San Jose at Chicago

The Sharks are showing they are serious contenders to earn their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2019. They just finished their third consecutive winning month. The last time San Jose achieved that was from December 2018 to February 2019. Led by budding superstar Macklin Celebrini, who is fourth in the NHL in points, the Sharks have won 10 of their last 16 games. Chicago has dropped eight of its last 10 games, including its past five. Lack of scoring is once again hurting the Blackhawks this season. The Blackhawks are averaging only 1.8 goals a game during their last 12 contests. They rank 27th in scoring at 2.6 goals and are last in the league in shots on goal. The Sharks have scored three or more goals in 12 of their last 16 games. Chicago is 1-7 in its last eight home games. This is the first of three meetings between the teams. The Sharks won two of the three last season. Take the Sharks.