San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions November 5th 2024

San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets November 5th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Blue Jackets versus the Sharks? The puck drops at 10:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on NBCS. The game will be played at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. The Blue Jackets are the -1.5 goal favorites in this non-conference matchup against Sharks. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.

Columbus vs. San Jose Key Information

Columbus dropped to 5-5-1 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled early, giving up five goals in the first period.

Going into the game, the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 9 goals easily surpassed that. Columbus, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover.

Columbus fired 36 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson scored his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second.

Adam Fantilli picked up his fourth assist on Severson’s goal, and Zach Aston-Reese earned his second assist of the season on Labanc’s tally. The Blue Jackets recorded 13 giveaways in the game.

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The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled early, allowing the first five goals of the game, all in the first period. They gave up another in the second and one more late in the third. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves with a 68.2% save percentage.

The Sharks fell to 3-8-2 after a 3-2 loss to the Canucks. San Jose briefly led in the second period, but Vancouver scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds remaining. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark.

As underdogs on the puck line, the Sharks failed to cover. Nico Sturm put San Jose on the board first at 2:37 in the second period, but the Canucks responded with three unanswered goals. Mikael Granlund tied it up for the Sharks at 18:43 in the third, before Vancouver scored the decisive goal.

San Jose’s offense was held to just two goals in their 3-2 loss to Vancouver. Mikael Granlund netted his sixth goal of the season, while Nico Sturm opened the scoring for the Sharks in the second period, marking his second goal of the year.

The Sharks took 23 shots on goal but were hampered by 16 giveaways. William Eklund added to his assist tally, now with seven for the season, and Tyler Toffoli recorded his fifth assist.

Defensively, the Sharks will be looking 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 24 saves with a save percentage of 88.9%, and the defense recorded 6 takeaways and 21 hits.

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Sharks to defeat the Blue Jackets while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at +111, I’m placing a wager on the Sharks to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Sharks winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Sharks straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet 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.

Blue Jackets Look to Halt Skid as They Face Sharks and Celebrini’s Return

The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the midst of a challenging five-game road trip and aiming to end a two-game losing streak as they head to California to take on the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. San Jose will be especially motivated, as 2024 No. 1 draft pick Macklin Celebrini is set to return from injury, ready to make an impact after a promising debut in which he scored and assisted.

Celebrini’s Return Bolsters Sharks’ Offense

The highly anticipated return of Macklin Celebrini could add an offensive boost to the Sharks’ lineup. Celebrini was impressive in his NHL debut on October 10, notching a goal and an assist before sustaining a lower-body injury in San Jose’s 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. His skill and poise at such a young age have created high expectations, and his comeback could be a crucial factor for the Sharks as they look to secure their fourth win in five games.

Blue Jackets Seek Stability After Defensive Struggles

Columbus is coming off two tough losses, where they were outscored 13-4 by the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals. On Saturday, the Blue Jackets struggled defensively, suffering a 7-2 loss to Washington. Goaltender Daniil Tarasov allowed all seven goals on just 22 shots. The loss highlighted Columbus’s defensive lapses, as they tried to shift into an offensive mode to compensate for their early deficits.

Coach Dean Evason addressed the need for a more balanced approach, stating,

“When you get down early, you suddenly think you have to open it up offensively, instead of staying sound and simple and allowing that to translate into offense.”

The team will need to focus on disciplined play to prevent defensive breakdowns as they prepare for San Jose’s offensive resurgence with Celebrini back.

Key Performers and Goalie Matchup

Sean Monahan leads Columbus in goals with six, while Kirill Marchenko has a team-best 12 points (four goals, eight assists) over 11 games. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is expected to start for the Blue Jackets, with a record of 2-3-0 this season, along with a .907 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average. Merzlikins has struggled historically against the Sharks, with an .896 save percentage and a 3.29 GAA in five career games against them.

For San Jose, Mikael Granlund leads with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) over 13 games. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is likely to be in net, holding a record of 2-4-2 with a .893 save percentage and a 3.52 GAA this season. Blackwood has had relative success against the Blue Jackets, recording a .940 save percentage and a 2.21 GAA in six previous meetings.

Recent Matchups and Trends

The Blue Jackets took both matchups against the Sharks last season, with a close 4-3 win in San Jose on February 17, followed by a 4-2 victory at home on March 16. San Jose, meanwhile, will be looking to shake off a narrow 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks that snapped their three-game winning streak. The Sharks had shown marked improvement with wins over the Utah Hockey Club, Los Angeles Kings, and Chicago Blackhawks.

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Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky stressed the need for the team to maintain focus and discipline in key moments: “We (have to) learn how to win. We cannot have the brain lapses and poor puck play and think we’re going to win hockey games in this league.”

Game Outlook

With Celebrini back on the ice, the Sharks will look to reestablish their winning momentum at home. Columbus, on the other hand, will aim to regain stability and tighten up their defense to avoid another high-scoring loss. With both teams seeking consistency, Tuesday’s game offers an opportunity for each to find their footing early in the season.