The excitement builds as the NHL regular season rolls on, with a thrilling matchup on March 21, 2025, where the San Jose Sharks will host the Carolina Hurricanes at the SAP Center in San Jose. The game is set to begin at 5:30 PM Moscow time, and both teams are heading in different directions heading into this crucial match.
The San Jose Sharks have had a tumultuous season so far. With only three victories in their last ten matches, the struggles of head coach Ryan Worsovsky's team are becoming evident. In their last outing, the Sharks fell to the Washington Capitals in a disappointing 1-5 loss, with Selebrini netting the only goal for the team. Currently, the Sharks sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, amassing a mere 45 points after 68 games and maintaining a stark goal difference of 178 scored against 255 allowed. Their top scorers, Selebrini (21 goals, 29 assists) and Eklund (14 goals, 35 assists), are working tirelessly, but their efforts alone may not be enough to lift the team out of the doldrums.
Despite playing on home ice in San Jose, the Sharks have been far from impressive, winning only two of their last ten games in front of their fans. San Jose's lineup is expected to include Georgiev, Mukhamadullin, Ferraro, Toffoli, Selebrini, and Eklund, but they will be without injured players Couture and Rutta in this critical matchup.
On the other side of the ice, the Carolina Hurricanes are riding high, boasting a six-game winning streak that has propelled them into second place in the Eastern Conference standings. With an impressive 86 points after 67 games, the Hurricanes have demonstrated a well-rounded offensive strategy, evidenced by their recent 5-0 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. The stars of the night included Yankowski, who scored twice, along with supporting performances from Hall, Aho, Gostisbehere, and Robinson who contributed significantly to the scoreboard.
With 217 goals scored and only 178 allowed, the Hurricanes are clearly in strong form. Their leading scorers, Aho (25 goals, 39 assists) and Jarvis (26 goals, 39 assists), have been in fine fettle, helping the team establish a powerful presence on the ice. Carolina's visiting record stands solid, having won five of their last ten away games. The roster for this match is likely to feature Kochetkov, Burns, Slavin, Jarvis, Aho, and Blake, while they will unfortunately miss out on key players like Carrier, Fast, and Orlov due to injuries.
Of particular interest in the match-up is the potential participation of Andrei Svechnikov, a forward for the Hurricanes. After missing three games due to an upper-body injury, his return could be a game-changer. Rod Brind'Amour, the team's head coach, commented on Svechnikov's progress, saying, "Injuries happen, but we always have players ready to step up and do their jobs. We compensate for losses, and we are currently managing it the same way," according to NHL Press Service. Furthermore, Brind'Amour noted, "We'll see how he feels. If he doesn’t practice with us, that signals he probably won’t play." This uncertainty adds an extra layer of anticipation to the match.
The historical context of the Sharks and Hurricanes clash indicates a clear advantage for Carolina, who has dominated their recent meetings with six consecutive wins over San Jose. However, Sharks fans can take solace in the fact that on their home turf at SAP Center, San Jose has managed to win six out of the last ten matchups against Carolina, suggesting a glimmer of hope for the struggling team.
As the game approaches, all eyes will be on whether Svechnikov will take the ice and contribute to a Hurricanes victory or whether the Sharks can find a way to leverage their home advantage to snap out of their ongoing slump. With Carolina's momentum and San Jose's need for a turnaround, the stakes couldn't be higher.
The forecast for this matchup favors Carolina with a prediction of a Hurricanes win, currently reflected in odds of 1.65 according to WinLine. The road ahead looks challenging for the Sharks as they attempt to rebound against a Hurricanes team that has proven lethal in recent weeks.
