NY Rangers vs San Jose Sharks Picks and Predictions November 14th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Sharks and Rangers. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on NBCS, and it’s hosted by the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 6.5 goals, with the Rangers being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Sharks.

San Jose vs. New York Key Information

• Teams: Sharks at Rangers
• Where: Madison Square Garden New York
• Date: Thursday, November 14th
• Betting Odds NYR -393 | SJ +312 O/U 6.5

The Sharks Can Win If…

San Jose’s 3-2 loss to the Canucks dropped them to 5-9-3 for the season. The Sharks held a 2-1 lead in the third period, but Vancouver scored twice to hand San Jose the loss.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark. The Sharks were underdogs on the puck line, and failed to cover.

The Sharks took 23 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 3-2 loss to the Canucks. Mikael Granlund scored his sixth goal of the season, while Nico Sturm added his second. San Jose was held scoreless in the first period before Sturm opened the scoring at 17:23 in the second.

Granlund’s goal came with just 1:17 left in the game. The Sharks had 16 giveaways and failed to score on the power play.

San Jose’s defense will be looking to bounce back after allowing a late goal with just 26 seconds left, leading to a 3-2 loss against the Canucks. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves with a save percentage of 89.3%. The Sharks’ defense finished with 21 hits and 6 takeaways.

• San Jose has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Across San Jose’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 8-2 and an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Rangers Can Win If…

The Rangers improved to 9-4-1 with a 5-2 win over the Islanders. As -1.5 goal favorites, they covered the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.

Four different players scored for the Rangers, with Artemi Panarin leading the way with two goals. The Rangers’ defense held the Islanders scoreless in the third period, sealing the win.

Artemi Panarin led the way for the Rangers with two goals, bringing his season total to 9, including an empty-netter. Chris Kreider opened the scoring with his 8th goal, which came while the Rangers were shorthanded. Vincent Trocheck added his 4th goal of the season, and Adam Edstrom netted his 1st.

Mika Zibanejad picked up two assists, giving him 8 for the season. The Rangers fired 40 shots on goal and scored once on the power play. They also had 14 giveaways in the game.

On the defensive side, Igor Shesterkin made 35 saves with a 94.6% save percentage, helping the Rangers secure the win. The defense also contributed 10 takeaways, 19 hits, and 18 blocks. After allowing a late goal in the 2nd period, they shut out the Islanders in the 3rd.

• Through their last three regular season contests, New York has a record of 1-2. Across these games, their puck line record was just 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 2-1.
• The Rangers have gone 6-4 over their last ten regular season games. This includes going 4-6 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline bet in this one, we have the Rangers coming out on top. However, with the lines sitting at -393, I’d recommend looking to the spread as our projections have the Rangers winning by more than one goal.

When making a puck line pick, we’re backing the Rangers to win and cover. Watch for the Rangers to win this game by multiple goals over the Sharks.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to remain below that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the under.

Rangers Look to Bounce Back Against the Sharks

The New York Rangers (4-4-0 in their last eight) are back on home ice Thursday, aiming to regroup after a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Despite showing offensive firepower with 36 shots on goal, New York was undone by costly turnovers and defensive lapses that left them chasing the game early and often. Thursday’s contest against the San Jose Sharks offers a chance for the Rangers to iron out these issues and get back on track.

Costly Mistakes and Defensive Gaps

Against Winnipeg, New York struggled to maintain a solid defensive structure, a pattern seen in other recent losses. Head coach Peter Laviolette noted that while the Rangers were generating offensive chances, they allowed gaps that left them vulnerable to counterattacks.

“Sometimes you have to cover up and make sure that you’re not bleeding the other way,” Laviolette said. “Those incidents, they cost us.”

This theme has been recurrent in the Rangers’ recent performances, with turnovers in critical areas, especially in the defensive zone. Star center Mika Zibanejad, who has been in a scoring slump with only two goals and nine assists, made two costly turnovers, including one in the first minute that allowed Winnipeg to take an early lead.

“I know that we count on Mika,” Laviolette said. “Sometimes when you’re pushing offensively to try and make things happen, things can go the other way.”

San Jose Sharks: Finding Momentum After a Slow Start

The Sharks, meanwhile, have picked up steam following a rough season-opening nine-game losing streak. Going 5-2-1 in their last eight games, San Jose has shown resilience and fight, demonstrated in their recent 4-3 shootout loss to Philadelphia. The Sharks erased a three-goal deficit to force overtime, with goals from Jack Thompson, Mikael Granlund, and former Ranger Barclay Goodrow.

San Jose’s improved form has been bolstered by stellar goaltending, particularly from Mackenzie Blackwood, who recorded 44 saves in their 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils. However, the Sharks’ defense remains porous, allowing 40 or more shots on goal six times this season, something head coach Ryan Warsofsky is looking to address.

“We did some good things at times but couldn’t play with the same energy and competitiveness,” Warsofsky commented, reflecting on the challenge of maintaining consistency.

Key Matchups and Factors

Defensive Discipline and Turnover Management

The Rangers need to tighten up their defensive game to avoid falling into a similar trap as against Winnipeg. Mistakes in their own end have proven costly, and Laviolette will want to see more focus and composure, especially from players like Zibanejad, who are crucial to the team’s offensive and defensive structure.

Zibanejad’s Form and Impact

With a slow start to the season, Zibanejad’s performance will be under the microscope. The Rangers rely heavily on him as a playmaker and goal-scorer, and a productive night from him could ease the burden on the rest of the roster.

Sharks’ Goaltending Resilience

If Mackenzie Blackwood continues his strong play, he could be a significant obstacle for the Rangers. San Jose’s ability to handle the Rangers’ offensive pressure and capitalize on any turnovers will likely define their chances.

Special Teams

Both teams will look to capitalize on power-play opportunities. The Rangers’ power play has shown flashes of effectiveness, while the Sharks have been inconsistent in both penalty killing and taking advantage with the man advantage. Given New York’s struggles at even strength, a power-play boost could be vital.

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Recent Rivalry History

The Rangers have dominated the series recently, with a 9-0-2 record over the past 11 games against the Sharks, many of which were closely contested. With both teams eager for a win, this matchup could add another intense chapter to their rivalry.

Final Thoughts

For the Rangers, Thursday’s game is an opportunity to reset, make smarter decisions, and limit mistakes that have cost them valuable points. Meanwhile, the Sharks, riding recent momentum, will aim to bring their competitive edge to Madison Square Garden and secure a statement win on the road. The stage is set for a closely-fought contest, as New York looks to find consistency and San Jose seeks to prove their recent form is no fluke.