The NHL returns with a ten-game slate on Tuesday, March 7, including this conference duel in Denver, so feel free to read the best Sharks vs. Avalanche betting pick and odds.

Colorado is hoping to avoid the fourth straight loss when they welcome San Jose at Ball Arena. The Avalanche are -287 moneyline favorites on BetDSI Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6 goals. These conference rivals will meet for the first time this year.

Sharks suffered a catastrophe against the Capitals

The San Jose Sharks (18-33-6-6, 31-32 ATS) ended a three-game losing run with a victory over the Seattle Kraken, but that happiness didn’t last long as they are currently on a five-game losing streak. The Sharks allowed a season-high eight goals in the latest 8-3 home loss to the Washington Capitals. San Jose has just a point ahead of the last-placed Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference.

The Sharks entered the game well and created a 2-0 lead in the first period against the Caps, but the visitors scored five consecutive goals and that was overwhelming for San Jose. Although the Sharks had more shots than Washington (41-30), that didn’t help them here. Erik Karlsson is San Jose’s top point producer this season with 80 (G 19, A 61). Logan Couture contributes 51 (G 21, A 30) and Tomas Hertl has 49 points (G 16, A 33).

Kaapo Kahkonen (8-14-5) is probable to start at the goal against Colorado on Tuesday as James Reimer is a confirmed goalie against Winnipeg on Monday. The 26-year-old is conceding 3.68 goals per game this year with a .882 SV% and one shutout.

D Markus Nutivaara (lower body), LW Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), and C Luke Kunin (ACL) are out indefinitely. D Radim Simek (undisclosed) is questionable to feature on Tuesday against Colorado.

Avalanche are struggling defensively

The Colorado Avalanche (34-21-3-3, 31-30 ATS) went through their best period of the season as they recorded six consecutive victories, but returned to losing ways with three straight losses. The Avalanche allowed seven goals in defeats to the New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars and then opened a four-game home stand with a 3-2 overtime loss against the Seattle Kraken. Colorado now dropped to 7th place in the Western Conference with 74 points, eight behind the leaders Vegas Golden Knights.

The Avs had a 1-0 and 2-1 lead against Seattle thanks to goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Denis Malgin, but the visitors forced overtime with 2:30 remaining on the game clock and then secured two points in OT. When it comes to points this season, MacKinnon leads Colorado with 74 (G 25, A 49) and Mikko Rantanen is right behind with 72 points (G 41, A 31).

Alexandar Georgiev (26-13-5) is slated to start at the goal against San Jose on Tuesday. The 27-year-old is allowing 2.66 goals per contest this season along with a .919 SV% and three shutouts.

LW Darren Helm (lower body), D Erik Johnson (ankle), LW Gabriel Landeskog (lower body), and G Pavel Francouz (lower body) are out indefinitely.

Trends:

San Jose:

  • 6-21 in the last 27 games following a loss of three or more goals
  • 1-5 in the last six after allowing five goals or more in their previous game
  • 1-11 in the last 12 games following a home loss of three or more goals

Colorado:

  • 7-3 in the last ten games playing on one day of rest
  • 36-16 in the last 52 vs. Pacific Division rivals

San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche Pick

The Sharks will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set after meeting the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. The Avs have enough time to prepare for this tilt and figure out how to get a victory. After all, the reigning champions must win this type of game against much weaker opposition if they want to be in the playoffs this year. Colorado is not way better offensively; the Avalanche are averaging 3.13 goals per game opposite San Jose’s 2.94 goals per contest. They do have a stronger defense that allows 2.80 gpg opposite the Sharks’ 3.71 gpg.

Pick: Take the Avalanche at -1.5 Puck Line (-120)

The Total

I mentioned earlier that the Avs are struggling defensively; they did concede 17 goals in the last three goals, which is not good for the defending champions. Still, I don’t think they will allow more than two against San Jose, but I am backing the hosts to score at least four or five against Kaapo Kahkonen and the third-worst defense in the NHL. Over is 21-10-2 in the last 33 H2H meetings; Over is 4-0 in the Sharks’ previous four vs. Central Division rivals, while Over is 4-0 in San Jose’s last four in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 days situation.

Pick: Go Over 6 goals (-110)