San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Predictions December 27th 2024

San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights December 27th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Golden Knights and Sharks. The game is starting at 10:30 ET on NBCS, and it’s hosted by the Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. Get ready to place your bets! The Golden Knights are favored by -1.5 in this Pacific divisional contest against the Sharks. The game’s over/under currently sits at 6.5 goals.

Vegas vs. San Jose Key Information

• Teams: Golden Knights at Sharks
• Where: SAP Center San Jose
• Date: Friday, December 27th
• Betting Odds VEG -250 | SJ +200 O/U 6.5

The Golden Knights Can Win If…

Vegas improved to 23-8-3 with a 4-3 overtime win against Utah. The Golden Knights were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined score of 7 went over.

After falling behind 2-0, Vegas rallied with four different players scoring. Brett Howden netted the game-winner at 2:15 in overtime.

The Golden Knights fired 35 shots on goal and scored four times in their 4-3 overtime win against Utah. Brett Howden netted his 6th goal of the season, while William Karlsson added his 2nd. Pavel Dorofeyev opened the scoring for Vegas with his 7th goal, and Noah Hanifin followed with his 2nd.

Hanifin also contributed two assists, bringing his total to 5 for the season. The Knights had 13 giveaways and were held scoreless in the first period before finding the net twice in the second.

Defensively, the Golden Knights will look to improve after allowing the first two goals and another late in the third period, which tied the game at 3-3. Adin Hill made 16 saves with a save percentage of 84.2%. The defense also contributed 10 takeaways and 22 hits.

• Vegas has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 3-0 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 1-2 in those same games.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Golden Knights have gone 8-2 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 7-3 in these matchups, while posting a 2-8 over-under mark.

The Sharks Can Win If…

San Jose fell to 11-20-6 after a 3-2 loss to the Canucks. The Sharks were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 5 goals fell short of the 6.5 set before the game.

The Sharks held a 1-0 lead in the second period, but the Canucks tied it up at 5:19. San Jose evened the score again in the third period, but the Canucks netted the game-winner with just 26 seconds left.

San Jose’s offense was held to just two goals in their 3-2 loss to Vancouver. Nico Sturm netted his second goal of the season, while Mikael Granlund added his sixth. Granlund had three shots on goal, and Sturm scored on his only shot.

The Sharks fired 23 shots on goal but were hampered by 16 giveaways. Tyler Toffoli picked up his fifth assist of the season, and William Eklund added his seventh. San Jose was shut out in the first period before Sturm’s goal at 17:23 of the second.

Defensively, the Sharks will look to bounce back after giving up a late goal with just 26 seconds left in the 3rd period, resulting in a 3-2 loss to the Canucks. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves with an 89.3% save percentage, while the Sharks’ defense recorded 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 1-2.
• Across San Jose’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 2-8. In these contests, the team went just 7-3 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Sharks to come out with a win against the Golden Knights while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at +200, I’m placing my bet on the Sharks to win outright.

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.

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

Tomas Hertl Returns to San Jose as a Vegas Golden Knight

Tomas Hertl is set to make an emotional return to the SAP Center on Friday night as the Vegas Golden Knights take on the San Jose Sharks. This marks Hertl’s first game in San Jose since being traded last season, capping an 11-year tenure with the Sharks. His return comes against the backdrop of two teams with vastly different trajectories this season.

Hertl’s Legacy in San Jose

Drafted 17th overall in 2012, Hertl became a cornerstone of the Sharks franchise. Over 11 seasons, he recorded 218 goals and 484 points, placing sixth in team history for total points. Hertl’s contributions were instrumental in some of San Jose’s most memorable playoff runs, making his return a highly anticipated event.

Hertl on his return:
“We had some great runs. I played there a long time, but I still want to take the two points from there and have a good game. … I really don’t know what to expect because I haven’t been in this situation before in my life.”

The Sharks plan to honor Hertl with a video tribute, acknowledging his significant impact on the franchise.

Vegas Golden Knights: Division Leaders on a Roll

The Golden Knights enter the matchup as the Pacific Division leaders, boasting an impressive .721 points percentage, the best in the NHL. Vegas has been dominant in December, compiling an 8-1-0 record and riding a four-game winning streak.

• Tomas Hertl’s impact with Vegas:
  In his first season with the Golden Knights, Hertl has contributed 10 goals (including a team-high seven on the power play) and 24 points. He played a key role in the team’s recent 3-1 victory over Anaheim, scoring the go-ahead goal and adding an assist.
• Vegas vs. San Jose history:
  Vegas has an overwhelming 25-2-5 all-time record against the Sharks, including a 12-0-3 mark in San Jose. The Golden Knights are also a remarkable 19-3-2 against Western Conference teams this season.

Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy:
“Right now in the Western Conference, I certainly feel we’re going as well as anybody, and that’s a credit to the guys.”

San Jose Sharks: Searching for Stability

The Sharks have struggled this season, sitting last in the Pacific Division with just 28 points. San Jose has lost five consecutive games, including a disappointing 4-3 defeat to Vancouver on Monday, where they surrendered three goals in just 70 seconds.

• Coach Ryan Warsofsky’s take
• “Today was four or five minutes, and we lose a hockey game because of it. … We got to find some mental toughness to push through and stick together.”

Despite the tough season, the Sharks have shown flashes of competitiveness, with four of their last five losses coming by just one goal.

Key Matchups

Vegas Power Play vs. Sharks Penalty Kill

Tomas Hertl leads Vegas with seven power-play goals. San Jose will need to neutralize Vegas’ man-advantage opportunities to stay competitive.

San Jose’s Defense vs. Vegas’ Offensive Depth

Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev each tallied three points in the teams’ first meeting this season, a 7-3 Vegas victory on Oct. 26. The Sharks must tighten their defensive structure to avoid a repeat

Emotions on Both Sides

Hertl’s return adds an emotional layer for both teams. While San Jose looks to honor their former star, Vegas will aim to support Hertl with a strong performance.

What to Watch

San Jose’s Homestand

This game kicks off a six-game stretch at the SAP Center, providing an opportunity for the Sharks to improve on their 6-9-1 home record.

Vegas’ Road Dominance

The Golden Knights are a solid 9-5-3 on the road this season, making them formidable even in hostile territory.

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Prediction

The Sharks’ recent struggles and Vegas’ dominance in the series make the Golden Knights heavy favorites. However, the emotional boost of Hertl’s tribute and the start of a lengthy homestand could inspire a strong effort from San Jose.

Prediction: Golden Knights 4, Sharks 2