Tomorrow, April 11, 25: San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, Odds, and Picks

The story of two completely different franchises will play out again Friday night as the San Jose Sharks travel to Edmonton to take on the Oilers at Rogers Place. One team is closing the chapter on another brutal rebuilding season. The other is sprinting toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs with their top-tier talent peaking at the right time. This April 11 showdown is a mismatch on paper, but with postseason positioning and pride at stake, it still deserves a closer look—especially for bettors and fans trying to read the pulse of both clubs.

Game Details

• Matchup: San Jose Sharks (21-52-6) vs. Edmonton Oilers (47-28-4)
• Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
• Time: 9:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM MT
• Venue: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta
• Broadcast: ESPN+, Sportsnet West, NBC Sports California

The Oilers’ Final Tune-Up Before the Grind

For the Edmonton Oilers, this isn’t just another game. It’s a dress rehearsal. Jay Woodcroft’s squad is charging toward the playoffs with one of the league’s most explosive offenses and the two-headed monster of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl playing elite hockey.

Since the All-Star break, the Oilers have been one of the NHL’s best teams, stringing together a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 games. Their most recent victory—a 4-2 triumph over Vegas—showed grit and timely execution, especially in the third period.

They’ve locked in a playoff spot, but their seeding remains fluid. A win Friday strengthens their hold on the Pacific Division’s second seed, which would likely draw a favorable first-round matchup. In short: this game matters for Edmonton.

Power Play Still Deadly

The Oilers own the NHL’s second-best power play at nearly 28%. Against a San Jose penalty kill that ranks 30th, Edmonton’s man-advantage units could feast.

San Jose: A Team Learning on the Fly

There’s no nice way to put it—the Sharks are limping to the finish line. Sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings, their 2024-25 season has been a painful but necessary process. The organization is firmly in rebuild mode, emphasizing youth and player development over short-term wins.

But even that long-view process hasn’t shielded them from criticism. They’ve lost five straight and are coming off a 6-1 thumping in Calgary. Their goaltending has been inconsistent. Their defensive coverage disappears far too often. And when they fall behind, they rarely claw back.

A Silver Lining in Will Smith

Rookie center Will Smith, however, is turning heads. The 2023 fourth-overall pick has been a bright spot, showing tremendous skating ability, puck vision, and offensive IQ. He’s the kind of franchise cornerstone that could help the Sharks build something sustainable… eventually.

Head-to-Head: Complete Oilers Control

• Season Series: Edmonton leads 2-0
• Last Game: March 18 – Oilers 7, Sharks 1
• Goals Scored (Head-to-Head): Edmonton 14, San Jose 3

The numbers don’t lie. Edmonton has outclassed San Jose in every department. Their speed, puck movement, and physicality have overwhelmed the Sharks. If anything, the Oilers have looked like they’re skating downhill every time these two meet.

Key Players to Watch

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid – Center

McDavid has torched the Sharks all season. In their last matchup, he posted a casual four-point night. The captain is locked in and motivated with the playoffs looming.

• 2024-25 Stats: 32 G, 84 A, 116 PTS

Leon Draisaitl – Center

Powerful. Precise. Lethal on the power play. Draisaitl has found his stride again and makes teams pay when they focus too heavily on McDavid.

• 2024-25 Stats: 40 G, 61 A, 101 PTS

Evan Bouchard – Defense

He’s quarterbacking the power play, pushing the pace at 5-on-5, and evolving into one of the league’s most dynamic offensive defensemen.

• 2024-25 Stats: 17 G, 45 A, 62 PTS

San Jose Sharks

Will Smith – Center

He’s becoming the face of the rebuild. Smith leads the team in rookie scoring and has been one of the few consistent producers.

• 2024-25 Stats: 15 G, 29 A, 44 PTS

Fabian Zetterlund – Forward

Zetterlund’s a grinder who’s occasionally flashed offensive potential, but his two-way game has been tested against top-six opponents.

• 2024-25 Stats: 19 G, 21 A, 40 PTS

Mackenzie Blackwood – Goalie

Blackwood has seen more rubber than any netminder should. His .891 save percentage doesn’t reflect some of the heroics he’s had to perform nightly.

Odds and Lines (via FanDuel, April 10)

• Moneyline:
  • Oilers: -450
  • Sharks: +350
• Puck Line:
  • Oilers -1.5: -190
  • Sharks +1.5: +160
• Over/Under: 6.5
  • Over: -115
  • Under: -105

These odds underscore the mismatch. Edmonton as a -450 favorite is one of the largest lines of the season. But even at this steep price, it’s hard to argue with oddsmakers.

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Best Bets and Expert Picks

Oilers -1.5 (-190)

Edmonton has won both prior meetings this season by at least five goals. With home-ice advantage and playoff motivation, expect another multi-goal win. The puck line still offers some value.

Over 6.5 Goals (-115)

Both prior matchups between these teams hit the over. The Oilers may clear this line on their own, and a couple garbage-time goals from San Jose could help.

McDavid to Score Anytime (-135)

He’s averaging nearly two points per game against San Jose and could bury one early on the power play. Ride the hot stick.

What’s at Stake?

Edmonton Oilers

• Trying to lock in a top-two seed
• Maintaining rhythm ahead of playoffs
• Building confidence against weaker competition

San Jose Sharks

• Development minutes for the youth
• Draft positioning
• Evaluating who’s worth building around

Matchup X-Factors

Edmonton: Pacing and Special Teams

The Oilers’ tempo, puck possession, and elite special teams make them a nightmare matchup. If they get two early goals, this could spiral fast.

San Jose: Staying Composed

If the Sharks can avoid penalties and slow the game down, they may hang around longer than expected. But against McDavid and Draisaitl, that’s a big “if.”

Injury Report (as of April 10)

Edmonton

• Ryan McLeod (day-to-day, lower body) – Questionable
• Vincent Desharnais (upper body) – OUT
• Evander Kane – Game-time decision

San Jose

• Logan Couture (groin) – OUT for season
• Alexander Barabanov (upper body) – OUT
• Mario Ferraro (undisclosed) – Day-to-day

Projected Starting Goalies

• Edmonton: Stuart Skinner (30-13-3, 2.76 GAA, .912 SV%)
• San Jose: Mackenzie Blackwood (12-28-4, 3.45 GAA, .891 SV%)

Skinner’s been dialed in lately, while Blackwood will once again be asked to do too much.

Oilers 6, Sharks 2

Edmonton should take care of business at home. The only real question is how much they want to push the gas pedal with the playoffs looming. Expect another fast start and a flood of offense from the Oilers’ top six. San Jose may grab a couple goals late, but this one won’t be close.

The Oilers aren’t just better—they’re in a different galaxy than the Sharks. San Jose fans are watching for glimpses of a better future. Edmonton fans are counting down to May hockey. One team is stuck in neutral. The other is revving for a playoff run. This game might not be close, but it will be telling. Expect the Oilers to make a statement, both on the scoreboard and to the rest of the Western Conference.

Prediction:

• Oilers win
• Cover puck line (-1.5)
• Over 6.5 goals cashes
• McDavid scores