Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 11-23-2018
NHL Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018
The San Jose Sharks will look to rebound from Tuesday's overtime loss to Edmonton when they finish off a six-game homestand against the slumping Vancouver Canucks on Friday. The Canucks have lost six straight games in regulation (seven overall) and own just two wins through their first 10 November games.
Logan Couture scored his first goal in 11 games Tuesday to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead late in the second period but Edmonton tied it up in the third and Leon Draisaitl scored the overtime winner to hand San Jose a 4-3 defeat. "You never want to give up leads," Couture told reporters. "There are too many odd-man rushes. It wasn't horrible tonight. It was better than it has been, but still too many." Canucks center Bo Horvat scored his 11th goal of the season and hit the century mark for career assists but it wasn't enough on Wednesday as Vancouver's third period comeback attempt fell short in a 4-3 loss to Anaheim. Production for 20-year-old phenom Elias Pettersson seems to equal success for the Canucks as the rookie tallied 17 points in his first 11 games, but has just two during Vancouver's seven-game slide.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver), NBCS California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (10-12-2): Sniper Brock Boeser, who sat out his ninth-straight game Wednesday, has been sorely missed by the Canucks as they've been outscored 29-16 during their seven-game winless streak. Despite having a save percentage of .893 during the six-game skid, goalie Jacob Markstrom is doing everything he can as the Canucks are giving up 35 shots a game over their last seven. "We can't blame (Markstrom)," Horvat told the media regarding his team's failure to secure wins. "He's been outstanding for us, making key saves at big times. We're in every single one of these games, and it's frustrating not to get two points. We need to work through it."
ABOUT THE SHARKS (11-7-4): Defenseman Erik Karlsson seems to be getting accustomed to life in California as he finally scored his first goal as a Shark Saturday against the Blues and is up to 12 points on the season. Brent Burns is on pace for the highest assist and point totals of his career as the blueliner is tied for fourth in the league with 20 helpers - the most by any defenseman this season. Sharks captain Joe Pavelski saw his goal streak end at four games against Edmonton, but assisted on Joonas Donskoi's first-period goal to extend his point streak to five games (six goals, four assists).
OVERTIME
1. Sharks F Joe Thornton recorded his 1,033rd career assist Tuesday, tying him with Mario Lemieux for 11th place in NHL history. The 21-year veteran needs seven more to match Marcel Dionne for 10th.
2. Canucks F Sam Gagner recorded an assist against Anaheim, his first point since returning to the lineup after being waived by Vancouver on October 1st and eventually sent to the American Hockey League.
3. The Canucks have lost five straight games in San Jose, with their last victory coming in a 4-2 win on March 31, 2016.
PREDICTION: Sharks 5, Canucks 2
NHL Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018
The San Jose Sharks will look to rebound from Tuesday's overtime loss to Edmonton when they finish off a six-game homestand against the slumping Vancouver Canucks on Friday. The Canucks have lost six straight games in regulation (seven overall) and own just two wins through their first 10 November games.
Logan Couture scored his first goal in 11 games Tuesday to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead late in the second period but Edmonton tied it up in the third and Leon Draisaitl scored the overtime winner to hand San Jose a 4-3 defeat. "You never want to give up leads," Couture told reporters. "There are too many odd-man rushes. It wasn't horrible tonight. It was better than it has been, but still too many." Canucks center Bo Horvat scored his 11th goal of the season and hit the century mark for career assists but it wasn't enough on Wednesday as Vancouver's third period comeback attempt fell short in a 4-3 loss to Anaheim. Production for 20-year-old phenom Elias Pettersson seems to equal success for the Canucks as the rookie tallied 17 points in his first 11 games, but has just two during Vancouver's seven-game slide.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver), NBCS California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (10-12-2): Sniper Brock Boeser, who sat out his ninth-straight game Wednesday, has been sorely missed by the Canucks as they've been outscored 29-16 during their seven-game winless streak. Despite having a save percentage of .893 during the six-game skid, goalie Jacob Markstrom is doing everything he can as the Canucks are giving up 35 shots a game over their last seven. "We can't blame (Markstrom)," Horvat told the media regarding his team's failure to secure wins. "He's been outstanding for us, making key saves at big times. We're in every single one of these games, and it's frustrating not to get two points. We need to work through it."
ABOUT THE SHARKS (11-7-4): Defenseman Erik Karlsson seems to be getting accustomed to life in California as he finally scored his first goal as a Shark Saturday against the Blues and is up to 12 points on the season. Brent Burns is on pace for the highest assist and point totals of his career as the blueliner is tied for fourth in the league with 20 helpers - the most by any defenseman this season. Sharks captain Joe Pavelski saw his goal streak end at four games against Edmonton, but assisted on Joonas Donskoi's first-period goal to extend his point streak to five games (six goals, four assists).
OVERTIME
1. Sharks F Joe Thornton recorded his 1,033rd career assist Tuesday, tying him with Mario Lemieux for 11th place in NHL history. The 21-year veteran needs seven more to match Marcel Dionne for 10th.
2. Canucks F Sam Gagner recorded an assist against Anaheim, his first point since returning to the lineup after being waived by Vancouver on October 1st and eventually sent to the American Hockey League.
3. The Canucks have lost five straight games in San Jose, with their last victory coming in a 4-2 win on March 31, 2016.
PREDICTION: Sharks 5, Canucks 2