Vancouver vs San Jose Prediction 28 January 2026
🔊 Vancouver's incredibly long home stretch continues with a matchup against San Jose. Can the NHL's worst team secure their third win of the month, or are the Canucks already focused on next season? We break down this Western Conference showdown on January 28.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past five years, these teams have faced off 17 times, with the Canucks claiming victory in 14 of those encounters, while the Sharks have won 3. The Sharks' record could have been worse if not for the Canucks' struggles this season-San Jose won both meetings (3-2 and 6-3). At their home venue, Rogers Arena, Vancouver had not lost to this opponent in nine consecutive games-a streak that lasted six years until their defeat in December.
Head-to-head statistics Vancouver - San Jose
Vancouver Canucks Team Overview
The Canucks have been settled at Rogers Arena for nearly two weeks and will remain there for another five days. However, the familiar surroundings haven't improved Vancouver's dire situation much-they have just one win in 14 games, a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals. Recently, though, their losses have been less lopsided: after a 0-5 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs and a 0-6 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, they narrowly lost 4-5 to the New Jersey Devils and 2-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. But that offers little solace.
With just 39 points, Vancouver are undoubtedly the worst team in the NHL and are already contemplating a rebuild, much like the New York Rangers are considering a reset in the East. The Canucks struggle across almost all metrics-they've been labeled as the team with the most goals conceded (190 goals, averaging 3.65 per game) and one of the weakest offenses (135 goals scored, averaging 2.6 per game).
Adding to their woes, Vancouver are plagued by injuries-after the New Jersey game, they lost defenseman Tom Willander, and after facing Pittsburgh, Zeev Buium was sidelined. Derek Forbort and Thatcher Demko remain unavailable to the coaching staff. On a positive note, defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph has returned to action.
Match Results: Vancouver Canucks
San Jose Sharks Team Overview
The Sharks have been alternating between wins and losses for over two weeks now. Late last week, they secured a victory on home ice against the Eastern Conference's bottom team, the New York Rangers, with a 3-1 scoreline, and managed to climb into the playoff zone through a wild-card spot, boasting 55 points from 50 games.
Since Christmas, San Jose's players have embarked on a seven-game road trip. Their winning streak on the road began in Vancouver with a 6-3 triumph and extended through four consecutive victories. However, their results have since lacked consistency.
The return of defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and forward Kiefer Sherwood is on the horizon, with Ty Dellandrea and Philipp Kurashev set to rejoin the lineup before the Olympic break. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Will Smith has been delivering impressive performances post-injury, tallying 2 goals and 2 assists over four games.
Match Results: San Jose Sharks
⚡️ Leaders
The Canucks' top scorer is Elias Pettersson with 13 goals and 18 assists. Philip Hronek, the defenseman, leads the Canadian club in assists with 26. Latvian forward Theodor Blugers, who missed much of the season due to injury, has scored in two consecutive NHL games.
The Sharks' main star is Macklin Celebrini. The 19-year-old forward, seemingly unaffected by the sophomore slump, ranks among the top four scorers in the NHL this season with 26 goals and 48 assists in 50 games. Celebrini surpassed the 50-goal mark for the club faster than anyone in Sharks history, achieving this in just 120 games, thanks to his brace against the Rangers.
🥅 Goalies
The NHL's most conceding team has already utilized four goaltenders. Thatcher Demko has been the most reliable in terms of save percentage, though he is expected to return only after the Olympic break. Recently, the primary responsibility has fallen on Kevin Lankinen, who deserves credit for having more positive performances than poor ones. With an average of 29 shots on goal per game, Lankinen ranks among the top ten most tested goalies in the league.
The Sharks have a higher winning percentage with Yaroslav Askarov, although their last three losses occurred with the Russian in net. Consequently, the San Jose coaching staff has been turning more frequently to Alex Nedeljkovic, who has allowed only four goals and made 84 saves across three games.
Editorial Prediction
Vancouver, who dominated their rivals for six consecutive years, are no longer the same force - which is why it's surprising that bookmakers offer attractive odds on a San Jose victory. The teams have different objectives - the Canucks are already considering how to build their roster for next season, while the Sharks are fighting desperately for a playoff spot. Motivation will be key in this matchup - we won't risk predicting a win in regulation and will opt for a San Jose win (including overtime and shootouts).
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Betting Tips: Vancouver Canucks - San Jose Sharks
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