The San Jose Sharks look for their first win of the year as they face the Florida Panthers. It is time to continue our NHL odds series with a Sharks-Panthers prediction, pick, and how-to-watch.

The Sharks enter the game at 0-5 on the year. They have had a lot of trouble scoring this year. Only once this year have they scored more than one goal? The Sharks have scored only one goal in four of five games this season. In the other game, the Sharks scored three goals against the Hurricanes. Still, they allowed six goals in that game and would lose 6-3.

Meanwhile, the Panthers are just 2-3 on the season. They started the season 0-2, with losses to the Wild and the Jets on the road. The Panthers would rebound though, taking out the Devils and Maple Leafs. Last time out, they faced the Canucks. The Canucks scored first, but the Panthers would respond 20 seconds later. Still, the Canucks scored twice in the second period. The Panthers tied it up in the third with two Sam Reinhart goals but the Canucks would score two more to win 5-3.

Here are the NHL Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NHL Odds: Sharks vs. Panthers Odds

San Jose Sharks: +1.5 (-114)

Florida Panthers: -1.5 (-105)

Over: 6.5 (-130)

Under: 6.5 (+106)

How to Watch Sharks vs. Panthers

Time: 7:45 PM ET/ 4:45 PM PT

TV: NHLPP/ESPN+

Stream: FuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Sharks Will Cover The Spread

The Sharks have had a lot of trouble scoring this year. Filip Zadina leads the team in goals this year with two of them. He is a fourth-line forward though and the top line has not been as good. Tomas Hertl is the top scorer points-wise on the team and leads the first line. He has a goal and four assists this season. Anthony Duclair joins him on the top line as well, and he has a goal this year, but that is his only point of the season. Finally, Alexander Barabanov is also on that top line, but he has no points this year, and just six shots.

The major issue for the Sharks has been getting shots on goal. They have had 27 or fewer shots in four of five games this year, including one game with just 16 shots on goal. The Sharks have also struggled on defense. They have allowed 32 shots on goal or more in every game this year. That includes a game with 42 shots on goal and another game with 52 shots on goal.

Further, the Sharks have struggled on the power play. They have scored just two goals this year on the power play. The Sharks have also given up a lot of chances for the opponent's power play. They have given up 19 chances on the power play so far this season. The Sharks have also given up five goals on the man-down this year.

Mackenzie Blackwood will be in the net for the Sharks in this game. He is 0-2-1 on the season with a 3.89 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. He was solid in his first start of the year, giving up just one goal on 52 shots against the Avalanche. Still, he would lose in a shootout. The next two games were a struggle. Against the Hurricanes he gave up six goals on 42 shots, and then he would give up five goals on 34 shots the next time out, losing both games.

Why The Panthers Will Cover The Spread

The tip line for the Panthers has been great this year, starting with Sam Reinhart. He has scored six goals this year with two assists. Two of the goals have come on the power play, while he also has one short-handed. Evan Rodrigues has two goals this year with five assists. Finally, Aleksander Barkov has five assists this year with one goal on the season.

Meanwhile, the second line has been solid this year for the Panthers. Matthew Tkachuk has four assists on the season but has yet to score. He has taken 21 shots to be tied for the team lead. Carter Verhaeghe has two goals this year on the second line as well.

The Panthers have been solid shooting the puck this year. They have shot over 30 times this year in four of five games. The big issue for the offense has been on the power play. They have scored just two power-play goals this year while having 20 chances on the season. Further, the Panthers have not been great on defense. They have given up 30 or more shots in four of five games. Further, they have given up a power-play goal in every game so far this year. The Panthers have given up eight power-play goals on 23 chances this season.

Anthony Stolarz is getting the start in net for the first time this year. He was 5-6 last season with a 3.73 goals-against average while also having a .899 save percentage. Stolarz has not made a start since February of last year, but he was solid in that one. He gave up just two goals on 29 shots. Solarz has been solid in spot starts in the past, but he is not a regular starting-level goaltender for the Panthers.

Final Sharks-Panthers Prediction & Pick

The Sharks are 26th in the NHL in scoring this year, while sitting 31st in goals against this year. Florida has also had a lot of trouble keeping the puck out of the back of the net this season. They will be missing Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekbald in this one as well. Still, there is no reason to believe the Sharks can put up enough shots, or score enough to keep this close.

Final Sharks-Panthers Prediction & Pick: Florida Panthers -1.5 (-105)