Pittsburgh Penguins vs. San Jose Sharks Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 18, 2025

The Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2) close out their California road trip Saturday night at SAP Center against the San Jose Sharks (0-2-2), who are still searching for their first win of the season. Pittsburgh has won six of the past eight meetings and has averaged 4.6 goals per game in those matchups.

San Jose enters the matchup as the biggest long shot to win the Stanley Cup at +50000, while Pittsburgh is tied for the fourth-longest odds at +20000.

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Penguins off a win

The Penguins bounced back from back-to-back losses with a 4-2 win over Los Angeles on Thursday, led by a balanced offensive attack and steady goaltending. Center Filip Hallander scored his first NHL goal, which stood as the game-winner, while veterans Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue to pace the offense. Malkin leads the team with seven points and ranks tied for ninth in the league in scoring.

The Penguins’ power play has connected at a 23.1% rate through five games. On defense, goalie Tristan Jarry is expected to start again after posting a 1-1-0 record with a 3.55 goals-against average and .881 save percentage.

Sharks seeking first win

It has been a rough start for San Jose, which has dropped four straight while allowing an average of 5.3 goals per game. 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini has been a bright spot with five points in four games, and veteran Jeff Skinner leads the team with five goals.

Defensive issues and shaky goaltending continue to be a major problem, as Alex Nedeljkovic has struggled (4.46 GAA, .878 SV%) and Yaroslav Askarov could get the start after giving up five goals to Carolina.

The Sharks have shown flashes offensively, but this team has had serious problems for a long time. San Jose is 9-54 in its last 63 games following a loss of three or more goals, and 12-48 in its last 60 against teams with a winning record.

Pittsburgh Penguins at San Jose Sharks Predictions

Money Line Pick for Penguins vs. SHarks

• Penguins ML -140 (4 units)

Pittsburgh should control possession and tempo against a San Jose team that continues to search for stability. With Crosby and Malkin in sync and Erik Karlsson facing his former club, the Penguins’ veteran depth and special teams edge provide a clear path to victory. The Sharks’ defensive coverage and goaltending woes make them tough to back until they show signs of life.

Total Pick for Pens vs. Sharks

• Over 6.5 (4 units)

Both teams have leaned toward high-scoring outcomes. The Sharks have allowed at least four goals in all but one game this season, while the Penguins are averaging three goals per contest and finding consistency in their top six. Expect Pittsburgh to dictate the pace early and exploit San Jose’s turnover issues, making the over the stronger side of the total.