The San Jose Sharks (4-9-2) take on the New Jersey Devils (10-5-2) Sunday. Puck drop from the Prudential Center is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Sharks vs. Devils odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; split last season 1-1
The Sharks swim into Jersey after a 3-2 homestand. Their latest was a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild Thursday. No. 1 overall pick C Macklin Celebrini had his second and third goals of the season in the affair.
The Devils won their third straight with a 4-3 OT winner at the New York Islanders Saturday. C Jack Hughes scored his sixth and seventh goals, including the game-winner. Hughes has 21 points in 17 games, and provided he stays healthy, could finally be having that monstrous Hart Trophy kind of season.
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Sharks at Devils odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sharks +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Devils -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sharks +1.5 (+115) | Devils -1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Sharks at Devils projected goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood (2-4-2, 3.52 GAA, .893 SV%) vs. Jake Allen (3-1-1, 2.60 GAA, .904 SV%, 2 SO)
Blackwood was solid in his last start Saturday, making 25 saves on 28 shots in a 3-2 loss to Vancouver. He has allowed 2+ goals in each of his 8 starts this season. Blackwood made 1 appearance against his former team in a 7-2 laugher last season. He stopped all 13 shots he saw in relief.
We’re not in Detroit, but will the real Jake Allen please stand up? In 3 of his 5 starts, he has 1 goal allowed combined. In the other 2 starts, he allowed 4 and 8 goals. He hasn’t faced the Sharks in a couple of years and was 1-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .935 SV% in ’22-23.
Sharks at Devils picks and predictions
Prediction
Sharks 4, Devils 3
Moneyline
Shooters shoot, right? Jersey has won 5 of 6, but they’re on a back-to-back against a young team that has been pretty good at goal suppression. Other than the Wild scoring 5 times last time out, the Sharks held opponents to 1, 3, 2 and 2 goals the last 4 Games.
Not only that, the Sharks won in this building last year 6-3 as +373 dogs. In fact, they’ve won 2 of the last 3 in Jersey, and the Sharks haven’t exactly been apex predators on the ice.
Me personally, I’m taking the PL no matter what. If you want to get real frisky, take the SHARKS +290 or just go with the PL.
Puck line/Against the spread
As mentioned, I’m all over the SHARKS +1.5 (+115) here. This is the perfect happy middle ground because you can go big with the +290 ML or play it safe and get a goal of insurance while still potentially getting plus-money.
The Sharks have allowed 4 empty-net goals thus far, which isn’t terrible for a 4-9-2 team. Also keep in mind that Blackwood played for Jersey the first 5 years of his career. This is a bit of a revenge spot for the 27-year-old.
Over/Under
The Sharks are 5-8-2 O/U thus far, and the Devs are 8-8-1. The Over has cashed the last 3 meetings between the clubs.
With this being the back end of a back-to-back for Jersey, and my lean toward the Sharks, I like the OVER 6.5 (-105). I would probably wait for the puck to drop and for either plus-money at 6.5 or a juiced Over 5.5, though.
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