This season has been a period of rebuilding, growth and developing the team’s skills. The San Jose Sharks have struggled to find themselves out of the bottom of the league. Each game, win or lose, is never the same in the end.

- The Sharks are in eighth place in the Pacific Division with 34 points and a record of 14-27-6. San Jose is 1-4-0 in their last five games. - Mikael Granlund leads the Sharks in assists (25) and points (37) in his second season with San Jose.

Adam Fantilli's points streak has now reached seven games for the Blue Jackets while Ross Colton finds himself back on the Avalanche's top line.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each. We’ll also break down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in.

The NHL is just about halfway through its season, and with that, there have been plenty of impressive first-year players. The Calder Trophy, given to the best rookie, should be a tight race between several candidates.

The San Jose Sharks will look to right the ship after a disappointing loss on Thursday with a victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday.

We are firmly into the second half with a neck-and-neck-and-neck race for the top of the fantasy podium. Connor Hellebuyck will surely start getting some additional rest later in the season, so ...

THROUGH GAMES OF SATURDAY, JAN. 18, 2025

William Eklund hasn’t won a lot in his NHL career, but he’s becoming a winning player for the San Jose Sharks.

Nico Sturm scored a short-handed goal, and Jan Rutta, Mikael Granlund, Tyler Toffoli and Mario Ferraro added goals for San Jose, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Rookie Macklin Celebrini had two assists as the Sharks won for just the fourth time in 18 games. Alexandar Georgiev made 25 saves.

William Eklund hasn’t won a lot in his career, but he’s becoming a winning player. The offense is obvious: The San Jose Sharks winger put up three points in a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, highlighted by this brilliant pass to Nico Sturm.

San Jose Sharks visit Little Caesars Palace to take on the Detroit Red Wings. Jan Rutta and Nico Sturm and William Eklund and Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli and Mario Ferraro scored, and the Sharks won 6-3.