San Jose vs Carolina Prediction: the Hurricanes to Deal with the Western Outsider

Prediction for the NHL San Jose Sharks vs Carolina Hurricanes match, which will take place on October 15. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

San Jose is an NHL outsider of all years and hasn't been in a cup battle in a long time. It seemed like the Sharks started to make progress during the last regular season, getting closer to the playoffs, but they had a much weaker second half of the season, which is why they did not make it into the top 8 of the Western Conference. In the offseason they tried to bolster their roster and then played well in the test games, winning five out of six. Alas, once the official games began, the results fell apart as the Californians lost twice in a row to Nashville in Prague - 1:4 and 2:3.

In recent years, Carolina has progressed rapidly, transforming from an NHL underdog to a real contender for the Stanley Cup. Already last season, the Hurricanes were expected to fight for the trophy. They even managed to get past Boston in the playoffs - 4:3, but then allowed the offensive loss to the Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals - 3:4. In the offseason, the Red and Black strengthened their roster with experienced players, including Brent Burns, Paul Stastny, and Max Pacioretty. Rod Brind'Amour's team started the new regular season with a convincing 4:1 win over Columbus.

For Carolina, the away meetings against San Jose have not boded well for a long time, as they have lost at the SAP Center in the last six consecutive head-to-head meetings. The upcoming game is the best opportunity for them to end such a nasty streak, as now the Hurricanes are in good shape. But the Sharks were not impressive in the battles with Nashville in Prague, remaining without points. 

San Jose already had severe problems with the defense last season, so 82 games conceded 264 pucks (3.22 average), which is a mediocre figure. In the two starting battles of the current season, the Sharks allowed Nashville to shoot seven times. Carolina's offense, meanwhile, has been stellar, as evidenced by their 278 goals in 82 meetings (3.39 average). 

Brent Burns moved to Carolina from San Jose in the offseason, never having won with the Sharks. Despite his advanced age, the Canadian was a solid performer last season with 54 points (10 goals + 44 assists) over 82 games - good for a defenseman representing an NHL outsider. He immediately earned a spot on the first defensive line with the Hurricanes. Now he'll have to play against his former club, which is a great reason to score his first point for the Red and Blacks.

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