by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Mar 31, 2023
Time: 10 p.m. TE
Venue: Mullett Arena, Tempe, AZ
Where to watch: BSAZX, NBCSCA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Check back later for odds
BetMGM: Check back later for odds
Caesars: Check back later for odds
Season record
Sharks: 21-39-15
Coyotes: 27-35-13
The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!
Sharks - Coyotes preview, prediction and analysis
The San Jose Sharks will take on the Arizona Coyotes on April 1, 2023, in what is expected to be a highly competitive game. Both teams have had up-and-down seasons, and with the end of the regular season drawing near, every point counts as teams jostle for playoff positions. In this preview, we will take a closer look at the Sharks and Coyotes' respective performances so far this season and what we can expect from this matchup.
The San Jose Sharks are currently in a battle for landing Connor Bedard in the draft lottery but they keep winning after victories over Vegas and Winnipeg in recent days. The Sharks have been playing some decent hockey lately, winning four of their last five games, but consistency has been an issue for them all season. Despite the efforts of top scorer Logan Couture and defenseman Erik Karlsson, the Sharks have struggled to find the back of the net regularly, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals scored. This lack of offensive production has put a significant strain on their defense and goaltending, which have been solid but not enough to carry the team to success.
On the other hand, the Arizona Coyotes are currently in a rebuilding phase, with a focus on developing their young talent for the future. This season has been a tough one for the Coyotes, who sit in seventh place in the Pacific Division with little hope of making the playoffs. However, they have shown some flashes of potential, particularly on the defensive end. Led by Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller, the Coyotes' defense has been among the league's best, allowing just 2.5 goals per game. However, the Coyotes have struggled to score goals themselves, with their offensive production ranking near the bottom of the league. As a result, they have been forced to rely heavily on their goaltending, which has been inconsistent at times.
Looking ahead to this matchup, both teams will be looking to come away with a victory for different reasons. The Sharks need every point they can get to secure their spot in the playoffs, while the Coyotes will be looking to build momentum and finish the season strong. The key to this game will likely be which team can execute their game plan better on both ends of the ice.
For the Sharks, this means finding a way to score goals against the Coyotes' stingy defense. They will need to generate more quality scoring chances and capitalize on their opportunities when they arise. Players like Couture, Karlsson, and Tomas Hertl will need to step up and lead the way offensively, while goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen will need to continue his solid play to keep the Coyotes' offense in check.
For the Coyotes, their focus will be on continuing to play strong defense and limiting the Sharks' scoring chances. Players like Keller and Schmaltz will need to step up and provide some much-needed offensive production, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper will need to continue his strong play in net.
One area where the Sharks may have an advantage is special teams. Their power play has been one of the league's best this season, converting on over 20% of their opportunities. Meanwhile, the Coyotes' penalty kill has been a weakness, ranking near the bottom of the league. If the Sharks can take advantage of their power-play opportunities, it could swing the game in their favor.
Overall, this game has the potential to be a closely contested battle between two teams with different objectives.
Prediction
The Sharks aren't at home anymore. They will lose. Praise be. Coyotes 6. Sharks 2
The San Jose Sharks are currently in a battle for landing Connor Bedard in the draft lottery but they keep winning after victories over Vegas and Winnipeg in recent days. The Sharks have been playing some decent hockey lately, winning four of their last five games, but consistency has been an issue for them all season. Despite the efforts of top scorer Logan Couture and defenseman Erik Karlsson, the Sharks have struggled to find the back of the net regularly, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals scored. This lack of offensive production has put a significant strain on their defense and goaltending, which have been solid but not enough to carry the team to success.
On the other hand, the Arizona Coyotes are currently in a rebuilding phase, with a focus on developing their young talent for the future. This season has been a tough one for the Coyotes, who sit in seventh place in the Pacific Division with little hope of making the playoffs. However, they have shown some flashes of potential, particularly on the defensive end. Led by Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller, the Coyotes' defense has been among the league's best, allowing just 2.5 goals per game. However, the Coyotes have struggled to score goals themselves, with their offensive production ranking near the bottom of the league. As a result, they have been forced to rely heavily on their goaltending, which has been inconsistent at times.
Looking ahead to this matchup, both teams will be looking to come away with a victory for different reasons. The Sharks need every point they can get to secure their spot in the playoffs, while the Coyotes will be looking to build momentum and finish the season strong. The key to this game will likely be which team can execute their game plan better on both ends of the ice.
For the Sharks, this means finding a way to score goals against the Coyotes' stingy defense. They will need to generate more quality scoring chances and capitalize on their opportunities when they arise. Players like Couture, Karlsson, and Tomas Hertl will need to step up and lead the way offensively, while goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen will need to continue his solid play to keep the Coyotes' offense in check.
For the Coyotes, their focus will be on continuing to play strong defense and limiting the Sharks' scoring chances. Players like Keller and Schmaltz will need to step up and provide some much-needed offensive production, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper will need to continue his strong play in net.
One area where the Sharks may have an advantage is special teams. Their power play has been one of the league's best this season, converting on over 20% of their opportunities. Meanwhile, the Coyotes' penalty kill has been a weakness, ranking near the bottom of the league. If the Sharks can take advantage of their power-play opportunities, it could swing the game in their favor.
Overall, this game has the potential to be a closely contested battle between two teams with different objectives.
Prediction
The Sharks aren't at home anymore. They will lose. Praise be. Coyotes 6. Sharks 2
Projected lines
Sharks:
Thomas Bordeleau -- Logan Couture -- Jeffrey Viel
Noah Gregor -- Tomas Hertl -- Kevin Labanc
Jacob Peterson -- Nico Sturm -- Fabian Zetterlund
Oskar Lindblom -- Steven Lorentz -- Martin Kaut
Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Erik Karlsson
Mario Ferraro -- Nikolai Knyzhov
Radim Simek -- Henry Thrun
Kaapo Kahkonen
Thomas Bordeleau -- Logan Couture -- Jeffrey Viel
Noah Gregor -- Tomas Hertl -- Kevin Labanc
Jacob Peterson -- Nico Sturm -- Fabian Zetterlund
Oskar Lindblom -- Steven Lorentz -- Martin Kaut
Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Erik Karlsson
Mario Ferraro -- Nikolai Knyzhov
Radim Simek -- Henry Thrun
Kaapo Kahkonen
Coyotes:
Clayton Keller -- Barrett Hayton -- Nick Schmaltz
Matias Maccelli -- Jack McBain -- Lawson Crouse
Liam O'Brien -- Travis Boyd -- Christian Fischer
Bokondji Imama -- Nathan Smith -- Brett Ritchie
Juuso Valimaki -- Josh Brown
Patrik Nemeth -- J.J. Moser
Connor Mackey -- Victor Soderstrom
Karel Vejmelka
Clayton Keller -- Barrett Hayton -- Nick Schmaltz
Matias Maccelli -- Jack McBain -- Lawson Crouse
Liam O'Brien -- Travis Boyd -- Christian Fischer
Bokondji Imama -- Nathan Smith -- Brett Ritchie
Juuso Valimaki -- Josh Brown
Patrik Nemeth -- J.J. Moser
Connor Mackey -- Victor Soderstrom
Karel Vejmelka
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
