San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames December 28th 2024

Looking to win big? The Flames and Sharks face off at 10:00 ET on NBCS. The Sharks are hosting the game at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. The Flames are the -1.5 goal favorites in this Pacific division matchup against the Sharks. The over/under for the game is set at 6 goals.

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Calgary vs. San Jose Key Information

• Teams: Flames at Sharks
• Where: SAP Center San Jose
• Date: Saturday, December 28th
• Betting Odds CGY -158 | SJ +130 O/U 6

The Flames Can Win If…

Calgary fell to 16-11-7 after a 4-2 road loss to the Oilers. The Flames, who were underdogs on the puck line, couldn’t cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 6 fell short.

After trailing 2-0, Calgary tied it up in the third period, only to give up two more goals. The Oilers scored just 20 seconds into the game, and the Flames never led.

Calgary took 31 shots on goal but only scored twice in their 4-2 loss to Edmonton. Anthony Mantha netted his 4th goal of the season on a power play in the second period, while Yegor Sharangovich followed with his 1st goal of the year in the third.

The Flames recorded 22 giveaways and were shut out in the first period. Tyson Barrie picked up his 1st assist of the season on Mantha’s goal, and Mikael Backlund added his 4th assist. Kevin Bahl assisted on Sharangovich’s goal, his 5th assist of the year.

Calgary’s defense struggled early, allowing two first-period goals to the Oilers, the first coming just 20 seconds into the game. After the Flames tied it up at 2-2, they gave up another goal at 9:50 in the third period and an empty-netter with just three seconds left. Dan Vladar made 27 saves with a 90% save percentage, while the defense added 13 hits and 4 takeaways.

• Across Calgary’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 3-0 along with an over-under record of 2-1.
• Across Calgary’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 6-4 to go along with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Sharks Can Win If…

San Jose dropped to 11-21-6 after a 3-2 road loss to the Canucks. The Sharks were the underdogs on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, with the combined score of 5 falling short of that mark.

San Jose took the lead early in the second period, but the Canucks responded with three unanswered goals. The Sharks managed to tie it up in the third, but Vancouver scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds left.

In their 3-2 loss to the Canucks, the Sharks fired 23 shots on goal but only managed to score twice. Mikael Granlund netted his 6th goal of the season, while Nico Sturm added his 2nd, opening the scoring at 17:23 in the second period.

San Jose had 16 giveaways and didn’t capitalize on any power play opportunities. Tyler Toffoli earned his 5th assist, and William Eklund picked up his 7th.

San Jose’s defense will look to bounce back after allowing a late goal in their previous game against Vancouver. The Sharks had taken a 2-2 tie at 18:43 in the 3rd period, but they gave up the game-winner with just 26 seconds remaining. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves with an 89.3% save percentage, and the defense added 6 takeaways and 21 hits.

• Across San Jose’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 0-3. 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 1-9. In these contests, the team went just 6-4 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Sharks to pick up on a win over the Flames at home. With the moneyline sitting at +130, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Sharks straight-up.

Our projections have the Sharks pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Sharks, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions

Struggling Sharks Aim to Halt Losing Streak in Showdown with Flames

The San Jose Sharks, mired in a six-game losing streak, are determined to turn their fortunes around when they host the Calgary Flames on Saturday night. The clash pits a team in the throes of rebuilding against a squad fighting to stay in the playoff picture, setting the stage for a compelling contest.

Sharks: A Team in Transition

The Sharks’ recent woes were exemplified by a 6-3 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, the opener of a six-game homestand. San Jose led 3-2 through two periods, only to concede two short-handed goals in the first 86 seconds of the third, a collapse that highlights their ongoing struggles.

“We stopped skating. We stopped hunting the puck, and it ended up in the back of our net,” head coach Ryan Warsofsky said after the game. “We’ve got to learn from this. It has to come from within the room. We don’t know yet what it takes to win in this league.”

The Sharks, who haven’t placed higher than sixth in the Pacific Division over the past six seasons, are navigating a long-term rebuild. Yet Warsofsky insists that winning habits must begin immediately.

“It needs to start now. It can’t start in two, three years,” Warsofsky asserted. “The winning foundational habits are simple and direct. If we don’t develop them, this is going to be a long process, and we don’t want that.”

A Glimmer of Hope: Mukhamadullin’s Breakthrough

Amid the struggles, there are signs of progress. Defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin, a 2020 first-round draft pick, scored his first NHL goal in just his ninth game.

“I’m trying not to think about the points, but sometimes it stays in your head,” Mukhamadullin said. “I feel more confident, but I know there’s still a lot to work on to get better.”

The Sharks will look to Mukhamadullin and other young players to provide sparks as they strive to build a brighter future.

Flames: Eyeing a Playoff Push

The Calgary Flames, by contrast, are in the thick of the playoff hunt. With points in their last four games (2-0-2), including a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks before the holiday break, the Flames are aiming to sustain their momentum.

However, the road ahead is challenging. Calgary faces a grueling schedule of 22 games in 43 days, evenly split between home and away matchups, including five back-to-backs.

“It’s important for the players to recognize what they’re going to face over the next little while,” head coach Ryan Huska said. “We’re going to need everybody at their best during this stretch.”

Road Performance a Key Focus

A glaring weakness for the Flames has been their road record (4-7-4), an area they must improve to secure a playoff berth. As the league approaches the midseason mark, competition is intensifying.

“Always around New Year’s, teams are 35 to 40 games in, and the playoff picture starts to form,” forward Nazem Kadri said. “Those points down the stretch are huge. We liked a lot of what we were doing before the break, so now it’s about continuing that.”

What to Watch For

• Sharks’ Defensive Focus: San Jose must tighten its defense and avoid collapses like the one seen against Vegas. Staying disciplined in all three periods will be critical.
• Flames’ Offensive Firepower: Calgary has shown an ability to score in bunches. Players like Kadri will look to exploit San Jose’s vulnerabilities.
• Young Talent on Display: Mukhamadullin and other Sharks prospects offer a glimpse into the future, making them players to watch in this matchup.

Conclusion

While the Sharks aim to rediscover their identity and establish a winning culture, the Flames are focused on climbing the standings and addressing key weaknesses, particularly on the road. The game represents a pivotal moment for both teams—San Jose seeking growth and pride, Calgary aiming for consistency and a playoff push.