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Sharks vs. Ducks prediction: Why Anaheim is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [4/9/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get San Jose Sharks vs Anaheim Ducks predictions for NHL Thursday.
NHL action continues on Thursday at 10:00 PM ET as the San Jose Sharks take on the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model predicts the Ducks as the most likely winner of the Sharks vs. Ducks game.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Sharks vs. Ducks prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Sharks and Ducks, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives the Ducks a 57% chance of beating the Sharks.
According to our model, the Sharks (+1.5) have a 63% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has a 51% chance of going over.
Sharks vs. Ducks odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Sharks | Ducks |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-160) | -1.5 (+142) |
| Moneyline | +140 | -162 |
| Total | o6.5 (-134) | u6.5 (+120) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Sharks vs. Ducks 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Sharks +1.5 | -160 |
| Moneyline | Sharks | +140 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | +120 |
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. Ducks player props
Who will score a goal in Sharks vs. Ducks?
According to our model, Macklin Celebrini is most likely to score an anytime goal in Sharks vs. Ducks.
Our projections give Celebrini a 43.0% chance of scoring a goal at Honda Center, while the star is an 8.7% chance of registering the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
San Jose Sharks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 43.0% |
| Will Smith | 28.0% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 26.5% |
| Kiefer Sherwood | 23.8% |
| Alexander Wennberg | 19.1% |
Anaheim Ducks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Leo Carlsson | 34.8% |
| Chris Kreider | 32.9% |
| Mikael Granlund | 28.6% |
| Troy Terry | 28.0% |
| Alex Killorn | 26.3% |
First goal scorer predictions
San Jose Sharks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 8.7% |
| Will Smith | 5.1% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 4.7% |
| Kiefer Sherwood | 4.5% |
| William Eklund | 3.3% |
Anaheim Ducks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Chris Kreider | 6.0% |
| Leo Carlsson | 6.0% |
| Mikael Granlund | 5.6% |
| Troy Terry | 5.2% |
| Beckett Sennecke | 4.9% |
Sharks vs. Ducks game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's matchup between the Ducks and Sharks at Honda Center is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM ET.
- Who: San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00PM PT
- Venue: Honda Center
Conclusion
We predict the Ducks, with a 57% 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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