San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction, 3/23/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks

Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC

TV: Sportsnet

The Vancouver Canucks (31-34-5) will compete against the San Jose Sharks (19-37-15) at Rogers Arena on Thursday.

The San Jose Sharks will need a bounce back game after taking a 5-4 loss to the Oilers their last time out. San Jose amassed 6 penalty mins in this contest. Moreover, they had 2 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to make the most of them. The Sharks had a good offensive outing and it showed in the loss. While out there on the ice, they scored on 4 out of the 32 shots they launched.

While playing at even strength, the Sharks have surrendered 230 goals while scoring 169 on offense. San Jose Sharks opponents have earned 219 power play opportunities (16th in the NHL) and have scored 38 goals in those chances. In terms of their goal scoring prowess, the San Jose Sharks have earned 203 goals (25th in the NHL) on the campaign and have allowed 268. San Jose has taken 2,129 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.5%. For the year, they have racked up 53 points and their points percentage is sitting at .373. The Sharks have seen 2,265 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .882. San Jose has 191 power play opportunities and they have scored 34 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 17.80%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Kaapo Kahkonen. Opponents have racked up 295 goals versus Kahkonen in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 3.22. Kahkonen has been in goal for 97 matchups over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage currently sits at .898 during his 5,503 minutes played. He has a win-loss record of 41-40-11 and he was named the starter in 93 games. During his career on the ice, Kahkonen has recorded 46 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .495. Kahkonen has had 2,900 shot attempts against him and has accrued 2,605 saves.

When they took the ice last, Vancouver faced off against the Golden Knights in an outing where the Canucks ended up losing by a final score of 4-3. They had 2 power play attempts in this matchup and earned 1 out of those chances. The Canucks tallied 3 goals out of the 34 shots on goal they attempted.

Vancouver has attempted 2,120 shots (22nd in the NHL) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.90%, while allowing the opposition 2,159 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 69.57% on the other teams 207 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 88.0%. They have a total of 232 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 22.84%. The Canucks are sitting with 178 goals at even strength and 53 goals (10th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 260 goals to be scored by way of 197 goals at even strength and 63 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this season, the Vancouver Canucks have earned a total of 231 goals, 67 points, in addition to a points percentage of .479.

Across the ice you will find Thatcher Demko in the crease. Demko is sitting with a lifetime record of 76-66-13 and has been in goal for 160 games. Demko's percentage of quality starts sits at 54.5% and he has qualified for 84 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has gathered 4,572 saves out of 5,024 shots attempted against him, giving him a save percentage of .910. Teams are averaging 2.91 goals per contest and he has relinquished 452 goals overall. He has been a starter 154 games and has played 9,306 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Vancouver

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