Nashville Predators vs. San Jose Sharks: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 10/8/2022

Time: 2 p.m. ET

Venue: O2 Arena, Czech Republic

Where to watch: Bally Sports Ohio, NHL Network, NBC Sports California

DraftKings: Predators -180, Sharks +155

FanDuel: Predators -182, Sharks +150

BetMGM: Predators -175, Sharks +145

Caesars: Predators -190, Sharks +158

Sharks: 0-1-0

Predators: 1-0-0

I’d be led to believe that the Nashville Predators’ big-time players would’ve led them to a victory in the first game of the new NHL season over the San Jose Sharks. Alas, it was the new guys that were able to do some good things and get the Predators to a 4-1 win over the Sharks in Prague. Now, do it all over again in Game 2 on Saturday and see what happens.

 

Kiefer Sherwood had a goal and an assist in his first game, and Ryan McDonagh had an assist in his Nashville debut in what was a dominant effort by Nashville. Juuse Saros made 30 saves against a team that will have a tough time scoring this year, but at least the Sharks got one. That’s all that should be accounted for.

 

"I thought all the new guys to our team obviously contributed," Predators coach John Hynes said. "A lot of them contributed on the scoreboard, but I thought also just the style of game they played really fits the identity, so it's nice. It's nice for those guys to get off to a good start."

 

The Predators’ addition of McDonagh adds another star blue liner to this already stacked roster. There’s, of course, Roman Josi after a near-record season. But McDonagh was paired with Mattias Ekholm for this game, and if you’re looking for any scarier duo to face as your second pair, it might be this unit. Good luck trying to get around Ekholm while trying to stop McDonagh in the offensive zone.

 

"It was great," Ekholm said of the atmosphere. "Sold out. I mean, it was awesome, and that was Friday night. I can't wait for Saturday night."

 

It was a big day for Czech native Tomas Hertl, who tied the game at 1-1 after Sherwood struck with his goal. Tremendous moment for the countryman, which of course will mean more than an insignificant game because the Sharks might be at the bottom of the standings.

 

"It was a pretty special moment, obviously," said David Quinn, who coached his first game for the Sharks. "He's been thinking about that for a long time. Obviously happy for him, and the team, I thought, got a little bit inspired by that. I thought they played better after that. Unfortunately, we only got one."

 

David Quinn acts so surprised that a team coached by him could only get one goal. Get ready, Sharks fans. You’re in for a long run. James Reimer made 28 saves in the loss, but the better goaltender might be going on Saturday anyway. Kaapo Kahkonen will get the start for San Jose, while the Predators are left scrambling for answers because they can’t clone Saros. Instead, it will be Kevin Lankinen and may the hockey gods ever be in their favor. Seriously, this may come down to goaltender. Please plan sacrifices accordingly.

 

"I think we've got to put this one behind us," Hynes said. "Tomorrow's a new game. Tonight doesn't have an impact really on tomorrow. We have to make sure that we get rest. We've got to get our mindset right and approach tomorrow [focused on] some of the things we can do better.

 

"We found a way to win the game, but we weren't perfect in the game, either. You're not trying to chase the perfect game, but I think our objective, very similar to what we talked to the players about all training camp, [is] 'How can we be better tomorrow?' And that's what our objective is going to be."

 

 

Lankinen was horrendous in Chicago last year, to no one’s surprise. We’ve yet to see how he does with a better team in front of him. To start the year, I’m not taking too much stock into it. San Jose rebounds for a good win. Sharks win 4-3

Sharks are 53-84 against the spread over the past three seasons.

Sharks are 1-9 in their last nine against Central Division teams.

The over is 8-2 in the Predators' last nine games.

Sharks:

Timo Meier -- Tomas Hertl -- Luke Kunin

Oskar Lindblom -- Logan Couture -- Kevin Labanc

Noah Gregor -- Nick Bonino -- Matt Nieto

Steven Lorentz -- Nico Sturm -- Jonah Gadjovich

Scott Harrington -- Erik Karlsson

Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Mario Ferraro

Radim Simek -- Matt Benning

Kaapo Kahkonen

Predators:

Filip Forsberg -- Mikael Granlund -- Matt Duchene

Nino Niederreiter -- Ryan Johansen -- Kiefer Sherwood

Yakov Trenin -- Colton Sissons -- Tanner Jeannot

Cole Smith -- Cody Glass -- Eeli Tolvanen

Roman Josi -- Alexandre Carrier

Ryan McDonagh -- Mattias Ekholm

Jeremy Lauzon -- Dante Fabbro

Kevin Lankinen

Points: Three tied -- 1

Goals: Tomas Hertl -- 1

Assists: Two tied -- 1

Goalie: James Reimer -- 0-1-0, 3.07 GAA, .903 SV%

Points: Kiefer Sherwood -- 2

Goals: Four tied -- 1

Assists: Eight tied -- 1

Goalie: Juuse Saros -- 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .968 SV%