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Sharks vs. Oilers prediction: Why Edmonton is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/29/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get San Jose Sharks vs Edmonton Oilers predictions for NHL Thursday.
NHL action continues on Thursday at 9:00 PM ET as the San Jose Sharks take on the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place.
The championship matchup pairs two 14–3 teams coming off sharply contrasting conference title games, with New England advancing through a low-scoring, snow-filled AFC Championship win over Denver and Seattle earning its place after a 31–27 NFC Championship thriller against the Rams.
The clash also spotlights two offensive focal points, with Drake Maye guiding New England through a composed, run-focused AFC title performance and Jaxon Smith-Njigba entering as Seattle’s primary playmaker following a 153-yard, one-touchdown outing in the NFC Championship.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model predicts the Oilers as the most likely winner of the Sharks vs. Oilers game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Sharks vs. Oilers prediction: Who will win?
Using innovative machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Sharks and Oilers 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Oilers a 63% chance of defeating the Sharks.
According to our model, the 6.5-goal over/under has a 57% chance of going over.
Sharks vs. Oilers odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Sharks | Oilers |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +160 | -185 |
| Total | o6.5 (-154) | u6.5 (+136) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Sharks vs. Oilers picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Sharks | +160 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | +136 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
Sharks vs. Oilers player props
Who will score a goal in Sharks vs. Oilers?
According to our model, Leon Draisaitl is most likely to score an anytime goal in Sharks vs. Oilers.
Our projections give Draisaitl a 47.6% chance of scoring a goal at Rogers Place, while the star is a 9.8% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
San Jose Sharks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 35.1% |
| Pavol Regenda | 33.3% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 26.9% |
| Will Smith | 25.6% |
| Collin Graf | 22.3% |
Edmonton Oilers
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Leon Draisaitl | 47.6% |
| Connor McDavid | 46.8% |
| Zach Hyman | 45.9% |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | 25.1% |
| Jack Roslovic | 21.8% |
First goal scorer predictions
San Jose Sharks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 6.5% |
| Pavol Regenda | 6.2% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 4.8% |
| Will Smith | 4.3% |
| Collin Graf | 3.9% |
Edmonton Oilers
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Leon Draisaitl | 9.8% |
| Zach Hyman | 9.2% |
| Connor McDavid | 9.1% |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | 4.4% |
| Evan Bouchard | 3.9% |
Sharks vs. Oilers game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's game between the Oilers and Sharks at Rogers Place is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM ET.
- Who: San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
- Time: 9:00 PM ET/6:00PM PT
- Venue: Rogers Place
Conclusion
We predict the Oilers, with a 63% win probability, will likely beat the Sharks on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Sharks vs. Oilers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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