Vancouver-canucks vs San Jose Sharks Picks and Predictions December 23rd 2024

Canucks Seek End to Winless Streak Against Sharks

The Vancouver Canucks aim to snap their three-game winless streak as they host the San Jose Sharks on Monday night.

Canucks Searching for Consistency

The Vancouver Canucks (17-13-3) have struggled recently, securing just one win in their last five games. On Saturday, they earned a point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, but the frustration is building for a team seeking to solidify its position in the Pacific Division standings.

“It’s a good thing that we battled back to get a point, but it’s kind of getting annoying,” said Brock Boeser, who scored twice in the loss. “We’ve got to find a way to get two points.”

Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes have been bright spots for Vancouver. Boeser leads the team with 15 goals in 33 games, while Hughes has 32 assists and 40 points, both team highs.

Goaltender Thatcher Demko, who recently returned to action, has a 3.18 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage in four games this season. However, Demko boasts a perfect 11-0-0 record with a .925 save percentage and a 2.17 GAA in his career against the Sharks.

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet stressed the importance of avoiding risky plays.

“We’re not that type of team,” Tocchet said. “You lose the battle, and they get an odd-man rush. You can’t play that way … we have to dig in and clean that up.”

Sharks Looking to Break Slump

The San Jose Sharks (8-21-7) head to Vancouver on the heels of a four-game losing streak, most recently falling 3-2 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Luke Kunin and Jan Rutta scored for the Sharks, while Yaroslav Askarov made 39 saves in the loss. Despite the setback, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky focused on limiting mistakes against a talented Vancouver roster.

“We’ve got to defend the middle of the ice,” Warsofsky said. “And when we’re in our own end, we’ve got to make sure we execute.”

Tyler Toffoli leads San Jose with 13 goals in 36 games, while Mikael Granlund has a team-best 32 points. Recent acquisition Alexandar Georgiev has a 1-2-0 record with the Sharks and a solid .922 save percentage in seven career appearances against Vancouver

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Previous Meeting

In their first matchup this season on Nov. 2, the Canucks edged the Sharks 3-2 in San Jose. Pius Suter scored twice, and Boeser also found the back of the net for Vancouver. Mikael Granlund and Nico Sturm tallied for San Jose in the loss.

Key Matchup

The Canucks’ high-scoring duo of Boeser and Hughes will face a Sharks team struggling to find defensive consistency. Vancouver’s ability to limit turnovers and execute cleanly in transition will be critical against San Jose’s counterattacks.

For the Sharks, containing Vancouver’s offensive depth and staying disciplined in their defensive zone are key to avoiding a fifth straight loss.

Looking Ahead

The teams will meet again on Feb. 6 in San Jose and conclude their season series on April 14 in Vancouver.