Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Sharks vs Blue Jackets Odds
Looking for San Jose Sharks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets free hockey plays? NHL betting sees the Sharks taking on the Blue Jackets on Saturday October 15th at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(1-0) San Jose Sharks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (0-1)
Date: Saturday October 15th
Time: 7:00 PM (EST)
Venue: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Sharks -130
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: OFF
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
Live NHL Odds
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For TodayClick here to view… NHL ATS Stats & Expert NHL Betting Insight!
The Metropolitan Division in a strong one, boasting the likes of the reigning Stanley Cup Champions from Pittsburgh, the reigning President’s trophy winner from Washington, and the always dangerous New York Rangers, so it won’t be an easy road for Columbus.
In the West, big things are expected from the San Jose Sharks after a deep playoff run this past spring, and as the years continue to tack on to their strong veterans who are still looking for their first Cup ring.
Can Blue Jackets’ head coach, John Tortorella, light enough of a fire under his young squad this year to get them back to the post-season or is his act wearing thin?
San Jose Sharks
It’s never easy to travel to the mile-high city and compete in the thin air, especially at the beginning of a new season, but these Sharks have a number of veterans that should be used to it by now.
Leading the way upfront is the rejuvenated Joe Thornton, who was selected for Canada’s World Cup team amongst a bevy of other talent after a very strong 2015-16 season, where he tallied a point-per-game without any of the team’s 82 contests.
Joining him are elite talents such as Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, and defenseman Burns and Vlasic.
Check out the free sports picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Martin Jones was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings before last year, a strong young career back-up at that time who finally was able to get his first shot as a full-time starter.
He didn’t disappoint in his first season with regular duty, and now looks to be a steal for the Sharks. In 2015-16, Jones collected 37 wins in 65 tries with a 2.27 GAA and a .918 SV %.
The 26-year old will try to keep improving on his career 54-34-6 record and help lead his Sharks back to the Stanley Cup finals.
As mentioned, the solid defensive corps in front of him are led by two stars in Brent Burns and Marc-Eduoard Vlasic, both of whom had career seasons last year with 75 and 39 points, respectively.
Columbus Blue Jackets
I personally don’t think that John Tortorella is a good head coach any longer, not in the “new” (post-lockout) NHL and not since everyone is now very aware of his antics and how it can turn some players off from playing for him.
Look no further than the jettisoned Ryan Johansen, who was struggling under Tortorella and finally got a trade away from him and went back to performing like a #1 center again and a true young star in the league.
Columbus has some decent pieces up front, namely Boone Jenner, Brandon Saad, Nick Foligno, Brandon Dubinsky and the promising Oliver Bjorkstrand.
[dfads params=’groups=234&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
The trade of Ryan Johansen left a hole up the middle for the Jackets, but it did net them a great young defenseman in Seth Jones.
Jones, the son of former NBA star Popeye Jones, has all the athletic tools and the make-up to become a great #1 defenseman, and is one his way there as a 22-year old who is already entering his 5th season in the NHL, after being selected 4th overall in 2013.
He joins a young but promising back-end alongside the likes of Ryan Murray, Scott Harrington, David Savard, and the veteran Jack Johnson.
In net is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is often injured but has been effective when playing, owning a career .917 SV % and 2.55 GAA.
NHL Hockey Handicapping Trends
- Columbus won the only match-up between the two teams last season by a 5-2 margin.
- San Jose was 4th in the league last year with a 2.89 goals-per-game average.
Free San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Hockey Prediction
Goals were aplenty when these two teams faced each other a season ago at a total of seven, and there’s no reason to think that will change.
But I like the away team to pick up a money line win better here, as I think the Sharks keep rolling after winning game #1 of their season against LA on Wednesday.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Sharks -130
The Sharks offense is deeper than the Jackets’, as their edge on the blue line despite all of the promising young names in Columbus. Between-the-pipes leans in the Sharks’ favour and ultimately net them the win (pun intended), in Ohio.
San Jose went 28-10-3 on the road a season ago with a very similar personnel group.
NHL Free Score Prediction: San Jose 4 – Columbus 2
If you’re looking for more picks like this San Jose Sharks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NHL predictions on the blog during the entire 2016 NHL Season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NHL Hockey picks!
CappersPicks.com has Stanley Cup odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NHL lines up for early games as well.