Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM CDT / 8:30 PM EDT
Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
TV/Streaming: CHSN (Blackhawks), NBC Sports California (Sharks regional), ESPN+ (national)
This Western Conference finale features two non-playoff teams wrapping up the 2025-26 regular season. The Sharks sit 5th in the Pacific Division and are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, while the Blackhawks are 8th in the Central Division and have been out of the playoff picture for weeks. Both clubs are playing for pride, lottery positioning, and momentum heading into the offseason.
Injury Report
San Jose Sharks (limited forward depth):
Ryan Reaves (RW): OUT (hand; week-to-week but listed out for this contest)
Logan Couture (C): OUT for season / long-term IR (groin/knee)
The Sharks are without veteran grit in the bottom six and rely heavily on their young core and call-ups. Goaltending rotation (Yaroslav Askarov or Alex Nedeljkovic) remains intact.
Chicago Blackhawks (significant forward and defensive absences):
Andrew Mangiapane (LW): OUT (undisclosed/lower body; day-to-day but unavailable)
Oliver Moore (C): OUT (lower body; long-term)
Artyom Levshunov (D): OUT for season (hand)
Shea Weber (D): OUT (long-term IR)
Chicago is skating with a depleted lineup, leaning on prospects and call-ups. Goaltender Spencer Knight or Drew Commesso is expected in net.
Recent Team Forms
San Jose Sharks: 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. They enter on a modest recovery after a three-game skid, highlighted by a 3-2 road win at Nashville (Apr 13), a 3-4 SO home loss to Vancouver (Apr 11), a 1-6 loss at Anaheim (Apr 9), and a 2-5 home loss to Edmonton (Apr 8). Offense has been led by their young stars, but defensive consistency has been an issue on the road (17-20-2 away).
Chicago Blackhawks: 1-8-1 in their last 10 games with a dismal -24 goal differential. They are mired in a lengthy losing skid, including recent defeats to Buffalo (5-1 on Apr 13), St. Louis (5-3), and Carolina (7-2). Chicago has struggled mightily to score and defend, particularly at home where they sit 13-19-8.
Series History
The 2025-26 season series is tied 1-1. San Jose won the most recent matchup 3-2 at SAP Center on Apr 6; Chicago took the earlier contest 6-3 on Feb 2 at United Center. All-time, the series is nearly even (Sharks hold a slight 60-56-5-4 edge across 120+ meetings). The Blackhawks are 1-4 SU in their last 5 home games vs. San Jose in recent seasons.
Key
Player Matchups to Watch
Sharks’ Top Line (Macklin Celebrini – others) vs. Blackhawks’ Defense: Celebrini has exploded in his second NHL season (~41-42 goals, 66 assists, 107+ points) and remains a dynamic two-way threat.
Chicago’s depleted blue line (missing Levshunov) will struggle to contain San Jose’s speed and skill.
Blackhawks’ Top Line (Connor Bedard – others) vs. Sharks’ Defense: Bedard continues to produce at an elite level (~30 goals, 42+ assists) despite the team’s struggles. San Jose’s structure must limit his transition game and creativity.
Goaltending: San Jose’s Askarov/Nedeljkovic duo has been serviceable; Chicago counters with Knight/Commesso. Expect a matchup that favors the Sharks’ overall depth and goaltending stability.
Betting Trends
Sharks are road favorites (~ -140 to -155 across books); Blackhawks +120 to +130 underdogs.
Total set around 6–6.5 goals (OVER trends in 6 of San Jose’s last 9 games; Blackhawks unders in recent low-output contests).
Sharks are 5-3-2 SU in their last 10 but 4-10 SU in their last 14 road games; Blackhawks are 1-8-1 in their last 10.
OVER has hit in 6 of San Jose’s last 9 overall and 3 of Chicago’s last 5 Wednesday games.
Sharks are 3-6 SU in their last 9 head-to-head meetings with Chicago.
Game Odds
San Jose Sharks – 125
Chicago Blackhawks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, April 14, 2026
