Canucks vs Sharks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

Pettersson has found himself in a scoring rut, but the Sharks are a great team to get back on track against.

Todd Cordell - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Todd Cordell • Betting Analyst
Dec 23, 2024 • 11:41 ET • 4 min read
Elias Pettersson Vancouver Canucks NHL
Photo By - Imagn Images.

The Vancouver Canucks have dropped three consecutive games but find themselves in an advantageous spot to get back in the win column against the struggling San Jose Sharks.

My Sharks vs. Canucks predictions see Elias Pettersson exposing a vulnerable defense and helping Vancouver right the ship on home ice.

Let’s take a closer look at my December 23 NHL picks.

Canucks vs Sharks prediction

My Canucks pick
Elias Pettersson anytime goalscorer (+165 at Pinnacle)

My Canucks analysis
Elias Pettersson is in the midst of a scoring drought, having found the back of the net just once over his last 11 games played.

Pettersson has generated 48 shot attempts, which leads all Vancouver Canucks forwards, as well as 30 scoring chances. His shooting opportunities have translated to 3.21 expected goals. He just hasn’t had much luck, converting on only 5% of his shots on target and scoring 2.21 goals fewer than expected.

A date with the Sharks is a good spot for the tide to turn. They've defended poorly all season long and there are no signs things will improve anytime soon.

The Sharks have allowed 3.70 goals per game over the last 10 games, more than any team except the Buffalo Sabres, which has lost every game in that span.

All the numbers suggest San Jose’s inability to keep the puck out of the net is deserved. It ranks 31st in shot suppression and 31st in penalties taken, putting a lot of stress on a penalty kill clicking at just 73% over the last 10 games.

Pettersson ranks second on the Canucks in power-play goals and has generated more scoring chances on the man advantage than any of his teammates. The power play is where he does a lot of his damage.

Pettersson has scored in 33% of his home games this season, a stark contrast from his 13% hit rate on the road. Don’t be surprised if he finds the back of the net on home soil.

Canucks vs Sharks odds analysis

The Canucks have strangely struggled at home, winning only six of 18 games in Vancouver thus far. They’re understandably heavy favorites to get a result in this game against a Sharks team that has left with two points in only five of 20 road games.

History tells us that is the likely scenario — Vancouver has won nine of the past 10 head-to-head meetings, including all five on home ice.

The market has shifted slightly towards the Over of 6.0 goals, now trading at -102 on Pinnacle after opening at +102.

Seven of the last 10 games between these two sides have gone Over, with one of the three exceptions landing on a push.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Canucks vs Sharks odds

Canucks vs Sharks live odds

Canucks vs Sharks opening odds

  • Puck line: Vancouver +1.5 (-101) | San Jose +1.5 (-114)
  • Moneyline: Vancouver -241 | San Jose +225
  • Over/Under: Over 6 (+102) | Under 6 (-117)

Odds courtesy of Pinnacle.

Canucks vs Sharks trend

Elias Pettersson has a nice track record against the Sharks, scoring in three of the past nine meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Sharks.

How to watch Canucks vs Sharks

Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Date: Monday, 12-23-2024
Puck drop: 9:00 p.m. ET
TV: Prime Video

Canucks vs Sharks latest injuries

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Todd Cordell - Covers
Betting Analyst

Todd Cordell is a data-driven betting analyst. He uses numbers to help identify value across a wide variety of sports, with NHL being his specialty. Shot props, in particular, have proven to be a very fruitful market. Todd has served as a betting analyst in the public sphere for many years, most recently with theScore covering the NHL and MLB.

When not writing about sports betting, Todd stays busy analyzing the New Jersey Devils with a fine-tooth comb for InfernalAccess, his Devils-centric blog. Todd attended Sheridan College and graduated in 2014 with a diploma in print journalism.

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