize): San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues

I’ve picked another dandy for our competition. I give myself full credit for why you guys can’t break through and put a winning streak together. This is another coin flip.

The line has the Blues as slight favorites, but they’re on a back to back and played a very sloppy game on Monday. The Sharks are on the road, where they’re not nearly the same team. They’re on quite a skid and this is a dangerous spot for their poor play to continue. Blues have a ...

NHL Picks Contest: Round Seven – San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues

NHL Picks Contest Round Seven: San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues

Tuesday, December 17th

We have, as a group, failed to hit more than half these contest game picks. As a result, I’d have to say I’m doing a pretty good job picking interesting and difficult games. Hopefully, Tuesday will be no exception.

Who will win between the Sharks and Blues on Tuesday, December 17th? Sharks are one of the best teams in hockey, but they sometimes struggle on the road. Will the Blues’ defensive system give them fits? Can St. Louis score?

Who ya got? Simply comment on our Facebook post to participate.

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2013-14 NHL Predictions, Pacific Preview: Vancouver Canucks Still on Top?

Pacific Division 2013-14 NHL Preview and Predictions

1. Vancouver Canucks: New coach could signal a new era, but the departure of Cory Schneider should leave this goaltending unit a bit weaker than it’s been over the last few years. Even if Luongo isn’t the guy, however, there’s too much depth in Vancouver. The twins are playing for a contract, the defensive unit is great as always, and they have two legitimate scoring lines. I think that’s enough for one of the most consistent franchises in hockey to continue being consistent.

2. Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks lost Bobby Ryan ...