Sharks vs Predators Odds and Picks for NHL Season Opener in Prague (Oct 7)

• The San Jose Sharks face the Nashville Predators on Friday, October 7th in the NHL Season Opener
• The Sharks will play the Predators at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic
• Read below for the Sharks vs Predators odds, predictions and best bet

The NHL regular season begins on Friday, October 7th with the Sharks taking on the Predators in the Czech Republic capital of Prague as the NHL returns to Europe for the first time since 2019.

The puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 pm ET with the NHL Network and Bally Sports South carrying the broadcast. The Predators are comfortable -180 moneyline favorites in the Friday NHL odds for this matchup. The Sharks have failed to make the playoffs for three straight seasons.

Let’s take a look at the rest of the Sharks vs Predators odds and analyze the best possible bets for this game before we offer you our NHL best pick and prediction.

Sharks vs Predators Odds

Odds as of October 6th at Barstool Sportsbook.

San Jose had one of the worst offenses in the league last year coming in at 30th after scoring just 2.57 goals per game. The over/under total for this game sits at six goals while the Preds have an implied win probability of 64.29% as -180 moneyline favorites.

Predators Comfortable Favorites in Friday NHL Odds

After an off-season where they locked up some key players and further strengthened an already stellar blueline, oddsmakers have indicated that the Predators should have an easy time with the Sharks in the season opener.

Ryan McDonagh joins a defense corps with a couple of steadily improving youngsters as well as perennial Norris Trophy odds contender Roman Josi.

In addition, with Juuse Saros in net, they have a great last line of defense. Amongst goalies who played at least 50 games last year, Saros was top 10 in goals against as well as save percentage. The Finnish netminder looks to be fully recovered after missing the playoffs due to an ankle injury last year.

Juuse Saros will get the start in tonight’s home preseason finale

This is the first start for Saros since his injury on April 26 pic.twitter.com/K8bqhVysWA

— Zach Gilchriest (@ZachGilchriest) September 30, 2022

The offense should be paced again by Filip Forsberg who signed a monster eight-year deal to remain with Nashville in the summer. Tanner Jeannot, who was a surprise challenger in the Calder Trophy odds last year, will also be counted on to produce even more than the 24 goals he delivered last season.

Sharks Underdogs in NHL Odds

New general manager Mike Grier made one of his first big moves in the off-season by dealing away long-time blueliner Brent Burns to the Hurricanes to create some cap space. The Sharks really didn’t do much to improve their squad in the summer as they seem to be stuck in the same spot.

Sharks-Hurricanes trade:

Brent Burns and Lane Pederson for Steven Lorentz, goalie prospect Eetu Makiniemi and a conditional 2023 3rd-round pick. Sharks are retaining 33 percent of Burns contract. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 13, 2022

They go into this Western Conference tilt with the Predators as +145 underdogs in the Friday NHL odds. Beyond Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl, who combined for 65 goals last year, they really have limited players they can count on to score up front.

Sharks vs Predators Same-Game Parlay Picks

If you’re looking to parlay a couple bets in this game, pick the low-scoring Sharks to go under the three-goal total in conjunction with the Preds on the moneyline. A $100 bet will give you a return of $274.56.

Sharks vs Predators Pick & Prediction 

While the Predators seem to have strengthened their roster, the Sharks look like they might’ve taken a small step back. Recent history between these two squads suggests that Nashville won’t have much of a problem winning the opener on Friday and probably completing the two-game sweep on Saturday.

Sharks vs Predators Recent Results

On top of winning six of the last seven meetings, Nashville has defeated the Sharks by two or more goals in five of those games. While early season games can be a bit unpredictable, it’s hard to see a lot going right for the Sharks with their current roster.

Hopes are high before a new #Preds season #NHLGlobalSeries pic.twitter.com/qIw2npiiLq

— Gentry Estes (@Gentry_Estes) October 6, 2022

The favorites are 19-7 the last 26 games between these two squads. It might be worth taking a flyer and making a prop bet on Tomas Hertl to score in his hometown of Prague, but other than that, expect the Predators to take this game in a romp.

Our best bet prediction is to take the Predators on the puck line in the Friday NHL odds.

Pick: Predators Puck Line -1.5 (+138)