San Jose Sharks vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions April 3rd 2025

Draisaitl Takes the Reins as Oilers Visit Struggling Sharks

As the Edmonton Oilers continue to push toward the playoffs, they’ll do so without their captain once again when they face the last-place San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. Connor McDavid remains sidelined with a lower-body injury, and while he returned to practice in a non-contact jersey this week, he won’t be suiting up just yet.

“It should be before the regular season ends,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “I think the most important thing is he’s healthy and 100 percent for the playoffs.”

While McDavid’s absence is notable, the Oilers aren’t short on firepower thanks to Leon Draisaitl, who’s picked up the slack in commanding fashion.

Draisaitl Delivers in McDavid’s Absence

Draisaitl has stepped up when the Oilers needed him most. After missing some time himself, he returned with a bang, netting two goals and an assist in a 3-2 OT win against Calgary last Saturday. That performance included his 50th goal of the season — the first player in the NHL to hit the mark this year — and an overtime game-winner. He followed that up with goal No. 52 against Vegas on Tuesday, now sitting just one shy of the 400-goal milestone.

Looking For High-Quality Picks? Check Out The Best Handicappers Today!

The German forward has played in eight of the Oilers’ 11 games without McDavid this season and produced 15 points (eight goals, seven assists), leading Edmonton to a 6-2-0 record in those games. His ability to carry the offense has kept the Oilers on track, who sit at 91 points and firmly in the playoff picture.

Jake Walman, acquired from the Sharks in early March, scored his first goal as an Oiler against Vegas — a solid moment against his former club heading into Thursday’s tilt.

Looking for value on tonight’s action? Get dialed in with sharp NHL picks and betting predictions for all the latest insight.

Chasing NHL Wins Without McDavid? Ride With Expert Picks That Deliver When It Counts!

Sharks Play Spoiler While Youth Develops

The San Jose Sharks may be out of the playoff race, but they continue to battle with pride and give their young core critical experience. Coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to Anaheim, the Sharks have now dropped three straight, but not without showing flashes of competitiveness.

Goalie Alexandar Georgiev was a bright spot in the loss, making 34 saves and impressing coach Ryan Warsofsky.

“It’s probably the best I’ve seen him,” Warsofsky said.

The Sharks fought back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period, getting goals from Marc-Edouard Vlasic — his first of the season — and Alexander Wennberg, who tied the game with just over three minutes remaining. William Eklund, one of the team’s brightest young stars, set up the game-tying goal and noted the team’s late surge.

Late-Season Uncertainty?

Trust Proven NHL Strategies To Power Your Picks!

Join Today!

“We started to take it to them and they didn’t want to skate with us,” Eklund said. “I think we were the better team, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the win.”

However, a sluggish start — including two breakaways allowed in the opening five minutes — put San Jose in a hole early.

From Breaking Stories To Key Trends, Find It On Gambling News.

“You’d have to be living under a rock to not realize what was going on,” Warsofsky said of his team’s early miscues.

Rookie defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin scored in the second period but exited early in the third after a roughing penalty incident involving Frank Vatrano. His status remains uncertain.