Thursday’s NHL action includes the Columbus Blue Jackets (21-17-6) hosting the San Jose Sharks (14-26-6) at Nationwide Arena. The Sharks are underdogs (+145 on the moneyline) against the Blue Jackets (-175) ahead of the outing, which begins at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+.
You can watch the action on ESPN+ as the Blue Jackets square off against the Sharks.
Blue Jackets vs. Sharks Game Info & Odds
When: Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
TV Channel: ESPN+
Live Stream: Fubo
Live Stream: ESPN+
Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
Favorite: Blue Jackets (-175)
Underdog: Sharks (+145)
Over/under: 6.5
Blue Jackets vs. Sharks Prediction
Puck Line Pick:
Blue Jackets (-1.5)
Pick OU:
Over (6.5)
Score Prediction:
Blue Jackets 4 – Sharks 2
How to Bet on Blue Jackets vs. Sharks
Blue Jackets and Sharks Betting Trends
Columbus and its opponent have posted more than 6.5 goals in 29 of 44 games this season.
San Jose and its opponent have combined to score more than 6.5 goals in 19 of 46 games this season.
The two teams average six goals per game combined, 0.5 fewer than this game’s over/under.
Opponents of these two teams average 6.9 goals per game combined, 0.4 more than this game’sgame’s total.
The Blue Jackets have been a moneyline favorite eight times this season, and have finished 3-5 in those games.
This season the Sharks have won 14 of the 46 games, or 30.4%, in which they’ve been an underdog.
Blue Jackets Stats & Insights
The Blue Jackets offense’s 148 total goals (3.4 per game) are ranked seventh in the league this year.
The Blue Jackets rank 29th in total goals against, conceding 3.5 goals per game (153 total) in league play.
Their goal differential (-5) ranks them 15th in the league.
The Blue Jackets convert 11.2% of their shots, ranking eighth in the league.
The Blue Jackets have yet to shut out an opponent this season, averaging 19 hits and 16.3 blocked shots per game.
In their last 10 matchups, the Blue Jackets are 8-2-0 to earn 90.0% of the possible points.
They are scoring at a 3.7 goals-per-game average (37 total) over that time.
Over on the defensive side, the Blue Jackets have given up 3.0 goals per game (30 total) in those 10 outings.
Sharks Stats & Insights
The Sharks’ 120 total goals (2.6 per game) rank 26th in the league.
The Sharks have conceded 3.4 goals per game, 157 total, which ranks 31st among league teams.
Their -37 goal differential ranks 31st in the league.
The 9.7% shooting percentage the Sharks have amassed ranks 25th in the league.
The Sharks have not shut out an opponent this season. They average 23.1 hits and 16.7 blocked shots per game.
Over the last 10 contests, the Sharks are 3-7-0 (65.0% of possible points).
They have averaged 2.2 goals per game (22 total) during that stretch.
Defensively, the Sharks have allowed 29 goals (2.9 per game) in those 10 matchups.
Blue Jackets Key Players to Watch
A major offensive player this season for Columbus, Zachary Werenski has scored 50 points in 44 games (15 goals and 35 assists).
Kirill Marchenko is another top contributor for Columbus with 48 points (1.1 per game), scoring 18 goals and adding 30 assists.
Elvis Merzlikins has a record of 15-10-3. He has allowed 88 goals (3.12 goals against average) and racked up 704 saves.
Sharks Key Players to Watch
Mikael Granlund has recorded 12 goals (0.3 per game) and collected 25 assists (0.5 per game), averaging 2.4 shots per game and shooting 10.8%. That makes him among the leaders for San Jose with 37 total points (0.8 per game).
William Eklund is a key contributor for San Jose, with 34 total points this season. He has netted 10 goals and provided 24 assists in 41 games.
Alexandar Georgiev has a record of 10-13-0 in 26 games this season, conceding 81 goals (3.4 goals against average) with 590 saves and an .879 save percentage, 64th in the league.
Blue Jackets vs. Sharks Injuries
Blue Jackets: Sean Monahan: Wrist (Out), Erik Gudbranson: Shoulder (Out), Justin Danforth: Lower Body (Out), Boone Jenner: Shoulder (Out), Yegor Chinakhov: Upper Body (Out)
Sharks: Klim Kostin: Lower Body (Out), Nikolai Kovalenko: Upper Body (Out), Vitek Vanecek: Face (Out), Logan Couture: Groin (Out)
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