A Western Conference tilt concludes tonight's NHL slate, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the San Jose Sharks at Ball Arena. The NHL odds list Colorado as a -420 favorite, while the total is set at 6.5.
Colorado has won the last 11 meetings between these teams, with nine coming by at least a two-goal margin. I expect this trend to continue, as detailed in my Sharks vs. Avalanche predictions below.
Read on for my NHL picks on Thursday, March 6 ahead of this 9:30 p.m. ET puck drop on ESPN.
Sharks vs Avalanche prediction
My best bet
Avalanche -1.5 (-158 at FanDuel)
My analysis
The gap between these two organizations is about as wide as it gets, which is why the Colorado Avalanche haven't lost a game to the San Jose Sharks in nearly four years. Nine of those 11 wins have been by at least a two-goal margin, so I have no issue laying -158 on Colorado to do so again.
Just like in past seasons, the Avalanche are superior across the board. They generate more high-danger scoring chances, ranking higher than San Jose in xGF/60 over the past two months.
The Avs are also one of the best defensive teams in the league, ranking fifth in xGA/60 over the same stretch. The opposite is true for the Sharks, who rank last in that category.
Not only is Colorado the stronger team both offensively and defensively, but it also features the stronger goaltender as Mackenzie Blackwood is slated to start between the pipes. Blackwood has been sensational since getting traded to the Avalanche, posting a 16-7-2 record with a .921 SV% and 2.12 GAA.
Meanwhile, Alexandar Georgiev is slated to start across the ice against his former team. Since getting traded from the Avs, Georgiev is 4-12-1 with a .882 SV% and 3.68 GAA.
Sharks vs Avalanche same-game parlay (SGP)
Avalanche -1.5
Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal
Martin Necas 1+ assists
If we're backing Colorado to win by multiple goals, then we need some of its skaters to find the back of the net. There is perhaps no better candidate to do so than Nathan MacKinnon, who boasts 23 goals this season.
Seven of those have come on the man-advantage, which is yet another good way to attack San Jose, as the Sharks rank 20th in penalty minutes taken per game and 24th in penalty-kill percentage.
If MacKinnon scores, there is a high-probability that Martin Necas is involved, given that they skate together on both the first line and first power play unit. Necas has recorded an assist on each of MacKinnon’s past two goals.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Sharks vs Avalanche odds
Sharks vs Avalanche live odds
Sharks vs Avalanche opening odds
- Puck line: San Jose +1.5 (+120) | Colorado -1.5 (-140)
- Moneyline: San Jose +325 | Colorado -425
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-125)
Sharks vs Avalanche trend
Colorado has won each of the past 11 meetings between these teams, with nine coming by at least a two-goal margin. Find more NHL betting trends for Sharks vs. Avalanche.
How to watch Sharks vs Avalanche
| Location | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date | Thursday, 3-6-2025 |
| Puck drop | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Sharks vs Avalanche latest injuries
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