NHL betting preview (March 6): Sharks vs. Avalanche odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Thursday’s matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche.
Sharks vs. Avalanche Odds
- San Jose Sharks Moneyline: -210
- Colorado Avalanche Moneyline: +175
- Puck Line: Sharks -1.5 (+118), Avalanche +1.5 (-145)
- Game Total: 6 (Over -110, Under -110)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Sharks (17-46 SU, 39-24 ATS, 30-30-3 O/U)
San Jose will conclude its seven-game road trip in Colorado on Thursday. The Sharks lost the first four games, extending their losing streak to eight, but have since rattled off a couple of wins. This marks the first time the Sharks have won consecutive games since early December.
However, the Sharks’ win streak will very likely come to an end when they visit the Avalanche, a team they haven’t defeated since May 5, 2021. San Jose has lost 11 straight meetings against Colorado, and sportsbooks like Sports Interaction list the Sharks as a +350 moneyline underdog heading into Thursday’s matchup.
According to Evolving Hockey, San Jose ranks 31st in expected goals and shot attempts at five-on-five. In all situations, only three teams have scored fewer goals than the Sharks this season, while no team has allowed more goals per 60 minutes.
That said, Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini still has the best Calder Trophy odds (-275), with 19 goals and 45 points in 51 games this season. However, Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov is hot on his trail with 19 goals and 45 points of his own, albeit in nine more games.
Handicapping the Avalanche (36-26 SU, 26-36 ATS, 28-30-4 O/U)
Colorado is looking for its fourth victory in a row after defeating the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Avalanche won each game by a margin of three goals or more, scoring 14 goals combined in the three games.
According to Evolving Hockey, the Avalanche have posted the fifth-best mark in five-on-five expected goals, shots, and goal share since the start of February. Additionally, only two teams, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, have allowed fewer five-on-five goals during that time.
Forward Nathan MacKinnon was quiet for the first couple of games following his MVP performance in Team Canada’s win at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but he’s been piling up points since then. MacKinnon is on a three-game point streak, tallying two goals and four assists in those outings.
Also, it looks like MacKinnon’s linemate, Martin Necas, could be available for the game versus San Jose. Necas was dealing with an illness during Tuesday’s game versus the Penguins, but he did manage to play through it and he told the media on Thursday that he is feeling better.
Best bets for Sharks vs. Avalanche
- Valeri Nichushkin Anytime Goal (+160) at Sports Interaction
Valeri Nichushkin has been back for three games and has generated 12 shots on goal combined since returning. The 30-year-old is skating on the second line alongside Casey Mittelstadt and Jonathan Drouin on the team’s second line. He isn’t receiving top power play minutes, but +160 is far too long for a player that has 12 goals in 24 games playing against the worst defensive team in the NHL. Therefore, Nichushkin is a good bet to score on Thursday.