Avalanche vs. Sharks Prediction
A pair of Western Conference playoff teams will square off tonight when the Colorado Avalanche play at the San Jose Sharks on the final day of the regular season. Can Colorado make a statement heading into the postseason with a road victory?
Game Snapshot
57 Colorado Avalanche at 58 San Jose Sharks
Saturday, April 6, 2019
SAP Center at 10:38PM ET
TV: ESPN+
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Sharks are a -165 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Avalanche are a +145 underdog, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. As of Saturday afternoon, 55 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Colorado. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
Avs clinch playoff spot in OT
Colorado wrapped up a playoff spot Thursday night with a 3-2 home win in overtime Thursday night over Winnipeg. Erik Johnson scored the game-winning goal 1:49 into overtime off an assist by Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche (38-29-14) fell behind 2-0 through one period before rallying back. Tyson Barrie trimmed the deficit in half with 14:43 left in the second period with assists going to Nikita Zadorov and Colin Wilson. Carl Soderberg tied the score midway through the second period with assists going to Tyson Jost and Samuel Girard. Philipp Grubauer made 34 saves on 36 shots in the winning effort.
Sharks edge Oilers
San Jose improved to 45-27-9 on the season Thursday night with a 3-2 win at Edmonton. After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, the Sharks evened it up on a Marcus Sorensen goal assisted by Joe Thornton and Jacob Middleton. Brent Burns put San Jose ahead 2-1 midway through the first on an assist by Tomas Hertl. The Oilers tied the score at 2-2 in the second period, but with 1:12 remaining in the second a Gustav Nyquist goal on assists by Burns and Evander Kane put the Sharks ahead for good. Aaron Dell surrendered two goals on 28 shots to pick up the win in net.
NHL Betting Trends
Colorado
The Avalanche are 6-0 in their last six games played on one day of rest. Colorado is 4-1 in its last five games versus the Western Conference.
San Jose
The Sharks are 7-2 in their last nine games versus the Central Division. San Jose is 8-3 in its last 11 Saturday games.
Prediction:
The Avalanche could very easily have a letdown tonight as their playoff spot is secured and they face a tough opponent on the road. It will be interesting to see their intensity level for this contest, but regardless they are not going to lie down and let San Jose skate all over them. But with the Sharks playing inconsistent hockey as of late, they might have more motivation here to head into the postseason on a positive note with back-to-back victories. I’m going with the favorites here.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: SAN JOSE SHARKS -165