Columbus Blue Jackets vs San Jose Sharks Prediction 3-16-24 Picks

In this article we will formulate a San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets betting prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, March 16th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

• The Sharks recent form and recent player performance 
• The Blue Jackets recent form and recent play performance
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving San Jose
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Columbus
• Recent betting trends in games played between San Jose and Columbus 
• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between San Jose and Columbus 

Sharks Preview

The San Jose Sharks are 16-42-7 this year after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 6-3 in their last game. San Jose led 2-1 after the first period, but they allowed five of the last six goals for the loss. The Sharks out shot Pittsburgh by a total of 32-31 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. San Jose lost to Philadelphia by a score of 3-2 in the game prior to Pittsburgh, but did beat Ottawa before that. The Sharks are scoring 2.20 goals per game and they are allowing 3.91 goals against per game, while going 21% on the power play and 73.8% on the penalty kill. Mikael Granlund has led San Jose with nine goals, 33 assists, and 102 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for San Jose is Magnus Chrona, who is 1-4-1 this year with a 4.43 goals against average and a .872 save percentage. 

Blue Jackets Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 22-33-11 this season after they lost to Ottawa in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Columbus led 2-0 in the third period, but they allowed Ottawa to force overtime and lost in the shootout. The Blue Jackets recorded 37 shots on goal and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Columbus lost to Montreal by a score of 3-0 and Nashville by a score of 2-1 in the two games prior to Ottawa. The Blue Jackets are scoring 2.91 goals per game and they are allowing 3.58 goals against per game, while going 14.2% on the power play and 76.8% on the penalty kill. Johnny Gaudreau has led Columbus with 10 goals, 37 assists, and 130 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Daniil Tarasov, who is 6-9-2 this season with a 3.23 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts

• The underdogs have won seven of the last eight games between the Sharks and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites following a shootout loss.
• The Blue Jackets have won the first period in each of their last five games as favorites after coming off overtime.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four home games against Pacific Division opponents.

San Jose Sharks Team Facts

• The Sharks have lost each of their last 10 night games.
• The Sharks have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight night games following a road loss.
• The Sharks have lost the third period in each of their last six night games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sharks’ last nine games.

Sharks vs Blue Jackets Betting Prediction

Columbus comes into this matchup on a three game losing streak, while San Jose has lost 11 of their last 12. The Sharks have been one of the worst teams in the NHL this season and they are only scoring 2.20 goals per game. San Jose is 6-23-4 on the road, while Columbus is 12-17-5 at home. The Blue Jackets are also not very consistent offensively, scoring just three goals in their last three games. With both teams struggling to score, I am going to take the under here.