The San Jose Sharks (20-48-11) will face off against the Vancouver Canucks (37-29-14) on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canucks enter this game aiming to secure a clean sweep in their four-game regular-season series against the Sharks. With both teams out of playoff contention, this matchup is largely a matter of pride and finishing the season on a positive note.
Team Overview
The Sharks, currently in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, have endured a season of struggles, ranking last in the NHL. San Jose’s defensive woes have been particularly glaring, having conceded 40 goals in their last eight contests while only scoring 19. Their goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has had a rough season, sporting a 7-18-3 record with a high 4.03 goals-against average (GAA) and a .870 save percentage. Furthermore, the Sharks are dealing with injuries to key defensemen Mario Ferraro and Shakir Mukhamadullin, making an already weak defensive lineup even more vulnerable.
San Jose’s offense has also underperformed, with Tyler Toffoli leading the team with 29 goals and Macklin Celebrini contributing 62 points. Despite having some offensive talent, the Sharks’ 2.6 goals per game average has not sufficed, especially with their porous defense allowing 4.08 goals per game—last in the league.
The Canucks, while also missing the playoffs, have had a comparatively better season. They won three out of their last five games but fell short in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Minnesota Wild in their previous outing. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen has been reliable with a 25-15-10 record, a 2.64 GAA, and a .901 save percentage, and he is expected to start again with Thatcher Demko still recovering from illness.
Offensively, Vancouver is led by Quinn Hughes, who has accumulated 74 points, including 58 assists. Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser have also contributed significantly with 26 and 25 goals, respectively. The Canucks average 2.9 goals per game but have occasional defensive lapses, allowing an average of 3.1 goals per contest.
Matchup Insights
The Canucks have dominated the season series against the Sharks and are clear favorites as indicated by their -310 moneyline odds. Their superior home record and recent form make them well-positioned against a struggling San Jose team that has been abysmal on the road with just eight wins all season. Vancouver’s ability to capitalize on San Jose’s defensive breakdowns is a decisive factor in this game.
On the other side, the Sharks’ hopes hinge on an outperforming offensive effort from players like Toffoli and Celebrini. However, their underwhelming track record against the Canucks and ongoing defensive struggles paint a bleak picture.
Prediction:
Expect the Canucks to leverage their offensive depth and advantages on home ice to secure a comfortable victory. While the Sharks may put up some resistance, their defensive flaws and goalie struggles seem unlikely to contain Vancouver’s attack. The game is also likely to be high-scoring, surpassing the total goal line of 6.0 due to both teams’ defensive inconsistencies. Final score prediction: Canucks 5, Sharks 3.
