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NHL Predictions: 2014 San Jose Sharks Season Preview & Futures Odds

Bet On NHL Hockey: Sharks

Perhaps no team in the NHL will be as eager to get back on the ice this upcoming season in order to erase the memory of a brutal postseason collapse from last year as the San Jose Sharks.

NHL Predictions

San Jose Sharks
Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup: 14/1
Odds to win the 2015 Western Conference: 15/2
Odds to Win the 2014 Pacific Division: 9/2
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2014-2015 San Jose Sharks Betting Preview:

The Sharks took a commanding lead in their first round playoff series with LA, only to lose 4-3 to the eventual Cup champs in one of the biggest meltdowns in NHL history.

A couple of pieces are gone – Dan Boyle, Martin Havlat and Brad Stuart have departed but the core up from remains intact as management allows for one more run for this group.

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The Sharks had a good season last year. Their record was 51-22-9 – good for 111 points and second in the Pacific Division behind Anaheim.

Offense

Their offense was typically strong – 5th in the NHL.

Management saw no need to break up the strength of the team – Joe Pavelski (79 points), Joe Thornton (65 assists and had 76 points), Patrick Marleau (70 points), and Logan Couture (53 points in 63 games) and second year player Tomas Hertl make up an impressive top 5 forwards with names like Matthew Nieto, Tommy Wingels, James Sheppard, newcomer John Scott, Tyler Kennedy, Freddie Hamilton and Tye McGinn providing support.

San Jose can and will score goals this upcoming season as per usual.

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It appears as though their success may be dependent on…

Defense

Defense and goaltending have been a bit of an issue for San Jose the last few seasons and they enter this season without their quarterback Dan Boyle.

Underrated Marc-Edouard Vlasic takes over as San Jose`s Number 1, Jason Demers, Brent Burns, newcomer Scott Hannan, Matt Irwin and Matt Tennyson make up the rest of a defensive corp. that looks, on paper to be the weakness on this team.

And then there is the goaltending! Antti Niemi and Alex Stalock return to patrol the crease. Chances are Stalock emerges the go-to guy.

Last year he went 12-5-2, with a .932 save percentage, and a 1.87 goals against average. Niemi seems to be slowing down but is a proven winner and a good veteran presence for Stalock to lean on. If Stalock can somehow take the next step any worries about San Jose could be erased.

FREE Sharks NHL Predictions 2014/2015

There is little doubt that the San Jose Sharks are still an elite team in the NHL but their troubling trend of playoff collapses cannot be ignored. San Jose’s postseason issues have been long and they have been painful for fans.

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While I think San Jose is a playoff team yet again, their lack of top tier goaltending and their huge question marks on defense will continue to hold them back this year.

The Sharks have some pieces to contend – just not enough. As mentioned, a trip to the playoffs is virtually guaranteed – any sort of title – the Pacific Division, the Western Conference or a Stanley Cup seems a ways off.

A shakeup was needed in San Jose and that certainly didn’t happen this past offseason. Look for San Jose to be the best of the “B-level“ teams again and for inevitable changes to finally happen next season!

CappersPicks.com NHL Betting and gambling site provides the BEST Online hockey predictions for you to bet on for the NHL hockey season! Stick with us all season long!

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.