The NHL drops the pucks on the 2022-23 season with a 2022 Global Series matchup over in Europe, starting with the Nashville Predators “hosting” the San Jose Sharks in Prague this Friday. The Predators enter the new season following an impressive showing in 2021-22, turning what was expected to be a down season into a 97-point campaign and a playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Sharks are in a very different boat entering the new season having missed the playoffs for the third straight season in 2021-22 and having major changes occur not just to their roster and coaching staff but to their front office as well. Friday’s game starts off a back-to-back between the teams in Prague, with the season series concluding February 23, 2023 in San Jose.
Opening face-off at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic is set for 2 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists Nashville as the -200 favorite (risk $200 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest Predators vs. Sharks odds. The Sharks are listed as the +170 underdogs, and the over/under for total goals scored is 5.5. Before making any Sharks vs. Predators picks, check out the 2022 NHL Global Series predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times and finds the best values on the money line, puck line and over/under. This same model nailed the Colorado Avalanche winning it all (+550) in preseason best bets last season.
Now, the model has set its sights on Sharks vs. Predators in this Global Series 2022 matchup and revealed its picks. Here are the latest NHL odds from and trends for Predators vs. Sharks:
Predators vs. Sharks money line: Nashville -200, San Jose +170
Predators vs. Sharks puck line: Nashville -1.5 (+130)
Predators vs. Sharks over/under: 5.5 goals
NSH: Captain Roman Josi led the team last year in assists (73) and overall points (96)
SJS: Timo Meier led the team last year in goals (35) and overall points (76)
Predators vs. Sharks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back the Predators
It’s no surprise Nashville is the favorite in this game. In addition to exceeding expectations across the board last year, the Predators also won the season series against a downtrodden San Jose team 3-0. The Predators also added some extra zip to their forward attack this offseason when they acquired Nino Niederreiter, who brings a sense of speed and pizzazz to a heavier Nashville offense.
Defense will be something to look at closely in Friday’s game, given how both teams have made adjustments to their blue lines. The Predators added veteran Ryan McDonagh while the Sharks subtracted Norris Trophy-winner Brent Burns, so there is an expectation that Nashville’s d-corps will be better at shutting down big rushes than San Jose’s is. Expect Preds captain Roman Josi to lead the way yet again with his two-way play.
Why you should back the Sharks
In addition to Burns’ exit, San Jose also hired a new general manager and coaching staff over the summer, so the overall expectation is that they’ll land somewhere at the bottom of the West this season. That underestimate could play in Team Teal’s favor and sets them up nicely for an upset in the season-opener as big guns Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl prepare to get their team back into playoff contention.
With Burns gone, the spotlight on defense shines brighter on two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, who looks as sharp as ever after registering three points (one goal, two assists) in two preseason tilts. Expect EK65 to cover both ends of the ice while Mario Ferraro and Marc-Edouard Vlasic step up to lock down the blue line.
How to make Predators vs. Sharks picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, projecting 5.7 combined goals. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Sharks vs. Predators? And which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Predators vs. Sharks money line to jump on Friday, all from the advanced model that has simulated this matchup 10,000 times.