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Sharks vs. Jets prediction: Why Winnipeg is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [4/16/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get San Jose Sharks vs Winnipeg Jets predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Winnipeg Jets will take on the San Jose Sharks in NHL action at Canada Life Centre on Thursday, starting at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model predicts the Jets as the most likely winner of the Sharks vs. Jets game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Sharks vs. Jets prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Sharks and Jets, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently gives the Jets a 59% chance of beating the Sharks.
According to our model, the Sharks (+1.5) have a 63% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6.5 goals has a 54% chance of staying under.
Sharks vs. Jets odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Sharks | Jets |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-180) | -1.5 (+158) |
| Moneyline | +136 | -160 |
| Total | o6.5 (+102) | u6.5 (+102) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Sharks vs. Jets picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Jets -1.5 | +158 |
| Moneyline | Sharks | +136 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | +102 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Sharks vs. Jets player props
Who will score a goal in Sharks vs. Jets?
According to our model, Kyle Connor is most likely to score an anytime goal in Sharks vs. Jets.
Our projections give Connor a 42.5% chance of scoring a goal at Canada Life Centre, while the star is a 9.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
San Jose Sharks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 39.2% |
| Igor Chernyshov | 27.1% |
| Will Smith | 26.0% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 21.9% |
| Kiefer Sherwood | 20.8% |
Winnipeg Jets
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kyle Connor | 42.5% |
| Mark Scheifele | 39.4% |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 33.9% |
| Cole Perfetti | 29.1% |
| Jonathan Toews | 21.7% |
First goal scorer predictions
San Jose Sharks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 8.4% |
| Igor Chernyshov | 5.1% |
| Will Smith | 4.7% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 3.9% |
| Kiefer Sherwood | 3.8% |
Winnipeg Jets
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kyle Connor | 9.6% |
| Mark Scheifele | 7.7% |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 6.3% |
| Cole Perfetti | 5.3% |
| Jonathan Toews | 3.6% |
Sharks vs. Jets game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Jets and Sharks at Canada Life Centre is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: San Jose Sharks vs. Winnipeg Jets
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Canada Life Centre
Conclusion
We predict the Jets, with a 59% win probability, will likely beat the Sharks in Thursday's NHL matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
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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