The San Jose Sharks host the Nashville Predators, Thursday Mar 11, as the well rested Sharks play their first game in five days. This is the fourth and final meeting between the clubs this season as San Jose holds a 2-1-0 series edge. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Sharks as -220 moneyline favs over the Predators (+190) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks NHL Prediction in early at BETUS.com
The Predators (36-25-2-3) have won five of their last ten and three of their last five road games. They are 18-13-1-2 on the road where they average 2.76 GAG and allow 2.94 GAG. They recently won in Atlanta 2-1.They had goals from Ryan Suter and Colin Wilson. Goalie Dan Ellis stopped 30 of 31 shots and is 5-5 in his last ten with a 2.70 GAA. Overall he’s 14-12-1 with a 2.59 GAA and a .913 SVPCT. The Predators began their four-game road trip without the services of defensemen Denis Grebeshkov (lower-body) and Shea Weber (upper-body). "We have six (defensemen)," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "That means everybody is going to have to step in. Everybody is going to have to bring their 'A' game as a group, and that means forward, (defensemen) and goaltenders." Nashville rookie Colin Wilson has five points in his last nine games (3 goals, 2 assists) since being recalled on Feb. 9. He bagged the game-winner against the Atlanta. The Predators have eight players with 30 or more points — only Washington (10), Chicago (9) and Philadelphia (9) have more. Nashville is seventh in the Western Conference with 77 points.
The Sharks (41-14-3-6) are winners of six of their last ten and three of five at home. They are 21-6-2-5 at home where they average 3.29 GAG and allow 2.29 GAG. They recently beat Columbus 2-1. They got goals from Dany Heatley and Joe Pavelski. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov stopped 21 of 22 shots and is 6-4 in his last ten with a 2.70 GAA. Overall he’s 36-10-9 with a 2.26 GAA and a .927 SVPCT. Center Scott Nichol practiced the other day but is expected to be sidelined another 7-10 days. He’s one of the NHL's top faceoff men and penalty-killers. Sharks forward Patrick Marleau has 14 goals and 25pts in the last 24 games . Marleau won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2010 Olympics, posting 2 goals and 5pts while unleashing a team-tying 28 shots in seven games in the tournament. The Sharks are first in the Western Conference with 93 points.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Favorite is 21-8 in the last 29 meetings.
- Predators are 5-17-1 in the last 23 meetings in San Jose.
- Predators are 3-11 in the last 14 meetings.
- Predators are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Pacific.
- Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Central.
Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks
When: Thursday Mar 11, 2009 10:30 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Sharks -200
Point-Spreads.com Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks NHL Prediction
The Bottom Line: Sharks are going to prey on the Predators. Be sure to get your Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks NHL Prediction in early at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
