In the heart of the
NHL season,
Edmonton Oilers gear up to face the
San Jose Sharks on April 12, 2025. Both teams find themselves at a pivotal juncture, with the Oilers aiming to maintain their playoff position while the Sharks look to salvage a challenging season. The game is set to bring a fierce competition to the ice, as these teams have a storied history of closely contested matchups.
Roster Rundown
Edmonton's lineup boasts some heavy hitters. Connor McDavid remains the centerpiece, having racked up an impressive 120 points this season. He’s the engine that keeps the Oilers' offense humming. Leon Draisaitl, not far behind McDavid, has tallied 45 goals, showcasing his knack for finding the net. Defenseman Evan Bouchard contributes with solid blue-line play, adding 20 assists to his name. In goal, Stuart Skinner has been steady, posting a .915 save percentage. Notably absent are Brett Kulak, dealing with a lingering injury, and Mattias Ekholm, who’s out due to personal reasons.
San Jose's roster features Tyler Toffoli, who brings veteran presence and 35 goals to the Sharks' forward group. Nico Sturm provides grit and two-way play, with 22 assists this season. On defense, Mario Ferraro anchors the blue line, known for his defensive reliability. In net, Alexandar Georgiev faces the task of holding down the crease, maintaining a .908 save percentage. Missing from the lineup are Timothy Liljegren, nursing a lower-body injury, and young forward William Eklund, sidelined with an upper-body issue.
Head-to-Head
History leans slightly towards Edmonton, with the Oilers winning 30 out of their 54 meetings, the Sharks 24. Their last encounter saw Edmonton narrowly edging out San Jose 3-2, a testament to the tight contests these teams often play.
Recent Form
Edmonton's recent slate has been a mixed bag. They lost to Anaheim Ducks (3-2) and Los Angeles Kings (3-0) but bounced back with wins against Vegas Golden Knights (3-2) and Calgary Flames (3-2), before sneaking past San Jose 3-2. The Sharks, on the other hand, have struggled, dropping a series of games to Calgary Flames (3-2), Seattle Kraken (5-1),
Edmonton Oilers (3-2), and Los Angeles Kings (8-1), with a lone win against Anaheim Ducks (4-3).
Wrap-Up
Edmonton sits in a more favorable spot in the standings, having shown resilience with recent victories over conference rivals. They've got a well-rounded attack, spearheaded by McDavid and Draisaitl, who are always a threat to opposing defenses. San Jose's recent form paints a different picture, as their defensive woes and inconsistent performances weigh heavily on their playoff aspirations. The Sharks need to tighten up defensively, with Georgiev shouldering much of the load between the pipes.
Summary
Given the Oilers' recent surge and the Sharks’ ongoing struggles, Edmonton holds the upper hand. Their potent offensive duo and recent successes suggest they’re well-positioned to claim another win. For San Jose, it’s an uphill battle; unless they can shore up their defense and capitalize on scoring opportunities, Edmonton's firepower might prove too much to handle. The Oilers, with their current momentum, are primed to continue their playoff push with a calculated performance against San Jose.
Match Odds Edmonton Oilers – San Jose Sharks
Leon's odds are 1.2 on Edmonton Oilers prevailing on their territory.
At this moment our odds are equal to 26 on San Jose Sharks visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are 5.
