Tonight's California hockey matchup features a Pacific Divisional rivalry as the Anaheim Ducks play host to the San Jose Sharks who are both on the wrong side of the playoffs as of now. The Ducks open up a six-game homestand tonight as they face the Sharks for the first time this season. It’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Sharks-Ducks prediction and pick.

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Here are the Sharks-Ducks NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel

NHL Odds: Sharks-Ducks Odds

San Jose Sharks: +1.5 (-194) (+126 ML)

Anaheim Ducks: -1.5 (+156) (-152 ML)

Over: 6 (-102)

Under: 6 (-120)

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Why The Sharks Can Cover The Spread/Win

San Jose's playoffs hopes are quickly diminishing as they started the season off so well and have taken a dive ever since. With just 49 points the Sharks sit in 7th place in the Pacific division, and 10 points out of the second wild-card spot. In fact, they've only been able to pick up one point since returning from the All-Star break. The Sharks are 2-5-3 in their last 10 games and are starting to become sellers for the trade deadline the more that they lose. However, San Jose's penalty-killing is ranked 4th in the league with an 84.9% success rate.

Goaltender James Reimer has been an absolute workhorse as he's started the last seven games due to backup Adin Hill being sidelined with a lower-body injury. Within those seven games, Reimer is 1-3-3 and could possibly be looking at yet another start tonight as they look to steal the ever so elusive two points from the Ducks tonight.

Why The Ducks Can Cover The Spread/Win

The Anaheim Ducks are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. They're 5th in the Pacific Division with 57 points and are just two points away from tying the Los Angeles Kings for that second wild-card spot. After giving up three consecutive games after the All-Star break, the Ducks finally pulled away with a 7-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. They look to keep the win streak alive tonight as they start their homestand with a win tonight. Anaheim is a middle-of-the-pack team with solid goaltending in All-Star John Gibson. He's started 10 of the Ducks' last 11 games and while he's typically very reliable, his recent numbers haven't been great, dropping him down to allowing 2.77 goals against and a .913 save percentage on the year. Regardless, look for him to get yet another starting nod tonight.

Final Sharks-Ducks Prediction & Pick

While one win for the Ducks doesn't necessarily mean that things are looking up, they're at least on the right track coming into a game against a Sharks team that's struggling very badly defensively. I think the Ducks will put up points once again tonight as all four of their last games have had a total of seven or more goals. The over right now is listed at an even six goals, but if you move the line and look for the Alternate Total Goals column in FanDuel, you can find a juicy Over 5.5 at decent odds (-128). This is my lock of the day, especially when both teams have goal-scoring capabilities with the combination of goaltending troubles.

Final Sharks-Ducks Prediction & Pick: Alternate Total #1: Over 5.5 (-128)