Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions here at Last Word On Hockey, where we provide analysis, insights, and predictions for upcoming NHL games. Tonight, the St. Louis Blues play their third game of a four-game road trip, making a stop in sunny San Jose, California.

NHL Predictions: St. Louis Blues vs San Jose Sharks

Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

How to Watch TV: FDSNMW, NBCSCA

2024-2025 Season Series: 2-1-0
2025-2026 Season Series: 0-0-0
Location: SAP Center in San Jose, California

With only a quarter of the season remaining, the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks have yet to face each other. Moreover, they will play three times just in the month of March. By the time the puck drops tonight, all trade whirlwinds will have ended and the sprint to the end of the season will be in full swing.

The Blues have been in the trade news since November. Since returning from break, they have lost Robby Fabbri and Mathieu Joseph. Both of these players were placed on waivers, meaning St. Louis got absolutely nothing in return. Larger blockbuster deals have also fallen through.

Earlier this week, the Sharks made some news with the signing of Kiefer Sherwood to a five-year extension. At the time of writing, the Sharks have yet to make a big splash in the trade department. There is still time, but the market will start to run thin. Perhaps general manager Mike Grier is content with letting the season play out. If they make the playoffs; fantastic. That means bonus experience for Macklin Celebrini and the others. If not, the playoffs are goal number one entering next season.

What’s Next For St. Louis?

The only deadline remaining for the Blues to look forward to is the final game of the regular season. Names like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou were floated in rumours all year. Thomas was almost sent to Buffalo earlier this week, but the Sabres were unwilling to part with what St. Louis wants in return. Defenceman Colton Parayko, however, was much closer to being a Sabre. Instead, he used his no-movement clause to veto the trade and stay put in St. Louis, at least for now. 

Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Blues will again set their eyes on Buffalo. This time, the Blues will not be looking for a trade (though still a possibility)! Instead, they will be gearing up for a top-ten draft pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. If the season ended today, their odds have them picking 3rd overall. Notable top five picks in St. Louis’ history include the likes of Stanley Cup Champions Erik Johnson (first overall, 2006), and Alex Pietrangelo (fourth overall, 2008).

The Blues are coming off of an impressive 3-2 win Wednesday night in Seattle. Future starting goaltender Joel Hofer stole the show, stopping 34 of 36 Kraken shots. Thomas stayed hot after returning from his personal leave in Minnesota as well. He added another goal and assist, giving him four points in those two games.

Circling Sharks

With the Seattle Kraken loss on Wednesday, the Sharks are sitting just three points out of a playoff position. San Jose is tied for fewest games played so far this season. Entering tonight, they still have 23 games to earn precious points in the standings. Unfortunately, San Jose only plays four of their remaining games within the Pacific Division. Points will have to come from elsewhere if they are to jump the teams in front of them. 

The Sharks have not struggled on the offensive side of the puck since returning from the Olympic break. In their last three games they have totaled 14 goals while earning all six possible points. Celebrini and Will Smith led the charge for San Jose against Montreal on Tuesday night. The two combined for two goals and five assists .

The Sharks were up on Montreal 5-2. A massive collapse nearly doomed San Jose after it became tied 5-5. With less than five minutes remaining, Sherwood was able to get the puck past Jakub Dobes. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky liked his team’s offence, but will be looking to keep the puck out of their own net tonight.

NHL Prediction:

St. Louis has been playing some pretty good hockey of late. With the deadline just a few hours before this game starts, it’s hard to say who will and won’t be in uniform. The Sharks will be fielding a similar lineup that has worked for them. With Celebrini still riding the momentum of his Olympic performance, a struggling St. Louis team should not be a problem for the hungry Sharks. 

Prediction: Sharks win 5-2.

Prop Bets:

The over/under for this game is at 6.5 goals. With a predicted seven goals scored, we are taking the over at +110. Offence for the Blues has largely come from the stick of Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway, but we like future core piece Jake Neighbours to grab a goal at +320. Canadian Olympian Macklin Celebrini is likely to grab a goal for the Sharks as well, coming in at +135.  

Main Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

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