Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks return home to the SAP Center on Saturday night hoping to rebound after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Their opponent, the Anaheim Ducks, are also searching for their first win of the season after a 3–1 defeat to the Seattle Kraken in Joel Quenneville’s coaching debut.
The Sharks (0-1-1) collapsed late in their opener, missing two empty-net chances before surrendering a long-range equalizer and an overtime winner. Meanwhile, Anaheim (0-1) showed flashes of promise, outshooting Seattle 36–31 but converting just once — a goal by rookie Beckett Sennecke, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft, who scored in his NHL debut.
Oddsmakers opened Anaheim as slight -119 favorites, with San Jose at -101 and the total set at 6.0 goals. Both rebuilding teams will be eager to establish early-season momentum in what’s expected to be an even, high-paced matchup.
Looking for expert NHL betting edges? Track the sharpest hockey handicappers here →
Line Movement and Odds
The line has been steady all day with minimal movement. The Ducks opened -115 and nudged to -119, with 53% of bets backing Anaheim. The total of 6.0 has drawn slightly more action on the Over (-113), given the defensive lapses both teams showed in their openers.
Anaheim’s top-six forwards generated plenty of zone time against Seattle, while San Jose’s transition game under new coach Ryan Warsofsky showed early promise. Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, however, will be under scrutiny after his late-game gaffe against Vegas.
“Got to find a way to move on somehow,” Nedeljkovic said. “We battled hard. We’ll get back at it and tighten up the details.”


Matchup Breakdown
Anaheim Ducks Outlook:
Despite the opening loss, Anaheim showed structure and energy in Quenneville’s debut. Rookie Sennecke’s goal was the lone tally, but the Ducks created multiple scoring chances and controlled stretches of play. Mason McTavish and Troy Terry remain key scoring threats, while Quenneville praised the team’s forecheck and physicality — 24 hits and seven blocks in Seattle. Injuries to Ryan Strome and Jansen Harkins shorten the lineup, but Anaheim’s youthful speed could exploit San Jose’s slower defense.
“There were a lot of positives,” Quenneville said. “We’ll tweak things and get better for next game.”
San Jose Sharks Outlook:
The Sharks’ new-look roster played with pace in Vegas and arguably deserved a better result. Jeff Skinner and Philipp Kurashev both found the net, while San Jose’s forechecking pressure forced multiple turnovers. Defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Dmitry Orlov logged heavy minutes, and Warsofsky’s system emphasized puck movement through the neutral zone. If Nedeljkovic rebounds in goal and the offense finishes chances, the Sharks could take advantage of Anaheim’s depleted lineup at home.
“We were skating, playing with good structure,” Warsofsky said. “We’ve got to clean up a few things, but I liked our game.”
Injuries and Conditions
Anaheim Ducks | San Jose Sharks |
---|---|
Ryan Strome – Out (Upper Body) | Alexander Barabanov – Out (Lower Body) |
Jansen Harkins – Out (Wrist) | Jan Rutta – Probable (Maintenance) |
Leo Carlsson – Probable (Rest) | Filip Zadina – Probable (Knee) |
— | G Kaapo Kahkonen – Out (Undisclosed) |
Ducks Injury Report | Sharks Injury Report |
Weather: Mild night in San Jose, indoor conditions at SAP Center.




Best Bets and Prediction
Both teams showed energy and offensive potential in their openers, but Anaheim’s roster depth and veteran experience under Quenneville provide a slight edge. Expect both goalies to face volume — and the Over to be in play again with shaky defensive execution on both sides.
Pick: Ducks ML (-119)
Projected Final Score: Ducks 4, Sharks 3
Best Bet: Over 6.0 (-113)
Lean: Ducks ML (-119)
Get more NHL Betting Analysis, Game Forecasts, and Daily Hockey Picks at the ScoresAndStats NHL Previews page.
West Coast Hockey, Late-Night Action
West Coast matchups offer great late betting value — especially on totals and player props. Find more expert breakdowns here →
Category | Detail |
---|---|
Best Bet | Over 6.0 (-113) |
Confidence Rating | ★★★☆☆ |
Projected Score | Ducks 4, Sharks 3 |
Total Lean | Over 6.0 (-113) |
Market Split | 53% bets Ducks, 57% sharp money Over |
ScoresAndStats Handicappers and Picks
The ScoresAndStats Handicappers Leaderboard is your go-to hub for NHL betting trends, expert win rates, and transparent ROI tracking. Each verified handicapper’s performance is updated daily — perfect for following who’s hot early in the season.
Sharp bettors know the first two weeks of the NHL season often provide inflated lines and public overreactions. The pros on ScoresAndStats exploit those inefficiencies by analyzing expected goals (xG) data, early goaltending metrics, and line combinations to uncover value on sides and totals. You’ll also find premium daily selections in the Service Plays section, where top hockey analysts post their picks before puck drop.
Whether you’re targeting late-night West Coast overs or tracking road-favorite regression, ScoresAndStats offers the analytics and verified expert insight you need to skate ahead of the market.
Bet informed. Win responsibly. Profit consistently.