Buffalo Sabres vs San Jose Sharks Picks and Predictions for Thursday March 19 2026
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The Buffalo Sabres head west to take on the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, California, with puck drop set for 10:00 PM on ESPN+. Buffalo enters as a -142 favorite while San Jose is +120, and the total is set at 6.5 goals. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more daily selections and expert insight.
Sabres Carry Strong Form into California
Buffalo comes into this matchup with a 42-20-6 record, including a solid 20-11-3 road record. They have been playing well lately, recently winning over Vegas, Toronto, San Jose, and Tampa Bay while recently losing to Washington.
The Sabres are averaging 3.43 goals per game while allowing 2.94 goals against. They generate 28.1 shots per game and allow 29.5, showing a willingness to play at a faster pace. Their power play has produced 42 goals at a 20.5% success rate.
One of Buffalo’s biggest strengths is their penalty kill at 83.2%, along with allowing just 31 power play goals. Combined with 10 short-handed goals, they bring strong special teams play that can swing momentum in tight games.
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Sharks Looking to Defend Home Ice
San Jose enters this contest with a 32-28-6 record and a 17-10-5 home record. Their recent form has been mixed, recently winning over Montreal and Boston while recently losing to Edmonton, Ottawa, and Buffalo.
The Sharks are averaging 3.11 goals per game but allowing 3.53 goals against, which has been a concern. They generate 25.9 shots per game while allowing 30.4, often putting pressure on their defense. Their power play has scored 43 goals at a 19.9% rate.
Defensively, San Jose has struggled at times, including allowing 43 power play goals and posting a 78.8% penalty kill. While they can score, their inability to consistently limit chances makes them vulnerable against high-powered offenses like Buffalo.
Sabres vs Sharks Pick
Sabres vs Sharks Pick
- Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (-142)
Buffalo has been the more consistent team this season and brings a stronger overall profile, especially defensively and on special teams. With better recent form and a previous win over San Jose, the Sabres are in a good position to secure another victory here.
Sabres vs Sharks Total Pick
- Over 6.5
I like the over in this matchup because both teams are capable of scoring, and San Jose’s defensive struggles open the door for Buffalo to put up multiple goals. With the Sharks also able to contribute offensively, this game sets up well for a higher-scoring outcome.
Final Score Prediction: Sabres 4, Sharks 3
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Wednesday.
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