Sharks vs. Predators NHL Picks, Predictions: Nashville Continues Series Dominance
The 2022-23 NHL season kicks off in Prague on Friday afternoon when the San Jose Sharks battle the Nashville Predators. Read on for our Sharks-Predators picks and predictions.
Following a preseason in which they posted a 3-0-1 record, the Predators are looking to earn a third straight trip to the postseason (eighth if you include the qualifying round in 2019-20). Nashville grabbed the final playoff spot in the Western Conference last season, but was unceremoniously bounced in the opening round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.
Boasting a 4-1 record this preseason, the Sharks haven’t sniffed the playoffs in three years. The finished the 2021-22 campaign 20 points outside of the final wild-card spot.
The Predators completely dominated the season series in 2021-22, winning all three games while outscoring the hapless Sharks 12-1.
Will Nashville run the table again? Here are our Sharks-Predators picks and predictions for Friday (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).
Sharks vs. Predators Game info
Date: Friday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m. ET
TV: NBCS-CA, BSSO, NHL Network, SNNOW
Location: O2 Arena, Prague, CZE
Sharks vs. Predators Odds
Sharks vs. Predators Odds Analysis
Every major sportsbook lists the Predators as the favorites, ranging from -194 to -200, with odds pretty similar no matter where you look. Bettors are split on the moneyline with 56% of the tickets coming in on San Jose but 61% of the handle backing Nashville.
The goal total is set at 6 at both DraftKings and FanDuel, but if you’re expecting an extremely low-scoring game, the Over/Under is 5.5 at Caesars Sportsbook. The Over on the consensus line of 5.5 has drawn 96% of the handle on 79% of the tickets.
Sharks vs. Predators Picks
Sharks vs. Predators Moneyline Pick
Predators (-192) ★★★★
Clean sheet (of ice) aside, I don’t see the dynamics between these two teams changing drastically to start the season. As was mentioned earlier, the Predators completely dominated the Sharks last season and were a superior team in Corsi For, Corsi For percentage, and expected goals for percentage. They also finished 20 points ahead of them in the standings.
The Sharks didn’t make any seismic additions to their roster, but they did ship 2017 Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns to the Carolina Hurricanes in what was a considerable salary dump. Like San Jose, Nashville didn’t make any massive moves in the offseason but added defenseman Ryan McDonagh and winger Nino Niederreiter.
With neither team making any franchise-altering moves, the Predators, boasting Vezina Trophy finalist Juuse Saros, and Norris finalist Roman Josi, have a much better roster on paper. That should translate to the ice.
Sharks vs. Predators O/U Pick
Under 6 (-114) ★★★★
The Sharks didn’t exactly strike fear in the hearts of opposing goaltenders last season, finishing in the bottom three in goals per game with 2.57. Conversely, the Predators were a middle-of-the-pack team in both goals scored and goals surrendered per game. The two teams combined to score 13 goals in their three game set last season, with most of those lit lamps coming in an 8-0 Predators win on March 5.
When you combine San Jose’s inability to put the puck in the back of the net with Saros patrolling the crease for Nashville, you have a recipe for a relatively low-scoring affair. Take the Under.
Sharks vs. Predators Prop Pick
Hertl Over 2.5 shots (+145) ★★★★
There’s definitely some good value here. Sharks winger Thomas Hertl was a model of consistency last season, averaging exactly 2.5 shots on goal per game. He topped the three shot-plateau 34 times in 82 contests, including five six-plus shot efforts.
With the Predators a middling team in shots surrendered last season allowing more than 32 per game, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hertl directs at least three pucks on goal.
Where to Bet on Sharks vs. Predators Picks
Sharks-Predators picks made 10/6/2022 at 9:40 a.m. ET
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