The 2022-23 NHL season kicks off in Prague on Friday afternoon when the San Jose Sharks battle the Nashville Predators. Read on for our Sharks-Predators picks and predictions.
Following a preseason in which they posted a 3-0-1 record, the Predators are looking to earn a third straight trip to the postseason (eighth if you include the qualifying round in 2019-20). Nashville grabbed the final playoff spot in the Western Conference last season, but was unceremoniously bounced in the opening round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Colora do Avalanche.
Boasting a 4-1 record this preseason, the Sharks haven't sniffed the playoffs in three years. The finished the 2021-22 campaign 20 points outside of the final wild-card spot.
The Predators completely dominated the season series in 2021-22, winning all three games while outscoring the hapless Sharks 12-1.