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San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks open their 2025-26 season at home Thursday night, hosting the Vegas Golden Knights at the SAP Center. For San Jose, the challenge couldn’t be tougher — the franchise has never won a regulation home game against Vegas. The Golden Knights are 14-0-3 all-time in San Jose and come in as the defending Pacific Division champions, while the Sharks look to kick off a new era under head coach Ryan Warsofsky and 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini.
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Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET on ESPN+, with Vegas priced at -187 on the moneyline and San Jose at +157. The total sits at 6.0 goals (Over -110 / Under -112).
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Line Movement and Odds
Vegas opened around -180 and has been bet up slightly to -187, signaling steady confidence in the defending division champs. Despite playing the second leg of a back-to-back, the Knights have drawn roughly 70% of handle from bettors. The total opened at 6.0 and has seen light action on the under, given both teams’ goaltending depth and Vegas’ tendency to tighten up on the road.
“We want to be relentless,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said this week. “When we don’t have the puck, we’re going to be relentless to get it back. You have to learn how not to lose before you learn how to win.”
Matchup Breakdown
Vegas Golden Knights Outlook
The Golden Knights are looking to rebound after a wild 6-5 shootout loss to Los Angeles on Wednesday. Pavel Dorofeyev recorded a hat trick, while Jack Eichel added a goal and three assists on the same day he signed an eight-year, $108 million extension. New addition Mitch Marner posted two assists in his debut, showing instant chemistry with Vegas’ top line.
Vegas’ depth remains its greatest weapon. Between Eichel, Marner, Mark Stone, and Jonathan Marchessault, Bruce Cassidy’s squad can overwhelm opponents with speed and precision. Defensively, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo remain elite puck movers, while Adin Hill — expected to start Thursday — is coming off a 32-win season with a .915 save percentage.
San Jose Sharks Outlook
The Sharks enter with a youthful core and renewed optimism. Rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini, last year’s Calder Trophy finalist, leads a promising group that includes William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli. Celebrini posted 63 points as a teenager last season, and his two-way skillset is expected to drive the team’s rebuild.
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will likely start after finishing last season with 942 saves. San Jose struggled at home in 2024-25 (12-27-2), but Warsofsky has emphasized pace and pressure in hopes of generating early momentum. Veteran leadership from Toffoli and Mario Ferraro will be key if the Sharks hope to end their home losing streak against Vegas.
Injuries and Conditions
| San Jose Sharks | Vegas Golden Knights |
|---|---|
| F Alexander Barabanov – Day-to-day (lower body) | F Chandler Stephenson – Out (upper body) |
| D Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Questionable (conditioning) | G Logan Thompson – Day-to-day (rest) |
| G Alex Nedeljkovic – Expected starter | G Adin Hill – Expected starter |
| F Fabian Zetterlund – Probable (illness) | D Alec Martinez – Out (hand) |
| San Jose Sharks Injury Report | Vegas Golden Knights Injury Report |
Weather: Indoors at SAP Center — no weather impact.
Best Bets and Prediction
Even with the back-to-back factor, Vegas holds a clear edge in both experience and scoring depth. The Sharks’ young roster should play with energy early, but it’s hard to overlook the Knights’ historical dominance in San Jose. Expect Vegas to control possession and convert on special teams.
Pick: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (-187)
Projected Final Score: Vegas 4, San Jose 2
Lean: Under 6.0 (-112)
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| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Bet | Vegas Golden Knights ML (-187) |
| Confidence Rating | ★★★★☆ |
| Projected Score | Vegas 4, San Jose 2 |
| Total Lean | Under 6.0 (-112) |
| Market Split | 70% money Vegas, 55% bets Under |
ScoresAndStats Handicappers and Picks
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