The San Jose Sharks (16-42-7) travel to face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-34-11) on Saturday, March 16th. This game will be played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus and televised on NBCS. Both the Sharks and Blue Jackets will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Sharks vs Blue Jackets

The San Jose Sharks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

So far this season, the Sharks have gone 16-42-7, which has them in 8th place in the Pacific Division and 16th place in the Western Conference. On the road, San Jose has gone just 6-23-4, and they have lost each of their last three road games. As the underdog, the Sharks have gone 16-42-7, and they have lost two straight games when not favored.

Over their last ten games, San Jose has gone just 1-9, and they have lost two straight games as the underdog. In the Western Conference, the Sharks have gone 8-27, and they have gone 1-4 in their last five games overall.

San Jose enters the game with an average scoring margin of -1.8 goals per game and has gone 31-34 against the puck line this season. So far, the team has dropped 34 games by multiple goals and 15 by just one goal.

On the road, the Sharks have a puck line record of 16-17, and their average scoring margin sits at -1.8 goals per contest. Over their last ten games away from home, San Jose has gone 8-2 vs. the puck line.

After suffering a 6-3 loss on the road to the Penguins, the Sharks are looking to bounce back today. Scoring-wise, the Sharks put up two goals during the first period and one time in the second period. In the game, San Jose managed to score all three goals at even strength. They concluded with 32 shots on goal and committed 4 turnovers.

Entering the game as the underdog, San Jose not only suffered a straight-up loss but also failed to cover the puck line. The over/under line going into the game was 6 goals, which the teams surpassed with their combined 9 goals.

The Columbus Blue Jackets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

At home this season, the Blue Jackets have gone 12-18-5. In the Eastern Conference, Columbus is 16th with a record of 22-34-11. In the Metropolitan Division, the Blue Jackets are in 8th place.

Over their last ten games, the Blue Jackets have gone 4-6. Columbus has lost three straight games and has been the underdog in 60 of their 66 games this season. When favored, the Blue Jackets are 3-2-1.

So far this season, Columbus has gone 19-15 at home against the puck line, and they have 14 wins by more than one goal. Overall, the Blue Jackets’ puck line record is 38-28.

Over their last ten games at home, the Blue Jackets have gone 7-3 against the puck line, and they have 26 losses by more than one goal. In their last three games, Columbus has gone 2-1 against the puck line.

After suffering a 3-2 loss at home to the Senators, the Blue Jackets are looking to bounce back today. In the 3rd period, the Blue Jackets found the net one time against the Senators after their one goal in the first period. Out of Columbus’ two goals, one were scored during power plays. They concluded the game with 37 shots on goal and had four giveaways.

Columbus went into the game as the underdogs, but they still managed to cover the puck line despite the loss. With a combined total of 5 goals, the game concluded below the over/under line of 6.5.

San Jose Offense Breakdown

The Sharks come into the game scoring an average of 2.2 goals per game, putting them 32nd in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 32nd in the league. In terms of the Sharks’ offense during power plays, they are 27th in power play goals and 31st in shorthanded goals.

The Sharks come in with an over/under record of 29-33-3. Over the course of the season, they have had 37 games failing to surpass the 6.5 goal over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is at 6.2 per game.

Blue Jackets Offense Breakdown

In terms of their offensive performance, the Blue Jackets are averaging 2.9 goals per game this season, putting them in the 24th spot in the NHL. When it comes to shots on goal per game, they are ranked 20th in the league. Looking at how the Blue Jackets’ offense is performing during power plays, they are 32nd in power play goals and 29th in shorthanded goals.

The Blue Jackets have posted an over/under record of 31-32-3 so far this season. During last season, they participated in 36 games that did not exceed the over/under line set at 6.5. On average, their games had 6.6 goals per game.

San Jose Team Defense

Defensively, the Sharks are currently 1st in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 34.1 shots per game against San Jose. They also are 30th in shutouts, coming in with 1 shutouts.

Columbus Team Defense

Columbus defense takes on the Sharks ranked 2nd in goals allowed. On average, opponents are averaging 33.2 shots per game against Columbus. They also are 29th in shutouts, with 1 shutouts.

Sharks vs Blue Jackets Trends

• When looking at their past five road matchups, San Jose has an puck line record of 4-1 while averaging 3 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
• In their last three home games, Columbus has averaged 2 goals per game while allowing 2. The team’s record in this stretch was 1-2 while going 3-0.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Blue Jackets have a straight up record of 0-3 and an puck line mark of 2-1.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Sharks have a straight up record of 3-7. But, their mark vs the puck line was just 3-7.

Sharks vs Blue Jackets Prediction

If you’re looking for a moneyline bet in this one, we have the Blue Jackets coming out on top. However, with the lines sitting at -204, I’d recommend looking to the puck line as our projections have the Blue Jackets winning by more than one goal.

When it comes to a puck line pick, our choice is the Blue Jackets to secure the win and cover. Expect the Blue Jackets to dominate this one with a multi-goal win over the Sharks.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to remain below that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the under.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.