Sharks vs Flames Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Karlsson Builds on Impressive Point Total

The Calgary Flames wrap up their season tonight when they welcome the San Jose Sharks to Scotiabank Saddledome.

Calgary was officially eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week but has been hot down the stretch, going 5-1-2 through its last eight games. Meanwhile, San Jose continues to tumble with four losses in its last four outings.

Despite a disappointing season for the Sharks, Erik Karlsson continues to add to his impressive point totals and rewrite the record books. Will Karlsson find the score sheet again tonight? We’ll discuss that and more in our Sharks vs Flames NHL picks and predictions for Wednesday, April 12.

Stars vs Flames best odds

Stars vs Flames picks and predictions

The Flames did their best to push for a playoff berth down the stretch but it was ultimately too little, too late as Calgary fell 3-2 in a shootout to Nashville on Monday, ending their Stanley Cup aspirations.

Jacob Markstrom struggled between the pipes this season with a disappointing .892 SV% and a 2.92 GAA, but the netminder has had a bit of a resurgence in April, posting a .915 SV% and a 2.47 GAA through five games played. That’s helped Calgary hold its opponents to just five goals (excluding shootouts) over the last three contests.

At the other end of the rink, the Sharks have been out of the playoff picture for months, and the only real positive to come out of San Jose this season has been Erik Karlsson’s renaissance season. 

After posting just 35 points in 50 games last season and dealing with multiple injuries over the past couple of years, Karlsson hit the 100-point mark with a two-goal outing against the Jets on Monday. The Sharks blueliner became the sixth defenseman to record 100 points in a season, and the first since Brian Leetch did so in 1991-92.

Karlsson’s 100 points are 33 more than Logan Couture, the team’s second-leading scorer, and he’s factored on a whopping 43% of San Jose’s goals this season. The 32-year-old is looking to finish his season off strong as he’s amassed 15 points through his last 10 games, only failing to find the score sheet twice over that span.

While the Flames have been strong defensively of late, you can pretty much bank on Karlsson to factor on any goals that the Sharks score tonight.

My best bet: Karlsson Over 0.5 assists (-150 at BetMGM)

Stars vs Flames moneyline analysis

The Flames opened as the sizable -275 favorite on home ice but saw their edge drop down to -250 or even -235 at most books through Tuesday night. Calgary will understandably be disappointed after missing out on a playoff berth, but the Flames should still be able to handle the lowly Sharks quite comfortably even with nothing left to play for but pride. 

Calgary should be able to take advantage of San Jose’s miserable defense, which ranks 30th in the NHL (3.84 GAPG). It’s been even worse of late, as the Sharks have surrendered an average of 5.50 GAPG over their last four contests.

Both James Reimer (.825 SV%, 5.55 GAA) and Kaapo Kahkonen (.891 SV%, 3.97 GAA) have been poor between the pipes so far this month, so the Flames shouldn’t have too much trouble putting some pucks in the net.

Calgary has won four straight meetings vs San Jose, averaging 5.25 GPG over that span. Assuming those trends hold true, we should expect a comfortable win for the Flames tonight.

Stars vs Flames Over/Under analysis

The total for this contest opened at 6.5 goals. Given San Jose’s shaky defense and the fact that both teams should be playing pretty carefree, I’m going with the Over tonight.

These two clubs generally play to high-scoring affairs, as the Over is 5-2 in their last seven meetings, including each of the last three. The teams have combined for at least six goals in seven of their last eight matchups, and seven-plus goals in six of those contests.

Sharks games are almost always high scoring due to their team defense – or lack thereof. San Jose has cashed the Over in nine of its last 10 contests, with nine of those featuring at least seven total goals. The Flames are quite a bit better defensively, but have seen seven-plus goals in four of their last eight games.

Calgary is a middle-of-the-pack offensive team at 3.15 GPG but tends to run up the score against San Jose, having recorded five-plus goals in all three prior meetings this season. I expect a similar outcome tonight.

Stars vs Flames betting trend to know

The Over is 5-0 in San Jose’s last five road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs. Flames.

Stars vs Flames game info

Stars vs Flames key injuries

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