- Matchup: Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks
- Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Venue: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
- Broadcast: Sportsnet Pacific, NBC Sports California
- Betting Odds: Canucks (+164) Sharks (-198)
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On Thursday, the San Jose Sharks (6-6-1) are set to face off against the Vancouver Canucks (3-10-1) at SAP Center. The current moneyline indicates the Canucks at +164 and the Sharks at -198, with a total set at 6.5.
The Vancouver Canucks are coming off a thrilling 6-5 victory against the Anaheim Ducks, boosting their morale ahead of this matchup. In that game, they incurred 16 penalty minutes but showcased a strong offensive strategy, scoring 1 goal from their 7 power play opportunities, successfully converting 6 out of 33 shots.
So far, opposing teams have received 47 power play chances against the Canucks (ranking 7th in the league), converting 17 goals during those opportunities. The Canucks have faced a total of 459 shots, achieving a save percentage of .858. With 291 shots of their own, they maintain a shooting percentage of 14.8%. While at even strength, the Canucks conceded 48 goals and scored 34. With 44 power play chances, they netted 9 goals, resulting in a 20.45% conversion rate. The Canucks currently sit at 7 points, holding a points percentage of .250. This season, Vancouver has scored 43 goals (ranked 11th in the league) while allowing 65.
In goal for the Canucks will be Leevi Merilainen, who has appeared in 43 NHL games thus far. He holds a record of 18-17-4 and has started 39 of those games. Opponents have scored 118 goals against him, giving him a goals against average of 3.03. With 1,062 shots on goal against him, Merilainen has made 944 saves, resulting in a save percentage of .889 over 95 minutes of gameplay. He has recorded 18 quality starts, with a quality start rate of .462.
In their most recent matchup, the Sharks faced off against the Buffalo Sabres, suffering a 2-0 defeat. Despite having 3 power play opportunities, San Jose was unable to score and managed only 0 goals from 23 shots taken.
Currently, San Jose has compiled 360 shots (ranking 8th in the NHL) with a shot percentage of 10.00%, while allowing 404 shots against. They boast an 81.82% penalty kill rate against 44 power plays from opponents. Their save percentage stands at 89.1%. The Sharks have had 44 power play chances, scoring 25 goals at even strength and an additional 11 on the power play (ranking 9th in the league). Overall, they have conceded a total of 44 goals—36 at even strength and 8 while shorthanded—resulting in 36 goals scored this season, accumulating 13 points and a points percentage of .500.
Expected to guard the net for San Jose is Yaroslav Askarov, who carries a career record of 29-32-6 over 71 games. His quality start percentage is 44.9%, amassing 31 quality starts throughout his career. He has made 1,789 saves out of 2,013 shots against, yielding a save percentage of .889. On average, opponents score 3.26 goals per game against him, contributing to a total of 225 goals allowed in his career spanning 69 starts and 163 minutes of play.
Which team will emerge victorious in tonight’s NHL face-off, covering the spread or the moneyline?
Prediction: Back Vancouver (+164)
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