Winnipeg Jets vs San Jose Sharks Pick & Preview - 3/1/2026
Updated July 9, 2026
The Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks meet on Sunday in a Western Conference regular-season clash at the SAP Center in San Jose. The Sharks are closer to playoff contention than the Jets, which nobody would have expected before the start of the season. Can San Jose pick up another win over a Western Conference opponent here? Continue reading to get my Jets vs Sharks prediction for Sunday's matchup.
Pick: Winnipeg Jets Moneyline ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Winnipeg has been slightly better than San Jose in recent contests, sporting a roughly even last 10 that includes wins over the Vancouver Canucks and a close loss to the Ducks that went to overtime. The Jets have recorded a 4-3-3 record in their last 10, and have a win and an overtime loss after the Olympic break. San Jose’s recent stretch shows more inconsistency, including a five-game skid before an emotional 5-4 home win over Edmonton on Saturday that snapped their slide. The Sharks have gone 4-5-1 over the last 10 games.
Winnipeg’s projected starter, Connor Hellebuyck, has posted solid numbers at various points this season, and is coming off a heroic performance that got him a gold medal with Team USA in Milan. When Hellebuyck plays, he helps make up for the Jets’ less consistent defensive showings. San Jose’s Yaroslav Askarov has struggled with consistency, reflected in a sub .890 save percentage and goals against average north of 3.50. That discrepancy in net performance gives Winnipeg a statistical advantage heading into this matchup despite home ice being on the Sharks’ side.
Winnipeg’s offense revolves around Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Cole Perfetti, with Scheifele leading the Jets in points and primary scoring chances. Their ability to generate offense against the shaky San Jose defense and goaltending will be critical. For San Jose, dynamic forwards like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith provide scoring, but the Sharks have shown a tendency to give up big chances that opposing scorers have exploited.
With a slight edge in recent play, a more stable goaltending outlook, and superior offensive weapons, the Winnipeg Jets look like the more reliable selection in this California road game. San Jose’s recent breakthrough win should give them confidence, but their inconsistencies and playing on the second game of a back-to-back could hurt them severely here. I am backing Winnipeg straight up in this Western Conference matchup on the ice.
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