Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the San Jose Sharks. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks
2025-2026 Season Series: San Jose 2-0 Vancouver
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 7:00 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNP, NBCSCA, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice
Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Recently traded Kiefer Sherwood makes a possible return to Vancouver just eight days after he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. San Jose sits at 26-21-3 after 50 games, with 55 points, while Vancouver sits at 17-30-5 after 52 games, with 39 points. This is the third of four meetings between these two teams. The Sharks won the previous two meetings, 6-3 on December 27th, and 3-2 on November 28th.
The Sharks Story
San Jose is in the midst of a tight Western wild card race, with the LA Kings and Seattle Kraken in shouting distance of them. The good thing for them is that the pressure to make the playoffs isn’t sky high. The Sharks are having a ton of fun this season, with the breakout year of Macklin Celebrini, and the playoffs would be a solid bonus for them. Celebrini, the North Vancouver native, leads his team with 74 points in 50 games, and could be in the conversation for the Hart Trophy, should the Sharks make the playoffs.
Another story here would be having former Canuck Kiefer Sherwood making his return to Vancouver, just shortly after being traded to San Jose. Whether he will play or not remains in question as of Tuesday morning, but we’re sure he’d love to face his former team.
The Canucks Story
Vancouver continues to lose regularly, cementing their 32nd spot in the NHL standings. Fans on the tank brigade can rest easy knowing that they are still eight points back of the 31st team. The Canucks come into this matchup having lost 13 of the last 14 games, but as they have gotten healthier over the last couple of games, the games have been closer and more competitive. That is all Canucks fans can hope for. Good health and good effort. However, they have been struck with some bad news yet again.
On the health front, the Canucks are dealing with a flu or cold bug around the locker room lately. Numerous players have been under the weather, including Tom Willander, who was scratched last game due to illness.
You can tell the #Canucks have something going through their room at the moment. Jake DeBrusk barely had any voice to talk to the media and EP40 sounded noticeably sick too. Tom Willander was scratched due to illness tonight too.
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) January 26, 2026
In addition, Brock Boeser and Zeev Buium have been placed on injured reserve as of yesterday. Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Victor Mancini have been called up, which is an opportunity for them to showcase their talents to the big club.
Starting Goalies
Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
The Sharks will likely start Yaroslav Askarov in net. His numbers have been middling this season. He has a 16-13-1 record, a 3.51 goals-against-average, and a .890 save percentage.
For Vancouver, we expect Kevin Lankinen to get his fifth consecutive start. In 28 games this season, he has a record of 7-16-4, a 3.44 goals-against average, and an .884 save percentage.
Prediction and Best Bets
The Sharks are a young, up-and-coming team that plays a high-event style of hockey. With two teams that are both ranked in the bottom three for goals against, expect a high-scoring game with some sloppy play. Hopefully, it will be an entertaining game at the very least. San Jose should take this one, as they are a desperate team needing every point they can get.
Prediction: Sharks win 5-4.
Best Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Sharks, who else but Team Canada Olympian Macklin Celebrini? On the Canucks side, we will pick Drew O’Connor to chip in with a goal.
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Main Photo: Bob Frid-Imagn Images